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GreekGirlCooks

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I recently ate a really good gluten free moussaka. I am not gluten free, but it was actually delicious. I have a friend who is gluten free so I thought I'd make something for her.

The Krema was really creamy, almost like a potato puree made with cream. Could it be possible this is what they did? Or maybe they made a Krema with gluten free flour? I can't tell. Does anyone have any advice?
 
My wife simply substitutes Greek yoghurt (with a beaten egg & feta added) and tops with graviera.
But she does a terrific stove top version - I’d hate to say “deconstructed” - which involves cooking mince(beef is fine, as we all know) with garlic & finely chopped onion, diced aubergine, passata/tinned/diced fresh tomato’s & chickpeas. Then add uncooked rice (per person quantities) stock, cinnamon & Aleppo pepper or paprika. Cook covered on a low heat till the rice is al dente (but not chalky). Serve topped with Greek yoghurt (add crushed garlic if you like) and scatter a good, salty kefalotiri or aged graviera. Oh, and get the ouzo & ice out or retsina & sparkling water. Cooking’s thirsty work.
 
GreekGirl, have you googled gluten-free cream sauce or gluten-free Béchamel? Just did and came across several recipes, don't know how good they are, but there are sources out there.

Was it at someone's house or a restaurant where you had it? I would ask how it was made. Even at a restaurant, chefs or cooks are often willing to share how they make something.

Good luck in finding something that works.
 
It’s great that you enjoyed the gluten-free moussaka! There are a couple of ways the creamy Krema (béchamel sauce) might have been made gluten-free. One common method is using gluten-free flour to thicken the sauce, which can result in a texture similar to the traditional version. Another possibility, as you mentioned, is that they used a mashed potato base mixed with cream or even a combination of potatoes and gluten-free flour, giving it that extra creamy consistency.

If you're planning to make it for your friend, you could try either approach. Using mashed potatoes with a bit of cream would give a rich, comforting texture, while gluten-free flour can help you achieve a more classic béchamel. Both methods should work beautifully, and your friend will surely appreciate the effort!
 
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My wife simply substitutes Greek yoghurt (with a beaten egg & feta added) and tops with graviera.
But she does a terrific stove top version - I’d hate to say “deconstructed” - which involves cooking mince(beef is fine, as we all know) with garlic & finely chopped onion, diced aubergine, passata/tinned/diced fresh tomato’s & chickpeas. Then add uncooked rice (per person quantities) stock, cinnamon & Aleppo pepper or paprika. Cook covered on a low heat till the rice is al dente (but not chalky). Serve topped with Greek yoghurt (add crushed garlic if you like) and scatter a good, salty kefalotiri or aged graviera. Oh, and get the ouzo & ice out or retsina & sparkling water. Cooking’s thirsty work.
Wow, this sounds fantastic. I forget that Greek yogurt is a good stand-in. The deconstructed concept is great too - it looks easier! I am not gluten free but I think these hacks seem delicious.
 
My wife simply substitutes Greek yoghurt (with a beaten egg & feta added) and tops with graviera.
But she does a terrific stove top version - I’d hate to say “deconstructed” - which involves cooking mince(beef is fine, as we all know) with garlic & finely chopped onion, diced aubergine, passata/tinned/diced fresh tomato’s & chickpeas. Then add uncooked rice (per person quantities) stock, cinnamon & Aleppo pepper or paprika. Cook covered on a low heat till the rice is al dente (but not chalky). Serve topped with Greek yoghurt (add crushed garlic if you like) and scatter a good, salty kefalotiri or aged graviera. Oh, and get the ouzo & ice out or retsina & sparkling water. Cooking’s thirsty work.
Wow - this is a great idea!
 
GreekGirl, have you googled gluten-free cream sauce or gluten-free Béchamel? Just did and came across several recipes, don't know how good they are, but there are sources out there.

Was it at someone's house or a restaurant where you had it? I would ask how it was made. Even at a restaurant, chefs or cooks are often willing to share how they make something.

Good luck in finding something that works.
It was at a restaurant. I tried googling but got super overwhelmed. I will try asking the chef next time, I didn't think of that!
 

What is the secret to making really good Greek lemon potatoes?

I've been making Greek lemon potatoes for years, and it's one of those dishes I make completely by feel. I don't measure anything, and I never really thought about how I make them because it's all second nature to me.

Recently, I tried teaching someone how to make them. Everything seemed straightforward while we were cooking together, but when they went home and tried making them on their own, all kinds of things went wrong! The potatoes weren't cooking evenly, the texture wasn't quite right, and the lemon flavor didn't come through the way it should.

It made me realize how much I rely on instinct when cooking traditional Greek food. I rarely write down recipes, so explaining every little detail is harder than I expected!

For those who make Greek lemon potatoes regularly, what tips would you give someone who's just learning?

What herbs do you use when making Greek stuffed zucchini?

I've been thinking about making Greek stuffed zucchini (kolokithakia gemista), and I'm curious about which herbs everyone uses in the filling. I've seen quite a few variations, and it seems like the combination of herbs can really influence the overall flavor of the dish.

Some recipes use plenty of fresh dill and parsley, while others include mint or even a little oregano. I've also noticed that some people add green onions for extra flavor. I'm wondering whether certain herbs are considered more traditional, especially when making stuffed zucchini with rice and ground meat.

Do you use a combination of herbs, or do you prefer to keep the seasoning fairly simple? Does your family have a particular recipe that has been passed down through generations?

I'm especially interested in how the herbs complement the avgolemono sauce. What combination do you think gives Greek stuffed zucchini the best flavor?

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?

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 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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