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toniiv

Active member
I love experimenting with Greek desserts at home. I also love ouzo, and it got me wondering—are there any traditional Greek desserts that incorporate ouzo?

I know ouzo is usually enjoyed as a drink, but I’ve heard it can sometimes be used in baking or syrups. Maybe in cakes, pastries, or even spoon sweets? I’d love to try making something unique that has that signature anise flavor.

Has anyone tried or made a Greek dessert with ouzo? Maybe an ouzo-infused syrup for baklava or a cake that uses it in the batter? I’m open to all suggestions—baked, fried, creamy, or anything in between!

Would love to hear your ideas or recipes. Thanks in advance!
 
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I love experimenting with Greek desserts at home. I also love ouzo, and it got me wondering—are there any traditional Greek desserts that incorporate ouzo?

I know ouzo is usually enjoyed as a drink, but I’ve heard it can sometimes be used in baking or syrups. Maybe in cakes, pastries, or even spoon sweets? I’d love to try making something unique that has that signature anise flavor.

Has anyone tried or made a Greek dessert with ouzo? Maybe an ouzo-infused syrup for baklava or a cake that uses it in the batter? I’m open to all suggestions—baked, fried, creamy, or anything in between!

Would love to hear your ideas or recipes. Thanks in advance!
I have a chocolate cake on my blog that has ouzo - it's really good! Check it out here and let me know what you think. ?
 
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Yes! Ouzo can definitely be used in Greek desserts, and it adds a wonderful anise flavor. One classic way to incorporate it is in ouzo-infused syrup—this works beautifully for baklava, revani (semolina cake), or diples (fried pastry strips). Just add a splash of ouzo to your honey syrup after removing it from heat so the aroma stays intact.

For baked treats, try ouzo koulourakia (Greek butter cookies with ouzo). The ouzo gives them a light, fragrant flavor that pairs well with orange zest. Another great option is ouzo-spiked loukoumades (Greek honey puffs)—a bit of ouzo in the batter enhances their taste.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can also add ouzo to panna cotta-style Greek yogurt mousse or even make ouzo-infused spoon sweets like fig or cherry.

Hope you enjoy experimenting—let us know what you try!
 

What is your favorite meat to cook on the grill Greek-style?

What is your favorite meat to cook on the grill Greek-style? I always think Greek grilling is at its best when the seasoning is fairly simple and the flavor of the meat still comes through.

Lamb is probably the first thing that comes to mind, especially chops seasoned with olive oil, lemon, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pork souvlaki is another favorite, and chicken can be excellent when it has had enough time to marinate. I also really enjoy biftekia on the grill, especially when they are seasoned with herbs and served with lemon potatoes, salad, or grilled pita.

I’d love to hear what everyone else prefers. Do you usually grill lamb, pork, chicken, sausages, or something else? Are there any particular marinades, seasonings, or family techniques you always use? And what sides do you normally serve with a Greek-style grilled meal?

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.

How Do You Keep Lamb from Drying Out in the Oven?

I’ve been cooking more traditional Greek food at home lately, and one thing I’m still trying to get right is oven-roasted lamb. I love the flavor, especially with garlic, lemon, oregano, and potatoes, but sometimes the meat comes out a little drier than I’d like.

For those of you who make lamb regularly, how do you keep it tender and juicy in the oven? Do you cover it for part of the cooking time, add water or broth to the pan, or cook it slowly at a lower temperature?

I’m also wondering if the cut makes a big difference. I usually see leg of lamb used, but would shoulder be more forgiving for a long roast?

I’d like to get that really tender Greek-style lamb that practically falls apart. Any tips on temperature, cooking time, marinades, or resting the meat would be appreciated.

Favorite Greek dishes made with zucchini

Zucchini seems to show up in so many Greek dishes, especially during the summer when it’s plentiful and at its best. I’m curious what everyone’s favorite traditional Greek zucchini dishes are.

Kolokithokeftedes are probably one of the first things that come to mind for me. I love how the zucchini works with herbs, feta, and a little crispiness on the outside. I also enjoy zucchini in vegetable dishes like briam, and I know there are plenty of regional recipes that use it in different ways.

What Greek zucchini dishes do you make most often? Do you prefer zucchini fritters, stuffed zucchini, baked dishes, stews, pies, or something else entirely?

I’d especially love to hear about family recipes or regional dishes that aren’t as well known outside Greece. And if you grow zucchini yourself, what do you usually make when you suddenly have more than you know what to do with?

What to do with garden zucchini?

Every summer, I seem to end up with more zucchini from the garden than I know what to do with! Of course, in Greek cooking there are plenty of good options, but I’m always looking for new ideas once I’ve made the usual favorites a few times.

I tend to use zucchini for kolokithokeftedes, briam, stuffed zucchini, and simple sautéed dishes with olive oil and herbs. I also like adding it to vegetable pies or roasting it alongside potatoes and other summer vegetables. Still, when the garden is producing zucchini constantly, it’s easy to run out of inspiration.

What does everyone else do with an abundance of garden zucchini? Are there traditional Greek recipes you make every summer, especially ones that use a lot at once?

I’d also love ideas for preserving or freezing zucchini in a way that works well for Greek dishes later in the year.
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