1 - 9 of 9 Posts

auroracoor1

Active member
Greek pork chops are the juiciest I've ever had ? how can I make restaurant quality pork chops that look this good?
grilled-greek-pork-chops-720x480.jpg
 
That's barbecue sauce. Greeks don't put barbecue sauce on food - that's an American thing to do. It's surprising you find them juicy, because meat is cooked well done in Greece (more well done than what you would get in the USA if you ordered something well done)

Generally when you cook any meat in Greece you put: olive oil, paprika, oregano, wine, garlic, salt, and pepper...
 
That's barbecue sauce. Greeks don't put barbecue sauce on food - that's an American thing to do. It's surprising you find them juicy, because meat is cooked well done in Greece (more well done than what you would get in the USA if you ordered something well done)

Generally when you cook any meat in Greece you put: olive oil, paprika, oregano, wine, garlic, salt, and pepper...
Is the meat still juicy even though it's well done?
 
The problem is that pork in Greece is a whole different taste, which makes it so tasty, compared to pork in the US.
 
The problem is that pork in Greece is a whole different taste, which makes it so tasty, compared to pork in the US.
That's what i've noticed too. It's all about the quality of the meat. Pork in the US turns grey when it's cooked ?
 
It is all about the marinade.4 table spoons olive oil. one of red wine vinegar. 2 cloves garlic sliced.one red onion finely sliced.one table spoon dried oregano.salt & ground pepper. One table spoon of mustard ( optional) In a bowl add everything,stir to coat. Cover with cling film & chill for 1- 2 hours.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hash
That's what i've noticed too. It's all about the quality of the meat. Pork in the US turns grey when it's cooked ?
So true! The meat (including pork) is so much better in Greece. Not sure how or why but it is amazing and tastes so much better!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hash
I usually marinate mine in a ladolemono for about two hours or overnight. I know that is an American thing, but it pumps them with some flavorful moisture from the dressing, and then I can "overcook" them like a Greek and they'll still be juicy. Here's the recipe I use for the ladolemono:

 

Is lamb or beef more traditional for giouvetsi?

I've been looking into traditional Greek giouvetsi recipes lately, and I'm curious about which meat is considered the most traditional. I've seen recipes that use lamb, others that call for beef, and even some that use chicken.

I love the idea of slowly cooking the meat in a rich tomato sauce with orzo until everything becomes tender and flavorful. However, I'm wondering whether lamb or beef would be the more authentic choice.

Is one traditionally preferred in certain regions of Greece? I've read that lamb is often associated with older Greek recipes, but beef seems to be very common in modern versions of giouvetsi.

I'm also curious whether the choice of meat changes the way the dish is prepared. Does lamb require different seasonings or cooking times than beef?

For those familiar with traditional Greek cooking, which version do you prefer, and which would you recommend trying first?

Greek cooking without a recipe?

I've been thinking about how much traditional Greek cooking relies on instinct rather than following exact recipes. Some of the Greek dishes I learned to make were taught to me by feel, with someone showing me what to do rather than measuring everything out.

I actually enjoy cooking this way, but I've noticed that it can make certain dishes difficult to recreate consistently! Sometimes everything comes together perfectly, and other times I wonder what I did differently.

I'm curious how others approach this. Did you learn Greek cooking by watching your yiayia, mother, or other relatives? Do you measure ingredients, or do you just know when something looks, smells, or tastes right?

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.

Do you put potatoes in your briam?

I've noticed that there are quite a few variations of briam, especially when it comes to which vegetables people include. One ingredient I'm particularly curious about is potatoes. Do you always put potatoes in your briam, or do you prefer making it without them?

I usually think of briam as a combination of zucchini, eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and plenty of olive oil. I love how the potatoes absorb all those wonderful flavors as everything slowly roasts together in the oven.

However, I've seen recipes that leave the potatoes out entirely and focus more on the summer vegetables. I imagine that makes the dish a little lighter.

I'm also curious whether there are regional differences in how briam is prepared throughout Greece. Does your family have a particular way of making it? And what vegetables do you consider absolutely essential?

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.

The problem is that I've been having trouble getting my krema just right. Sometimes it comes out too thin, and other times the texture isn't quite as smooth as I'd like. I've tried adjusting the amount of flour and milk, but I still haven't found the perfect balance.

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!
Sign up for a free account and share your thoughts, photos, questions about Greek food, travel and culture!

WorldwideGreeks.com is a free online forum community where people can discuss Greek food, travel, traditions, history and mythology.
Join Worldwide Greeks here!

JOIN COMMUNITY FOR FREE

LOGIN TO YOUR ACCOUNT
Back
Top