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nadellii

Active member
Now that it is lent, I will be making this a lot. I bring it to lenten potlucks at my church and I make it all the time at home. Here's a recipe I use - I do change up the vegetables sometimes depending on what I can find. I might omit eggplant, for example, and I would replace it with two additional zucchini.

Ingredients:​

  • 2 medium zucchinis, sliced
  • 2 eggplants, sliced
  • 4 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced
  • 1 large red onion, sliced
  • 1 bell pepper (any color), sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 large ripe tomatoes, sliced or 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tbsp oregano, dried
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)

Instructions:​

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly oil a large baking dish.
  2. Prepare the vegetables: Slice the zucchinis, eggplants, potatoes, onions, and bell peppers into even pieces. If using fresh tomatoes, slice them as well; otherwise, have your can of diced tomatoes ready.
  3. Layer the vegetables in the dish: Start with a layer of potatoes at the bottom, followed by eggplants, zucchinis, onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes. Sprinkle each layer with minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Repeat the layering process until all the vegetables are used.
  4. Season and oil: Once all the vegetables are layered, drizzle them with olive oil and add a final sprinkle of salt, pepper, and dried oregano. For a touch of freshness, add the chopped parsley over the top.
  5. Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for another 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft and slightly caramelized on the edges.
 
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Now that it is lent, I will be making this a lot. I bring it to lenten potlucks at my church and I make it all the time at home. Here's a recipe I use - I do change up the vegetables sometimes depending on what I can find. I might omit eggplant, for example, and I would replace it with two additional zucchini.

Ingredients:​

  • 2 medium zucchinis, sliced
  • 2 eggplants, sliced
  • 4 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced
  • 1 large red onion, sliced
  • 1 bell pepper (any color), sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 large ripe tomatoes, sliced or 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tbsp oregano, dried
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)

Instructions:​

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly oil a large baking dish.
  2. Prepare the vegetables: Slice the zucchinis, eggplants, potatoes, onions, and bell peppers into even pieces. If using fresh tomatoes, slice them as well; otherwise, have your can of diced tomatoes ready.
  3. Layer the vegetables in the dish: Start with a layer of potatoes at the bottom, followed by eggplants, zucchinis, onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes. Sprinkle each layer with minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Repeat the layering process until all the vegetables are used.
  4. Season and oil: Once all the vegetables are layered, drizzle them with olive oil and add a final sprinkle of salt, pepper, and dried oregano. For a touch of freshness, add the chopped parsley over the top.
  5. Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for another 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft and slightly caramelized on the edges.
I love Briam! My family loves eating it cold or at room temperature, especially in the summer! For non-fasting days, it's amazing with feta, too!
 
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I love Briam! My family loves eating it cold or at room temperature, especially in the summer! For non-fasting days, it's amazing with feta, too!

Agreed, I love Briam with Feta too!

I don't like eggplant so I skip it and add more zucchini. Other than that, this recipe looks good!
 
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Pastitsio - Should I Add Cinnamon?

Hi everyone! I’m making pastitsio this weekend for a family gathering, and I’m debating whether or not to add cinnamon to the meat sauce. I’ve seen it both ways—some recipes call for just a pinch, while others go heavier, giving it that sweet, aromatic depth. I know cinnamon is more common in moussaka, but I’ve heard it’s traditional in pastitsio too, depending on the region.

What do you all think? Does cinnamon make it more authentic, or do you prefer a more savory meat sauce without the sweetness? I’m leaning toward adding just a bit, but I don’t want to overwhelm anyone who’s expecting something more classic and hearty. Do you do nutmeg and cinnamon both? I usually put nutmeg in the béchamel.

Easy dessert for a guy's hangout?

Hey everyone! I’m hosting a casual weekend hangout with a few buddies and thought it’d be fun to throw in a homemade Greek dessert—something easy, tasty, and not too fancy. We’re planning to fire up the grill and keep things chill, so I’d love a dessert that doesn’t need a ton of prep or fancy ingredients.

I was thinking maybe something syrupy like portokalopita or even a batch of loukoumades if they’re not too much trouble. But I’m open to anything that’s a crowd-pleaser—bonus if it pairs well with coffee, beer, or a shot of ouzo later in the night.

Any suggestions for an easy Greek dessert that’ll impress the guys but won’t keep me stuck in the kitchen? Tips, shortcuts, and go-to recipes would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance—looking forward to making something sweet and Greek!

How do you prepare your Kalamari?

Kalamari lovers, I’d love to hear from you—how do you usually prepare it? Do you go for the classic crispy fried rings, toss it on the grill with olive oil and lemon, or do you get more creative with a stuffed version?

I’ve had it so many ways and each preparation brings something totally different to the table. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with grilling it and adding a garlic-lime marinade, but I’m curious about what everyone else does. Do you use fresh or frozen squid? Any special tricks for keeping it tender and not rubbery? If you stuff it, what kind of filling do you use—rice and herbs, feta and spinach, something else?

I’m especially looking for tips on how to get the flavor just right without overpowering the kalamari itself. Share your favorite methods, family recipes, or secret ingredients—I’d love to try something new next time I make it!

Rice Vs Orzo in Avgolemono Soup

I’m curious—do you prefer rice or orzo in your avgolemono soup?

My family is totally divided on this one. Some of us love the silky texture that rice brings, especially when it softens and thickens the soup just enough. Others argue that orzo gives it a smoother, more elegant feel, almost like a Greek version of chicken noodle soup. I’ve even heard a few people swear by using both!

We always make avgolemono for holidays, Sunday dinners, or when someone’s feeling under the weather, so this debate comes up a lot. I’d love to hear how other families do it. Is it strictly rice? Only orzo? Or do you switch it up depending on the occasion?

And does the choice of pasta change how you whisk in the egg-lemon mixture? It does for me, so I would like to pick one and stick with it.

How long to soak dried chick peas?

Hi everyone! I usually use canned chickpeas out of convenience, but I’m trying to cut back on sodium in my cooking. Some canned brands have way too much salt, even if you rinse them. I’m thinking of switching to dried chickpeas but have never actually soaked or cooked them myself.

How long do you typically soak them for? Do you soak them overnight, or is there a quicker method that still works well? I’ve heard about the hot soak or “quick soak” methods but don’t know if they affect texture or taste.

Also, any tips for getting them soft without turning them to mush? I'd love to use them for things like salads, stews, or revithia. Thanks in advance!
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