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auroracoor1

Active member
I’m hosting Thanksgiving this year, and one of my guests is gluten-free. I’d love to include some Greek-style desserts on the menu as a nod to my love for Greek cuisine, but I’m not sure where to start with gluten-free baking.

Does anyone have tips or recipes for gluten-free Greek desserts? I was thinking about adapting classics like baklava with gluten-free phyllo dough (if that’s possible!) or trying something like almond cookies (amigdalota), which I believe are naturally gluten-free. Other ideas, like a gluten-free semolina substitute for halva or honey-drenched treats, would be amazing too.

I want something that feels festive and unique, while ensuring my gluten-free guest can enjoy it without worry. If you have any tried-and-true recipes or ideas, I’d love to hear them. Thanks!
 
ncluding gluten-free Greek desserts on your Thanksgiving menu is such a thoughtful touch! Here are a few ideas:

Amigdalota (Almond Cookies): These are naturally gluten-free and incredibly festive. They’re made with almond flour, sugar, and egg whites, and often flavored with orange blossom or rose water. They’re simple to make and always a hit.

Gluten-Free Baklava: Gluten-free phyllo dough can be tricky to find, but it’s worth it! Layer it with chopped nuts, cinnamon, and a honey syrup for a classic flavor. Alternatively, you could adapt the flavors into a baklava-inspired cheesecake or parfait.

Halva: Instead of semolina, use almond flour or a mix of gluten-free flours. It pairs beautifully with nuts and spices like cinnamon and cardamom for a rich, satisfying dessert.

Loukoumades (Honey Puffs): Use gluten-free flour blends to make these light, fried treats, then drizzle them with honey and sprinkle with cinnamon or sesame seeds.
 

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?

Favorite Greek Cheeses Beyond Feta

Feta gets most of the attention when people talk about Greek cheese, but there are so many other varieties worth trying. I’m curious which Greek cheeses everyone enjoys most beyond feta.

Graviera is one of my favorites because it works so well on a cheese plate, grated over dishes, or just eaten with bread. Kasseri is another one I really like, especially melted. I’ve also been interested in trying more regional cheeses like metsovone, manouri, kefalotyri, and formaela.

Some Greek cheeses seem to be much easier to find outside Greece than others, so I’d also love to know which ones people regularly buy and where they usually find them.

What Greek cheeses do you keep coming back to? Are there certain ones you associate with a particular region, dish, or family tradition? And if someone has mostly eaten feta, which Greek cheese would you recommend they try next?

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 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.

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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