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Greek mussels are so delicious!! Here's how I make them

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francescool

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Mussels are one of the those dishes that should stay pretty simple in my opinion. Their flavor is so strong that I don't want to mess it up. I add olive oil to a large pan and put the stove on medium heat. I add one yellow onion, red bell pepper, and garlic. I cook this down for 5 minutes and then add the washed mussels. I pour some cheap but tasty Greek white wine over the mussels, add cherry tomatoes and cover. I cook everything for 5 minutes only, overcooking will make the mussels rubbery. If some mussels don't open, throw them away, it means they aren't good. Add to a bowl and toss with parsley and feta cheese. Enjoy!

mussels-saganaki-recipe-720x480.jpg
 
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This looks delicious! I used to overcook my mussels and they were gross that way. I feared that 5 minutes wasn't enough, but as it turns out, mussels don't take long to cook and they taste better this way.
 
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Do You Put Cinnamon in Your Keftedes?

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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.

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Some Greek cheeses seem to be much easier to find outside Greece than others, so I’d also love to know which ones people regularly buy and where they usually find them.

What Greek cheeses do you keep coming back to? Are there certain ones you associate with a particular region, dish, or family tradition? And if someone has mostly eaten feta, which Greek cheese would you recommend they try next?

Do you make your pastitsio with a thick or thin layer of krema?

I've always preferred my pastitsio with a nice, thick layer of béchamel on top. To me, that's one of the best parts of the dish! I love when the krema is rich, creamy, and thick enough to hold its shape when you cut into the pastitsio.

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I'm curious how everyone else makes theirs. Do you prefer a thick layer of béchamel or just enough to cover the pasta? Does your family add eggs or cheese to the mixture?

I'd especially love to hear any tips for making a thick, smooth krema that sets beautifully when baked!

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My Family’s Keftedes Recipe

Keftedes are one of those foods that always remind me of family gatherings. Everyone seems to make them a little differently, but this is the basic version my family has always used.

For about a pound of ground beef, we add one small grated onion, a handful of chopped fresh parsley, a little fresh mint, one egg, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, oregano, and a small splash of red wine vinegar. Sometimes we add a little grated garlic as well.

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