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acamp7

Active member
Grilling season is here and I’d love to bring some Greek flavors to the BBQ this year! I know souvlaki is a classic, but I’m looking for more ideas to round out a full Greek-style cookout—meats, sides, dips, even grilled veggies or breads.

Have you ever made kontosouvli or grilled lamb ribs at home? What cuts of meat work best for that authentic Greek flavor? I’d also love tips on marinades—do you stick with lemon, oregano, and olive oil, or do you add mustard, garlic, or something else?

Any favorite grilled veggie combos? I’ve seen grilled halloumi, eggplant, and zucchini served at tavernas, but haven’t tried it myself. And what about dips? Thanks!
 
Grilling season is here and I’d love to bring some Greek flavors to the BBQ this year! I know souvlaki is a classic, but I’m looking for more ideas to round out a full Greek-style cookout—meats, sides, dips, even grilled veggies or breads.

Have you ever made kontosouvli or grilled lamb ribs at home? What cuts of meat work best for that authentic Greek flavor? I’d also love tips on marinades—do you stick with lemon, oregano, and olive oil, or do you add mustard, garlic, or something else?

Any favorite grilled veggie combos? I’ve seen grilled halloumi, eggplant, and zucchini served at tavernas, but haven’t tried it myself. And what about dips? Thanks!
 
Absolutely love this idea—Greek-style BBQs are such a hit! Kontosouvli is a favorite in our family—we use pork shoulder or neck, marinated overnight in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano. Lamb ribs also grill beautifully; I’d go for riblets or chops, seasoned simply with salt, pepper, rosemary, and lemon.

For veggies, grilled eggplant, zucchini, and red peppers are delicious brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt. Grilled halloumi is a must—it holds up great on the grill and adds a salty bite.

For dips, tzatziki is a no-brainer, but you could also try tyrokafteri (spicy feta dip) or melitzanosalata (smoky eggplant spread). Serve everything with warm pita or grilled village bread brushed with olive oil and oregano.
 

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?

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.

Greek cooking without a recipe?

I've been thinking about how much traditional Greek cooking relies on instinct rather than following exact recipes. Some of the Greek dishes I learned to make were taught to me by feel, with someone showing me what to do rather than measuring everything out.

I actually enjoy cooking this way, but I've noticed that it can make certain dishes difficult to recreate consistently! Sometimes everything comes together perfectly, and other times I wonder what I did differently.

I'm curious how others approach this. Did you learn Greek cooking by watching your yiayia, mother, or other relatives? Do you measure ingredients, or do you just know when something looks, smells, or tastes right?

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?

Do You Make Avgolemono Thick or Brothy?

I usually prefer avgolemono somewhere in the middle. I don’t like it so thick that it feels almost like a cream soup, but I also don’t want it completely thin and brothy. For me, the best version has enough egg and lemon to give the broth some body while still keeping it light.

A lot probably depends on what kind of avgolemono you’re making, too. In chicken soup, I like it a little more brothy because I want the rice or orzo and chicken to still stand out. With something like lahanodolmades, I don’t mind the avgolemono sauce being thicker because it is coating the food rather than serving as the soup itself.

The lemon level matters just as much as the thickness. I like enough lemon to make it bright and noticeable, but not so much that it overwhelms everything else. I think balance is really the key.
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