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I have been reading about some traditional recipes that involve clay pots. I noticed that this is fairly common throughout Greece, but it isn't common necessarily with the Greek diaspora in places like United States, Canada, and Australia. What happened when the people moved to those places? Did they adapt the recipes or keeping using these methods and I just don't realize it? My family must have adapted because no one uses clay pots anymore.

I am trying to figure out how to get started with this cooking method while not in Greece. I am honestly not even sure where to start.
 

PemiKanavos

Administrator
Staff member
Cooking in a clay pot or gastra
I have been reading about some traditional recipes that involve clay pots. I noticed that this is fairly common throughout Greece, but it isn't common necessarily with the Greek diaspora in places like United States, Canada, and Australia. What happened when the people moved to those places? Did they adapt the recipes or keeping using these methods and I just don't realize it? My family must have adapted because no one uses clay pots anymore.

I am trying to figure out how to get started with this cooking method while not in Greece. I am honestly not even sure where to start.
 

PemiKanavos

Administrator
Staff member
Cooking in a clay pot or gastra
A gastra is a cooking vessel thst is oblong and is made from clay. For this reason, the pot is heated evenly and cooks evenly.

It has a lid that fits tightly onto the base, so the steam does not escape and condenses on its interior and drops back into the food without any waste of flavors and moisture.

The pots are ideal for slow cooking over embers )or embers can be placed on top as well) or in an oven, resulting in buttery, tender vegetables and meat that falls off the bone.

Gastra can be glazed or unglazed - the unglazed ones are earthier and darken over time, while the glazed ones are recommended for people who cook infrequently.

They would first soak it in water so that its pores would absorb the water. As it heats up the water would evaporated, by transferring the moisture to the air surrounding the food. This way it would ensure your food would cook without burning or drying out and not losing any of its flavors.

This cooking method dated back to Ancient Greek times and has been seen in many other cultures as well.

Even though most Greeks just use a pan for their cooking, there are still plenary of die hard Greeks that use the gastra for cooking but now the just place it in the oven without soaking it.
 

Various Ways to Use Greek Yogurt

I love Greek yogurt and I currently am learning how to make it. I thought I would share with you all what I do with it. Some of it is in "Greek cooking", and I also have other uses. My list:
  • I blend the yogurt into my morning smoothies with fruit for added protein - I don't like protein powder.
  • I make a yogurt cake and Greek yogurt is my favorite type of yogurt in the recipe.
  • I make a pasta dish that uses yogurt, kind of like an Alfredo sauce.
  • I love making tzatziki...
How do you use Greek yogurt in your cooking?

Special way to make a Greek omelet?

I love omelets. I know that they serve them in Greece sometimes. What is considered to be a traditional Greek omelet exactly? I had one in Greece when I visited people, and it seemed like they had a mixture of things in it, some of which I believe was foraged.

I personally love greens, cheese (like feta), and olives in mine. Is this considered traditional?

I would love to hear how you love your omelets!

What is in season in Greece now?

I am trying to understand Greek cooking on a different level than what I do now. Whenever looking up recipes, that is all it is to me - a recipe. I know that in Greece, there is a notion of seasonality that somehow gets lost when I read a cookbook.

So, it is approaching mid-May. The weather here is really starting to get good. In Greece, I am sure it is also lovely, but the growing seasons are different than what I experience.

What is in season now in Greece? I want to figure out how foods are prepared throughout the year in Greece, I think it will help me understand seasonality in general.

What do Greeks eat for breakfast?

Do Greeks take breakfast seriously? I heard from some friends that many Greeks do eat brunch, but that seems more like a once in a while thing. What do Greeks eat for breakfast on a regular basis? I have observed all kinds of things, from nothing to maybe a tiro pita or something bought on the street, washed down with a Greek coffee. Also, I have seen people eat fruit and nothing else for breakfast.

Shopping for Greek Honey

What is the best Greek honey to buy? I have some friends who are going to Greece and I told them to get me some honey while there, but I don't know how to tell them what to buy for me. I like to cook with it and spread it on bread and wasa crackers. I love it with cheese, as well. Like, the combination of honey drizzled on feta cheese ... it's outstanding.

When I don't have people getting some for me in Greece, I typically buy it online. I just never really put thought into it.
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