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cubrinj

Active member
I know everyone loves melamakarona during Christmas, but my favorite are kourabedies! They are delicious. I love my family's recipe. I thought I would share:

- 2 sticks butter, at room temperature
- 2 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup brandy
- 3 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon of baking powder
- 2 cups of almonds, roasted and chopped
- Additional confectioners' sugar (for dusting)

1: Preheat the oven to 355°F (180°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2: Cream the butter into a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until it is light and fluffy. Add two egg yolks gradually and continue beating.

3: Add confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, and brandy, and beat until creamy and fully incorporated.

4: Add flour and baking powder and mix until the dough becomes soft and silky.

5: Fold chopped almonds into the dough mixture.

6: Take a small piece of dough (approximately 1 tablespoon-sized) and press it into your palm to create a small, round cookie. Place the cookies on the parchment paper-lined baking sheets about 1 inch apart.

7: Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cookies turn golden brown.

8: Remove the cookies from the oven and place them on a wire rack to cool.

9: Once the cookies are completely cool, dust them with a layer of confectioners’ sugar to coat the cookies.

10: Store in an airtight container until you're ready to enjoy them.

greek-shortbread.jpg
 
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Reactions: k_tsoukalas
This is definitely a wonderful recipe. Thanks for sharing!
 
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Reactions: k_tsoukalas
Kourabedies are so good. My family always made these and baklava for Christmas. She'd give out plates of Greed desserts for gifts!
 

Favorite Greek Cheeses Beyond Feta

Feta gets most of the attention when people talk about Greek cheese, but there are so many other varieties worth trying. I’m curious which Greek cheeses everyone enjoys most beyond feta.

Graviera is one of my favorites because it works so well on a cheese plate, grated over dishes, or just eaten with bread. Kasseri is another one I really like, especially melted. I’ve also been interested in trying more regional cheeses like metsovone, manouri, kefalotyri, and formaela.

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?

What herbs do you use when making Greek stuffed zucchini?

I've been thinking about making Greek stuffed zucchini (kolokithakia gemista), and I'm curious about which herbs everyone uses in the filling. I've seen quite a few variations, and it seems like the combination of herbs can really influence the overall flavor of the dish.

Some recipes use plenty of fresh dill and parsley, while others include mint or even a little oregano. I've also noticed that some people add green onions for extra flavor. I'm wondering whether certain herbs are considered more traditional, especially when making stuffed zucchini with rice and ground meat.

Do you use a combination of herbs, or do you prefer to keep the seasoning fairly simple? Does your family have a particular recipe that has been passed down through generations?

I'm especially interested in how the herbs complement the avgolemono sauce. What combination do you think gives Greek stuffed zucchini the best flavor?

Do You Put Cinnamon in Your Keftedes?

I’m curious how everyone here makes keftedes, especially when it comes to cinnamon. I know some Greek families add a little cinnamon to the meat mixture, while others would never think of putting it in.

In my experience, even a small amount can change the flavor quite a bit. It gives the keftedes a warmer, slightly sweeter spice in the background, but I can also see how it might not be for everyone. I’ve had versions that lean more heavily on oregano, mint, parsley, garlic, and onion instead.

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.

Would love to hear how everyone seasons theirs and what you consider essential for really good keftedes.

How Much Garlic in a Batch of Tzatziki?

How much garlic do you usually put in a batch of tzatziki? I think I may be using a little too much. I usually make mine with about 2 cups of Greek yogurt and 4 cloves of garlic, along with cucumber, olive oil, and the other usual ingredients.

It tastes great when I first make it, but we usually take about three days to finish the batch. By the second or third day, the garlic flavor and smell become really strong. Some people in my household love that and don’t mind it at all, but others think it becomes a bit overpowering. I’m starting to agree that four cloves might be too much, especially since the garlic seems to get stronger as it sits.

What do you all do? How many cloves would you use for about 2 cups of Greek yogurt?

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.

The important part is mixing everything well and then letting the mixture sit in the refrigerator for a little while before shaping the keftedes. We make them fairly small, roll them lightly in flour, and fry them in olive oil until browned on the outside and cooked through.

We usually serve them with lemon, potatoes, salad, or tzatziki.

How does your family make keftedes? I’m especially curious about which herbs and seasonings everyone uses. Thought I'd share!
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