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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!
 

How do you cook okra without it turning slimy?

I grew up eating bamies all summer long in Greece, and it’s still one of my favorite dishes, especially when cooked with onions, tomatoes, and a touch of olive oil. But even after years of making it here in the U.S., I can’t seem to find a consistent way to keep the okra from turning slimy. Sometimes it comes out perfect, tender and flavorful with no stickiness, and other times it gets that slippery texture no matter what I do.

I’ve heard different tricks over the years: soaking in vinegar, roasting before stewing, not stirring too much, or using smaller pods. But none of them seem to work every time.

For those of you who also love traditional Greek bamies, what’s your secret? Is it all about the freshness of the okra, or is there a step in the cooking process that really makes the difference?

Potatoes in Moussaka?

For some reason, my family’s version of moussaka has never included potatoes, and I’m starting to wonder if I’ve been missing something all these years! We’ve always layered it with eggplant, a bit of zucchini, meat sauce, and béchamel, no potatoes. But lately I’ve seen so many recipes (especially from northern Greece) that add a layer of sliced or fried potatoes at the bottom, and people swear it gives the dish more structure and heartiness.

For those who make moussaka regularly — do you include potatoes? If so, where do you place them in the layering: bottom, middle, or alternating with the eggplant? Do they change the texture or make it too heavy? I love the idea of experimenting but don’t want to lose that light, custardy feel of our version. I’d love to hear how your families make it and whether the potato layer is a must!

What makes the perfect pastitsio?

I know everyone’s got their own way of making pastitsio, and I’m curious what you all think makes it perfect. I’m Greek and have been making it for years, but I swear every family has a different take, even just within my circle of friends, no two versions are the same!

For me, the key is a good, fluffy krema on top, which makes it not too dense, not too thin — and a meat layer that’s rich but not overly heavy. I also like just a hint of tomato sauce mixed in with the meat; it gives it depth and color without turning it into makaronia me kima.

Do you prefer a spiced meat sauce or something milder? Do you bake it until it’s firm or leave it soft and creamy? I’d love to hear your tricks, family secrets, and regional twists!

What is the perfect skordalia texture?

Lately I’ve been experimenting with skordalia, and I’m starting to realize just how many different versions there really are. Some people swear by a silky, almost whipped texture, while others prefer it thick and rustic, the kind you can practically stand a spoon in. I’ve tried both bread-based and potato-based versions, and the results couldn’t be more different. Bread seems to give it a lighter, fluffier feel, while potatoes make it dense and hearty.

But here’s my question for everyone who makes this regularly: What is the perfect texture supposed to be? Is true skordalia meant to be smooth and airy, or thick and substantial? Should the garlic be fully integrated, or is a tiny bit of graininess acceptable? I know it's personal preference, too.

What pasta do you use for pastritsio?

I usually use the long, hollow macaroni no.2 from Greece when I make pastitsio. It’s the classic kind that gives you those perfect layers that I love. The problem is, I can’t always find it locally, and ordering online isn’t always convenient (or quick).

When I don’t have it on hand, I start to panic a bit. Pastitsio just doesn’t feel the same without the right pasta! I’ve tried ziti, penne, and even bucatini in a pinch, but nothing seems to hold up quite like the Greek version. I’m curious what everyone else does when they can’t find the real thing.

Do you have a favorite substitute that still gives that authentic texture? Or do you swear by only using the traditional Greek macaroni? I’d love to hear what’s worked for others, especially if you’ve discovered any good brands available in the U.S.
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