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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!
 

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?

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?

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?

What Is the Best Way to Serve Taramosalata?

I absolutely love taramosalata and have it pretty regularly at home, but I’m having some people over soon and was wondering about the best way to serve it when entertaining.

Normally I just eat it with some bread or pita, so I don’t really put much thought into presentation. For guests, though, I’d like to make it part of a nice Greek-style spread with a few other things on the table. I was thinking warm pita triangles, crusty bread, maybe some cucumber and other vegetables for dipping, but I’m curious what everyone else usually serves with it.

Do you drizzle a little olive oil over the top or add any kind of garnish? And are there particular meze that you think pair especially well with taramosalata?

I’d love some ideas for making it look a little more special while still keeping everything traditional and simple.
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