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nadellii

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I usually use the same recipe all the time - the one my mother showed me. But the other day, I didn't have enough of one of the ingredients (she uses cottage cheese and I didn't have enough) so to substitute I used a little soft goat cheese that I had in he fridge. It was yummy! It got me thinking that I don't always need to use the same recipe, right? I can do different things? I am curious the ingredients in your filling (you don't need to give me proportions, I am just curious what you use). I use cottage cheese and imported feta (except that one time where I had to use some goat cheese).
 
I usually use the same recipe all the time - the one my mother showed me. But the other day, I didn't have enough of one of the ingredients (she uses cottage cheese and I didn't have enough) so to substitute I used a little soft goat cheese that I had in he fridge. It was yummy! It got me thinking that I don't always need to use the same recipe, right? I can do different things? I am curious the ingredients in your filling (you don't need to give me proportions, I am just curious what you use). I use cottage cheese and imported feta (except that one time where I had to use some goat cheese).
I wonder if the soft goat cheese added a different flavor! I feel like there's wiggle room with tiro pita... as long as the overall amounts are the same, I bet it will taste great!
 
I usually use the same recipe all the time - the one my mother showed me. But the other day, I didn't have enough of one of the ingredients (she uses cottage cheese and I didn't have enough) so to substitute I used a little soft goat cheese that I had in he fridge. It was yummy! It got me thinking that I don't always need to use the same recipe, right? I can do different things? I am curious the ingredients in your filling (you don't need to give me proportions, I am just curious what you use). I use cottage cheese and imported feta (except that one time where I had to use some goat cheese).
There is definitely room to experiment. Traditional tiropita is all about feta being the main star. That dosent mean that there aren’t versions of of tiropita with other cheeses. For instance, there is kasseropita (Kasseri cheese a Greek cheese that is a springy-textured, stringy cheese). I usually sub Gruyère cheese when I can’t find it.
 
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There is definitely room to experiment. Traditional tiropita is all about feta being the main star. That dosent mean that there aren’t versions of of tiropita with other cheeses. For instance, there is kasseropita (Kasseri cheese a Greek cheese that is a springy-textured, stringy cheese). I usually sub Gruyère cheese when I can’t find it.
I never thought to sub gruyere cheese! That's a good tip, I will keep that in mind. Could you make tiropita with feta only? I didn't realize!
 
My mother always used a combination of Farmers cheese and Feta, it was always delicious!
 
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My mother always used a combination of Farmers cheese and Feta, it was always delicious!
Interesting, what is farmer's cheese? I might try this.
 
farmers cheese is similar to a cottage cheese but it's smooth and firmer so it holds up well and is a different texture. It blends well with other cheeses.
 

Greek grilling advice and tips?

It's getting warm out and time to break out the grill! I am interested in how do Greek people in Greece grill? I've had so many delicious grilled foods in Greece, I am having a hard time getting the same flavors here in the United States.

I've tried my hand at a few recipes, aiming to capture that authentic taste, but I feel like there's a deeper level of technique and tradition that I'm just not hitting. From choosing the right ingredients to mastering the grill itself, I know there’s a wealth of subtleties that can turn a good dish into a great one.

Do they use certain marinades or techniques? I've watched people in Greece grill - they don't even really follow recipes.

Traditional Greek soups in Greece?

Most of the Greeks I know are from the United States - so it's been a few generations since a lot of them spent extended time in Greece.

From what I understand, Greek cuisine kind of changes. From what I can tell, in the United States, the most popular soup is Egg and Lemon soup (avgolemono) but in Greece, I don't see to as much or rather, hear of it as much.

What are the most popular soups in Greece?

No Meat Dolmades (Stuffed Grape Leaves) Recipe

It has taken me a long time to get vegetarian dolmades to the point where I enjoy them. Here is my recipe. It uses a lot of oil, so strict fasters shouldn't eat them. But most people aren't super strict so I would even say these are good for lent!

Ingredients:​

  • 1 jar of grape leaves (about 60-70 leaves)
  • 1 cup short-grain rice
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh dill
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
  • Juice of 2 lemons
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Water

Instructions:​

  1. Prepare the Grape Leaves:
    • If using grape leaves preserved in brine, rinse them well under cold water to remove excess salt. If using fresh grape leaves, blanch them in boiling water for about 1 minute, then drain and rinse with cold water. Trim off any stems.
  2. Prepare the Filling:
    • In a large bowl, combine the rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped dill, chopped mint, chopped parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
  3. Fill and Roll the Grape Leaves:
    • Place a grape leaf flat on a clean work surface, shiny side down, with the stem end facing you. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the rice filling onto the center of the leaf, near the stem end.
    • Fold the bottom of the leaf over the filling, then fold in the sides, and roll tightly into a small cylinder.
    • Repeat with the remaining grape leaves and filling, arranging the rolled dolmades seam-side down in a large pot or deep skillet, packing them snugly together.
  4. Cook the Dolmades:
    • Once all the dolmades are rolled and packed in the pot, drizzle with a little olive oil and lemon juice.
    • Pour enough water into the pot to just cover the dolmades.
    • Place a heatproof plate or lid directly on top of the dolmades to keep them submerged during cooking.
    • Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer gently for about 45-60 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the grape leaves are tender.

Enjoying Cooking with Greek Honey

One of the things I love most about Greek honey is its versatility. You can use it in so many different ways in the kitchen. I've drizzled it over Greek yogurt for breakfast, mixed it into salad dressings for a touch of sweetness, and even used it as a glaze for roasted vegetables. The depth of flavor it adds to dishes is truly remarkable.

But perhaps my favorite way to use Greek honey is in baking. It adds a wonderful depth of flavor to cakes, cookies, and pastries. I recently made a batch of baklava using Greek honey, and it was a game-changer. The honey soaked into the layers of phyllo dough, creating a sweet and sticky treat that was absolutely irresistible.

I go out of my way to buy it - if I can't find it locally, I get it online. When I go to Greece, I get some in Greece, too.

What do you love to use Greek honey for?

greek-honey.jpg

Getting souvlaki tender?

How do you make tender Greek souvlaki? I've attempted various recipes, marinated for different durations, and experimented with both high and low cooking temps, but I seem to be missing the mark for that mouth-watering tenderness commonly found in authentic Greek souvlaki.

Has anyone found a particular method or ingredient that makes a significant difference in achieving that ideal tenderness?

I use ladolemono, a marinate it overnight in ziplock baggies (after I cut the meat in cubes) and then I add them to the skewers and cook them on the grill. I typically use chicken.
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