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Gather around to make Christopsomo this Christmas! (Greek Christmas bread)

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kosta_karapinotis

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This is one of my favourite things to make during Christmas because I don't like desserts that are super sweet. This bread is so tasty and kind of reminds me of tsoureki. The bread is super aromatic and has a great blend of spices that will make your house smell excellent when baking it! The recipe is pretty easy and I like to follow along using YouTube video so that I can see exactly what the baker is doing. Let me know if you like this one!

 
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I have never made this bread, but I do enjoy eating it. It tastes a bit like tsoureki to me, but that could be because of the spice used? I am not all that confident in my bread-making skills, so I am nervous to try making it, but this recipe does look pretty straightforward. It looks delicious, though!
 
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ladytina said:
I have never made this bread, but I do enjoy eating it. It tastes a bit like tsoureki to me, but that could be because of the spice used? I am not all that confident in my bread-making skills, so I am nervous to try making it, but this recipe does look pretty straightforward. It looks delicious, though!
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It definitely takes some practice. Once you do it once or twice, you will know how to get the texture right. With bread, sometimes you don't always need to follow the recipe because different brands of flour or butter for example will create different consistencies. I follow the recipe but I always add a little extra flour or water if I see that its too runny or thick.
 
I have some family memories of making this bread. I agree that it is tricky to get the texture right, but after making it a few times, you get a feel for how the dough is supposed to feel.
 
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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?

My Family’s Keftedes Recipe

Keftedes are one of those foods that always remind me of family gatherings. Everyone seems to make them a little differently, but this is the basic version my family has always used.

For about a pound of ground beef, we add one small grated onion, a handful of chopped fresh parsley, a little fresh mint, one egg, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, oregano, and a small splash of red wine vinegar. Sometimes we add a little grated garlic as well.

The important part is mixing everything well and then letting the mixture sit in the refrigerator for a little while before shaping the keftedes. We make them fairly small, roll them lightly in flour, and fry them in olive oil until browned on the outside and cooked through.

We usually serve them with lemon, potatoes, salad, or tzatziki.

How does your family make keftedes? I’m especially curious about which herbs and seasonings everyone uses. Thought I'd share!

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.

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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.

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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?

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.

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