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nadellii

Active member
I am trying to eat healthy so I bought some chickpeas and the other ingredients for my favorite soup. It came out amazing. This is the recipe I used:

Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 4 cups vegetable broth or water
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges, fresh parsley, and olive oil for serving

Instructions:
1. Drain and rinse the soaked chickpeas and set them aside.
2. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat some olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add chopped onions and sauté for 2-3 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
4. Add minced garlic and continue to sauté for another minute.
5. Add tomato paste, bay leaves, dried oregano, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes, and cook for a minute or until fragrant.
6. Add the soaked chickpeas and vegetable broth or water to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for approximately 1 hour or until the chickpeas are tender.
7. Once the chickpeas are cooked, remove the bay leaves, and blend half of the soup in a blender or with an immersion blender to create a creamy consistency.
8. Return the blended soup to the pot and stir to combine. Add salt and black pepper to taste.
9. Let the soup simmer for another 5-10 minutes until heated through.
10. Serve the soup hot, garnished with a drizzle of olive oil, a squeeze of lemon juice, and some fresh parsley.
 
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I am trying to eat healthy so I bought some chickpeas and the other ingredients for my favorite soup. It came out amazing. This is the recipe I used:

Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 4 cups vegetable broth or water
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges, fresh parsley, and olive oil for serving

Instructions:
1. Drain and rinse the soaked chickpeas and set them aside.
2. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat some olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add chopped onions and sauté for 2-3 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
4. Add minced garlic and continue to sauté for another minute.
5. Add tomato paste, bay leaves, dried oregano, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes, and cook for a minute or until fragrant.
6. Add the soaked chickpeas and vegetable broth or water to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for approximately 1 hour or until the chickpeas are tender.
7. Once the chickpeas are cooked, remove the bay leaves, and blend half of the soup in a blender or with an immersion blender to create a creamy consistency.
8. Return the blended soup to the pot and stir to combine. Add salt and black pepper to taste.
9. Let the soup simmer for another 5-10 minutes until heated through.
10. Serve the soup hot, garnished with a drizzle of olive oil, a squeeze of lemon juice, and some fresh parsley.
Love the sound of this, healthy, fresh and vegan, exactly what I need 👍
 
Love the sound of this, healthy, fresh and vegan, exactly what I need 👍
I know, same. I love chickpeas - it's my favorite legume. I made something like this once kind of by accident. I was prepping to make a white bean soup (fasolada) and realized that when I soaked the beans, they got all messed up - the skins came off, etc. I don't know how that happened, but the onion was already sautéing and the other ingredients were prepped. I had some canned chickpeas and used that instead. It was delicious! In eyeballing this recipe, it is very similar to what I ended up doing.
 
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Thanks guys! I forgot to mention that I substitute canned chickpeas (about 2 cans) when I decide at the last minute I want the soup. Soaking the beans only works for me if I plan ahead and I don't always.
 

Cumin in Greek Cooking?

When I was in Greece, I bumped into a "spanakopita" in like a turnover style dough. It didn't have cheese and was spiced with cumin. I hadn't realized people use Cumin in Greece until I tasted it in this dish. I was kind of confused.

Do people actually use cumin in Greek cooking? None of the old recipes I have mention it. Could it be a more modern influence?

Current food trends in Greece?

I understand that Greece is just like other countries where there might be food trends, new dishes, etc to enjoy.

I'm looking to understand more about the latest trends that are currently shaping it. I'm particularly interested in how traditional Greek recipes are being reimagined by modern chefs, how regional variations are gaining popularity, or if there's a rise in any particular ingredients or cooking methods.

Is anyone here keeping tabs on contemporary movements in Greek food? Maybe you've dined at a restaurant that surprised you with a modern twist on a Greek classic, or you've come across new food blogs with innovative recipes.

The cuisine of Greece is as much about the traditional recipes we all love as it is the trends and the way the cuisine moves forward!

Bougatsa Recipe - Delicious Breakfast!

When I was in Greece, I loved having bougatsa for breakfast. I don't have it much when I am back home so I decided to learn how to make it. Here's the recipe I use:

I do have a question, I find using the puff pastry the easiest. However, what do they use in Greece?

Dough:
  • 1 package (about 17.3 ounces) frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Custard:
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup fine semolina flour
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
  • Ground cinnamon, for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Custard Filling:
    • In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it's hot but not boiling.
    • In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, semolina flour, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
    • Gradually pour about 1/4 of the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to temper the eggs.
    • Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining hot milk, whisking constantly.
    • Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens to a custard-like consistency, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
  2. Prepare the Bougatsa Dough:
    • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheets onto a clean surface. Brush melted butter generously over one sheet of puff pastry.
    • Place the second puff pastry sheet on top of the buttered one. Brush the top with more melted butter.
    • Roll up the puff pastry sheets tightly into a log. Cut the log into 12 equal portions.
  3. Assemble the Bougatsa:
    • Take one portion of the puff pastry and flatten it into a thin circle on a floured surface, using a rolling pin.
    • Place about 2-3 tablespoons of the cooled custard filling in the center of the pastry circle.
    • Fold the edges of the pastry circle over the custard filling, creating a sealed pouch. Place the filled bougatsa onto the prepared baking sheet.
    • Repeat this process with the remaining puff pastry portions and custard filling.
  4. Bake the Bougatsa:
    • Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the bougatsa until the pastry is golden brown and crispy, about 25-30 minutes.
    • Remove the bougatsa from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.

Learning about Greek food and wine pairing

I've recently developed a fascination with Greek wines and am eager to explore their potential pairings with various cuisines. Greek wines, with their rich history and unique grape varieties, offer a tantalizing range of flavors that I believe can complement a wide array of dishes beautifully. However, my experience in effectively pairing these wines is somewhat limited, and I would greatly appreciate any advice or insights from those more familiar with this area.

Particularly, I'm interested in understanding which types of Greek wines (white, red, or rosé) pair best with specific dishes or cuisines. Here are a few specific questions I have in mind:
  1. Assyrtiko: Known for its crisp acidity and citrus notes, which dishes would best highlight Assyrtiko's characteristics?
  2. Agiorgitiko: Often described as smooth and velvety, what kinds of meals would complement this type of red wine?
  3. Xinomavro: With its robust tannins and complex flavor profile, what are the best food pairings to balance its intensity?
  4. Retsina: Given its unique pine resin flavor, are there particular foods that match well with this traditional wine?
Additionally, I'm curious if there are any general rules of thumb when it comes to pairing Greek wines with dishes from other culinary traditions outside of Greek cuisine.

Thank you!

Different kinds of baklava to try?

I've recently found myself on a delicious quest to explore the world of baklava, that rich, sweet pastry made of layers of filo filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey or syrup. I understand that baklava has roots in many culinary traditions across the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia, each bringing its own unique twist to this iconic dessert.

From what I’ve gathered, the variations of baklava are as numerous as they are delicious, differing in nuts, spices, types of syrup, and preparation methods. However, navigating through these variations is quite the challenge, and that’s where I’m seeking your collective wisdom!

I am curious what you guys think!
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