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Dolmadakia with or without meat?

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axariotisxy

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What do you guys prefer? Dolmadakia with or without meat?

dolmadakia.jpg
 
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With meat always!! That's how my family has always made it and that's how I prefer it :) I've noticed that outside of Greece, many Greek restaurants have dolmadakia without meat which I find a bit strange
 
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mitch said:
With meat. I have had the other in a salad. I make mine with meat topped with a avgolemono sause over it.
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Avgolemono is the best! I love it on lahanodolmades too
 
I’m a meat eater but prefer Dolmadakia without meat. I live in the UK and grow my own vines, especially for making Dolmadakia. I normally use rice, finely chopped pine nuts, finely chopped dried fruit (for example, raisins), oregano, lemon juice, a little garlic. It works for me and my friends seem to love them!??
 
My Aunt Sofia is from the island of Kassos. Her dolmadakia are the best. Meat, rice, lemons, arigani and grapevine leaves. Each dolmadaki is the size of a teaspoon. Placed in saucepan, lots of lemon, water, plate on top, low heat.
This is how I think she makes them. Aunt Sofia is 90 and not very forthcoming with her recipes. Our loss.
 
I prefer dolmadakia with meat and avgolemono. It is my son's favorite dish and my wife cooks it often.
 
Definitely with the meat, but I admire a good vegan version that has been made well. When making at home, I only ever use the standard meat and rice filling. I season mine with onion, salt, pepper, and spearmint. Delicious! That reminds me - it is getting to be that time of year here in New England to pick the grape leaves!
 
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Do You Put Cinnamon in Your Keftedes?

I’m curious how everyone here makes keftedes, especially when it comes to cinnamon. I know some Greek families add a little cinnamon to the meat mixture, while others would never think of putting it in.

In my experience, even a small amount can change the flavor quite a bit. It gives the keftedes a warmer, slightly sweeter spice in the background, but I can also see how it might not be for everyone. I’ve had versions that lean more heavily on oregano, mint, parsley, garlic, and onion instead.

Do you put cinnamon in your keftedes? If you do, how much do you usually use, and was that something your family always did? I’d also be curious to know if it varies depending on what part of Greece your family comes from.

Would love to hear how everyone seasons theirs and what you consider essential for really good keftedes.

How does your family season dolmades?

I’ve been thinking about how much dolmades can vary from one family to another, especially when it comes to seasoning. Even when the basic ingredients are similar, the flavor can be completely different depending on which herbs and spices are used.

How does your family season dolmades? Do you use mostly dill and parsley, or do you add mint as well? I’ve also seen recipes that include green onions, oregano, or even a little cinnamon, especially when meat is part of the filling.

I’m curious whether you season the rice mixture pretty heavily before rolling the grape leaves or keep it simple and let the lemon and olive oil provide most of the flavor. Does your family add lemon juice directly to the filling, or only during cooking and serving?

I’d especially love to hear about any regional or family traditions. What gives your dolmades their distinctive flavor?

Do You Make Avgolemono Thick or Brothy?

I usually prefer avgolemono somewhere in the middle. I don’t like it so thick that it feels almost like a cream soup, but I also don’t want it completely thin and brothy. For me, the best version has enough egg and lemon to give the broth some body while still keeping it light.

A lot probably depends on what kind of avgolemono you’re making, too. In chicken soup, I like it a little more brothy because I want the rice or orzo and chicken to still stand out. With something like lahanodolmades, I don’t mind the avgolemono sauce being thicker because it is coating the food rather than serving as the soup itself.

The lemon level matters just as much as the thickness. I like enough lemon to make it bright and noticeable, but not so much that it overwhelms everything else. I think balance is really the key.

How Much Garlic in a Batch of Tzatziki?

How much garlic do you usually put in a batch of tzatziki? I think I may be using a little too much. I usually make mine with about 2 cups of Greek yogurt and 4 cloves of garlic, along with cucumber, olive oil, and the other usual ingredients.

It tastes great when I first make it, but we usually take about three days to finish the batch. By the second or third day, the garlic flavor and smell become really strong. Some people in my household love that and don’t mind it at all, but others think it becomes a bit overpowering. I’m starting to agree that four cloves might be too much, especially since the garlic seems to get stronger as it sits.

What do you all do? How many cloves would you use for about 2 cups of Greek yogurt?

Do you make Greek lentil soup with vinegar

I’ve always made fakes with a splash of vinegar, either stirred into the pot near the end or added individually at the table. To me, that little bit of acidity is part of what makes the soup taste right, especially with the earthy lentils, olive oil, onion, garlic, and bay leaf.

But I have a Greek friend who makes hers very differently. She doesn’t use vinegar at all and instead adds quite a lot of tomato product, so her version is much redder and more tomato-forward than mine.

Now I’m curious about what is considered more traditional in Greek cooking. Is vinegar usually a standard part of fakes, or is it more of a regional or family preference? Are tomato-heavy versions just as traditional?

How do you make yours, and what did your family serve growing up?
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