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Greek baking for Christmas season...

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d_kakavouli

d_kakavouli

Active member
I am getting ready to start baking my favorite Greek sweets for the holidays. I often give away pastries as hostess gifts for parties, gifts, etc.

I typically make baklava, melamakarona, kourabedies, this year I might also make koulourakia.

Out of curiosity, do any of you do the same? What do you make? I might want to add another one to my plan, or not bake one of the others to add something new.
 
k_tsoukalas

k_tsoukalas

Moderator
d_kakavouli said:
I am getting ready to start baking my favorite Greek sweets for the holidays. I often give away pastries as hostess gifts for parties, gifts, etc.

I typically make baklava, melamakarona, kourabedies, this year I might also make koulourakia.

Out of curiosity, do any of you do the same? What do you make? I might want to add another one to my plan, or not bake one of the others to add something new.
Click to expand...
How about ladokoulourakia made with plenty of spices? It's the closest thing in Greek baking that I can find to "gingerbread cookies". They're delicious.
 
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Saganaki - fun crowd pleaser for a dinner party

I love serving saganaki for some of my smaller dinner parties. This isn't a good recipe for me for a crowd because it is labor intensive. I thought I'd share my recipe!

Ingredients:

1 block of halloumi cheese
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your skillet over medium heat and add a tablespoon of olive oil.

2. Cut the halloumi cheese into ½ inch slices and lightly coat with all-purpose flour.

3. Place the cheese in the skillet and fry until golden brown on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Make sure to flip the cheese carefully to avoid breaking it.

4. Once the cheese is fully cooked, remove it from the skillet and place it on a plate.

5. Drizzle with lemon juice, sprinkle with oregano, salt, and pepper, and enjoy!

saganaki.jpg

Advice for making souvlaki for a crowd?

I am having a party and for some reason, people are requesting my souvlaki. I am thrilled that people love it, but I am having 30-40 people over. How do I pull this off?

Here are some things I am thinking:
  • Get help prepping - cutting the chicken can be time consuming - there might be two phases, I'll have to prep the skewers, too
  • Make a batch of ladolemono well in advance
  • Perhaps borrow another grill from my neighbor?
Has anyone ever done souvlaki for a party this size? I lost track of the guest list a little bit, there may actually be closer to 40, or maybe even more people than that. I have tried to nail people down so I can get a better count, but it's been hard.

Favorite Greek desserts to feed a crowd

I have gatherings year round, but I have more of them this time of year! I like to serve other desserts besides melamakarona, so I thought I would compile a list of some of my favorite choices:.

1. Baklava – This famous dessert is made by layering phyllo dough, chopped nuts (usually walnuts), and honey syrup. The crunchy layers of pastry and sweet, sticky filling will make your taste buds dance with delight. Baklava is perfect for serving at a party because it can be cut into small squares, making it easy for guests to enjoy.

2. Galaktoboureko – This dessert is a classic Greek custard pie, made by baking a creamy custard filling between layers of filo pastry. Once cooked, it is soaked in a sweet syrup made from honey and lemon juice. This dessert is best served warm and is perfect for a winter party.

3. Kataifi – This dessert is a close relative of baklava, but instead of using sheets of phyllo dough, it uses shredded phyllo dough that is wrapped around a variety of fillings like nuts or cream. Kadaifi is a perfect dessert because it can be filled with anything you like, making it easy to customize to your tastes.

4. Ekmek Kataifi – This dessert is a modern twist on traditional Greek pastries. Ekmek Kataifi is made from shredded phyllo dough, creamy custard, topped with whipped cream, and garnished with ground pistachios. It is delicious, refreshing, and perfect for a summertime party.

braised lamb shank was rubbery

All the braised lamb shank I have ever eaten has fallen off the bone - and that is why it is so delicious!

So, I tried to make it thinking it would be foolproof.

Something went wrong - it was tough and rubbery. I am wondering if it is something I did, or if maybe the lamb was a bit tougher than I would have liked.

I asked around and one thing someone asked me is if I cooked it enough. I didn't know how to answer that since I followed the directions, and I got the recipe from a family member whose lamb shank I always enjoyed. What do you think?

Some things to know:

- I am not sure I initially seared the meat long enough
- I held back on the salt in the recipe
- I was forced into using a larger shank than the recipe called for because I couldn't find smaller ones

Street corn like in Greece?

One of the things I like to eat on the street in Greece is the street corn. I have been trying to replicate making it at home because I grill all the time.

I can find corn year round, but I admit that it tastes so much better when the corn is in season.

Anyway, when I first started doing this, I didn't boil it first! I am pretty sure they boil the corn first in Greece. Is this true? It's starting to taste a little closer, but I have a few missing pieces.

How do they season it? I favor butter with corn, but when I use it, I admit it doesn't taste "right". Has anyone tried to make the corn at hime and can offer me some advice?

greek-street-corn.jpg
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