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mj_toronto8

Active member
I thought I'd share a simple method for how I make saganaki. I have had different versions of this, I honestly like other versions better, but this is the easiest for me to do!

I slice one of these cheeses thick:

Kefalotyri, Graviera, or, Kefalograviera

Then I dip it in water on each side and coat it in flour that had been seasoned with salt and pepper.

I add olive oil to a small frying pan and set the heat on medium high. When the oil is hot I add the cheese. Basically, I sear it like I would anything else and serve it hot. It's fast and easy and a crowd pleaser - I do this when I have company.

I have never doused it in Ouzo and set it on fire like they do in restaurants, I am legitimately concerned I might burn my hair or something! Should I add this step, though? I could always tie my hair back...
 
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I thought I'd share a simple method for how I make saganaki. I have had different versions of this, I honestly like other versions better, but this is the easiest for me to do!

I slice one of these cheeses thick:

Kefalotyri, Graviera, or, Kefalograviera

Then I dip it in water on each side and coat it in flour that had been seasoned with salt and pepper.

I add olive oil to a small frying pan and set the heat on medium high. When the oil is hot I add the cheese. Basically, I sear it like I would anything else and serve it hot. It's fast and easy and a crowd pleaser - I do this when I have company.

I have never doused it in Ouzo and set it on fire like they do in restaurants, I am legitimately concerned I might burn my hair or something! Should I add this step, though? I could always tie my hair back...
This looks amazing! I will try it!
 
Thank you for sharing. It is an easy recipe but definitely seems like a yummy recipe.
 

Do you make your pastitsio with a thick or thin layer of krema?

I've always preferred my pastitsio with a nice, thick layer of béchamel on top. To me, that's one of the best parts of the dish! I love when the krema is rich, creamy, and thick enough to hold its shape when you cut into the pastitsio.

The problem is that I've been having trouble getting my krema just right. Sometimes it comes out too thin, and other times the texture isn't quite as smooth as I'd like. I've tried adjusting the amount of flour and milk, but I still haven't found the perfect balance.

I'm curious how everyone else makes theirs. Do you prefer a thick layer of béchamel or just enough to cover the pasta? Does your family add eggs or cheese to the mixture?

I'd especially love to hear any tips for making a thick, smooth krema that sets beautifully when baked!

Greek cooking without a recipe?

I've been thinking about how much traditional Greek cooking relies on instinct rather than following exact recipes. Some of the Greek dishes I learned to make were taught to me by feel, with someone showing me what to do rather than measuring everything out.

I actually enjoy cooking this way, but I've noticed that it can make certain dishes difficult to recreate consistently! Sometimes everything comes together perfectly, and other times I wonder what I did differently.

I'm curious how others approach this. Did you learn Greek cooking by watching your yiayia, mother, or other relatives? Do you measure ingredients, or do you just know when something looks, smells, or tastes right?

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?

Is lamb or beef more traditional for giouvetsi?

I've been looking into traditional Greek giouvetsi recipes lately, and I'm curious about which meat is considered the most traditional. I've seen recipes that use lamb, others that call for beef, and even some that use chicken.

I love the idea of slowly cooking the meat in a rich tomato sauce with orzo until everything becomes tender and flavorful. However, I'm wondering whether lamb or beef would be the more authentic choice.

Is one traditionally preferred in certain regions of Greece? I've read that lamb is often associated with older Greek recipes, but beef seems to be very common in modern versions of giouvetsi.

I'm also curious whether the choice of meat changes the way the dish is prepared. Does lamb require different seasonings or cooking times than beef?

For those familiar with traditional Greek cooking, which version do you prefer, and which would you recommend trying first?

Do you put potatoes in your briam?

I've noticed that there are quite a few variations of briam, especially when it comes to which vegetables people include. One ingredient I'm particularly curious about is potatoes. Do you always put potatoes in your briam, or do you prefer making it without them?

I usually think of briam as a combination of zucchini, eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and plenty of olive oil. I love how the potatoes absorb all those wonderful flavors as everything slowly roasts together in the oven.

However, I've seen recipes that leave the potatoes out entirely and focus more on the summer vegetables. I imagine that makes the dish a little lighter.

I'm also curious whether there are regional differences in how briam is prepared throughout Greece. Does your family have a particular way of making it? And what vegetables do you consider absolutely essential?
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