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ssherie_

Active member
I typically make my stuffed grape leaves with meat, but one of my New Year's goals is to not eat as much meat.

Can I simply use my normal recipe but get rid of the meat?

My gut is I might need more olive oil, maybe more herbs. I don't know, it might be helpful to see what people are doing.
 
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I typically make my stuffed grape leaves with meat, but one of my New Year's goals is to not eat as much meat.

Can I simply use my normal recipe but get rid of the meat?

My gut is I might need more olive oil, maybe more herbs. I don't know, it might be helpful to see what people are doing.
This recipe pretty much looks like the ones I eat. Just pack loads of herbs in with the rice. I like the thought of corn in there too: https://thegreekvegan.com/stuffed-grape-leaves-dolmades/
 
I typically make my stuffed grape leaves with meat, but one of my New Year's goals is to not eat as much meat.

Can I simply use my normal recipe but get rid of the meat?

My gut is I might need more olive oil, maybe more herbs. I don't know, it might be helpful to see what people are doing.
Hi ssherie
I don’t think you should use your regular recipe. If you were to omit the meat, you would definitely need to up your rice amount used. Also more water and salt would be need. A great recipe for dolmadakia gialatzi is in our book Cooking greek. -Pemi
 
Hi ssherie
I don’t think you should use your regular recipe. If you were to omit the meat, you would definitely need to up your rice amount used. Also more water and salt would be need. A great recipe for dolmadakia gialatzi is in our book Cooking greek. -Pemi
This is great advice. I have never had luck making vegetarian ones and I think that not having enough rice might be part of the issue!
 

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!

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?

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 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?
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