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efhernandez_

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Loukanika are so amazing! Greeks really know how to make some of the most juicy and flavourful meat. If anyone has any good restaurants in the Austin, Texas area that they could recommend for some great Greek food and loukanika I would really appreciate it :)
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Loukanika are so amazing! Greeks really know how to make some of the most juicy and flavourful meat. If anyone has any good restaurants in the Austin, Texas area that they could recommend for some great Greek food and loukanika I would really appreciate it :)
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Everyone loves a bit of Greek loukaniko
 
You can also find recipes online on how to make your own! My family used to do this. I love the way everyone has their own recipe. For me, it is the orange peel that really makes it special.
 
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You can also find recipes online on how to make your own! My family used to do this. I love the way everyone has their own recipe. For me, it is the orange peel that really makes it special.
Ive never tried it with orange! I usually use rosemary and thyme
 
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Ive never tried it with orange! I usually use rosemary and thyme
Some of my family I suspect might have roots on Crete, though that information got lost. From what I understand, there are a ton of orange trees on the island, so many of our family dishes involve oranges. I've actually never had it with rosemary for some reason!
 
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Some of my family I suspect might have roots on Crete, though that information got lost. From what I understand, there are a ton of orange trees on the island, so many of our family dishes involve oranges. I've actually never had it with rosemary for some reason!
So sad that so much information like that is lost in Greece. My relative said that a lot of documents got lost because of Turkish occupation. I wonder if that's what happened in your case
 
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So sad that so much information like that is lost in Greece. My relative said that a lot of documents got lost because of Turkish occupation. I wonder if that's what happened in your case
It's possible! I heard the same thing. Many of the records were lost or destroyed. Some burned. Also in the later generations, no one thought to ask the surviving relatives, and now they're gone!
 
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It's possible! I heard the same thing. Many of the records were lost or destroyed. Some burned. Also in the later generations, no one thought to ask the surviving relatives, and now they're gone!
So sad, I have researched and seem some super old interviews of elderly Greek people describing their experiences in Asia Minor. Im glad few have gone out to document Greek history
 
So sad, I have researched and seem some super old interviews of elderly Greek people describing their experiences in Asia Minor. Im glad few have gone out to document Greek history
Same here - I know some families who have roots in Asia Minor and had to move abruptly. Only one of these families thought to film a survivor before she passed talking about what she remembered, and what she remembered her mother talking about.
 
I love the recipe that involves spicing it with orange peels, but I have also had versions that have a dominant fennel or anise flavor, and those are great, as well. I don't always like "heat" in Greek cooking, but my favorite of the Greek sausages are always on the spicier side.
 

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.

What is the secret to making really good Greek lemon potatoes?

I've been making Greek lemon potatoes for years, and it's one of those dishes I make completely by feel. I don't measure anything, and I never really thought about how I make them because it's all second nature to me.

Recently, I tried teaching someone how to make them. Everything seemed straightforward while we were cooking together, but when they went home and tried making them on their own, all kinds of things went wrong! The potatoes weren't cooking evenly, the texture wasn't quite right, and the lemon flavor didn't come through the way it should.

It made me realize how much I rely on instinct when cooking traditional Greek food. I rarely write down recipes, so explaining every little detail is harder than I expected!

For those who make Greek lemon potatoes regularly, what tips would you give someone who's just learning?

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?

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!

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?
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