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voula_slat

Active member
I’m planning to bake a big batch of kourabiedes for the holiday season, as they’re always a hit at parties! Since I have multiple events to attend throughout December, I’m wondering how long they stay fresh after baking.

If I make them early in the month, will they still taste great by Christmas Day? I know they’re usually coated in powdered sugar and can be stored in airtight containers, but I’m curious if anyone has tips for keeping them at their best—like whether layering them with parchment paper or storing them in the fridge makes a difference.

Also, would freezing them (either before or after baking) help extend their freshness? I’d love to hear from anyone who’s made kourabiedes ahead of time and has advice on how to keep them delicious for weeks. Thanks!
 
I've stored in airtight containers and they've kept well for several weeks.
 
Kourabiedes are perfect for making ahead, as they can stay fresh for up to 2-3 weeks if stored properly! After baking and coating them in powdered sugar, let them cool completely. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature, layering them with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Avoid the fridge, as it can dry them out or affect their texture.

If you want to extend their freshness even further, freezing is a fantastic option. You can freeze kourabiedes either before or after baking. If freezing after baking, let them cool, coat them lightly with sugar, and place them in freezer-safe containers with parchment layers. When ready to serve, thaw them at room temperature and give them a fresh dusting of powdered sugar for that festive look.
 

Greek Pasta: What’s Traditional and What’s New?

Lately I’ve been noticing how many pasta dishes show up on menus in Greece, especially in cities like Athens and Thessaloniki. It’s not just Italian-style pasta anymore, but all kinds of versions with local ingredients, cheeses, sauces, and seafood. That got me wondering where the line is between modern café food and dishes that are actually traditional.

Which pasta dishes are genuinely Greek in origin? I’m thinking about things like hilopites, kritharaki, or giouvetsi, but I’m sure there are others that don’t get talked about as much. Are these dishes something people still cook at home, or are they more tied to restaurants now?

I’d love to hear about regional pasta dishes, family recipes, or foods you grew up eating that involved pasta in some form. What feels truly Greek to you, and what feels more like a recent influence?

Greek Islands Food Traditions?

I love using travel in Greece as an excuse to explore regional food traditions, and lately I’ve been thinking about focusing more intentionally on the islands. I’ll likely be in Greece for about a month next summer, and I’d love to shape at least part of the trip around what each island is known for culinary-wise.

I know Crete has its own distinct style, and I’ve heard that places like Naxos, Syros, and Lesvos each have specialties that don’t always show up on mainland menus. But I’m sure I’m only scratching the surface.

If you’ve spent time on specific islands, what dishes really stood out to you? Are there traditional pies, seafood preparations, cheeses, sweets, or local products that feel essential to try in certain places? I’m especially curious about foods that are still made in homes or small tavernas rather than just tourist restaurants. Curious what you guys think!

What traditional Greek foods do you still cook at home?

Lately I’ve been realizing how much my everyday cooking has drifted away from traditional Greek food. I still love it just as much, but instead of making it at home, I often end up going out to Greek restaurants for the dishes I really crave.

There are a few things I still make regularly, though. Spanakopita is one that never fully left my kitchen, and there are a handful of simple, familiar flavors I return to when I want something comforting. But many of the dishes I grew up loving — the ones that feel more involved or time-consuming — have slowly turned into “restaurant foods” for me instead of home foods.

It made me curious about how this plays out for other people. Which traditional Greek dishes do you still cook at home on a regular basis? Are there foods you love but mostly eat out now instead? And what determines whether something stays part of your home cooking versus becoming a special treat?

Greek Dishes Using Winter Vegetables?

As the seasons change, I’m curious how winter vegetables show up in everyday Greek cooking. Not in a nostalgic or celebratory way, but in the practical meals that were made simply because those ingredients were available and affordable.

I’m thinking of vegetables like cabbage, leeks, potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, celery, and various greens — the kinds of things that quietly formed the base of many winter dishes. Often these meals didn’t feel special at the time, but they were reliable, filling, and familiar.

I’d love to hear which winter vegetable dishes stayed in regular rotation in your household. Were they mostly soups, oven dishes, lemon-based stews, or simple stovetop meals? And if you’re cooking outside Greece, did access to ingredients change which winter dishes you continued to make?

Making Greek Lemon Potatoes

I can't seem to get it right - mine never get crispy! This is the recipe I use. What do you think? Are the promotions okay? The technique?

Greek Lemon Potatoes​


Ingredients​

  • 2½–3 lbs Yukon Gold or yellow potatoes
  • ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1½ tsp dried oregano (Greek oregano if you have it)
  • 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ cup water or chicken broth

Instructions​

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F
  2. Cut the potatoes in wedges. Peel if you want to (don't have to).
  3. Arrange potatoes snugly in a large roasting pan (single layer if possible).
  4. In a bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
  5. Pour mixture over potatoes, then add water or broth around them (not on top).
  6. Toss gently to coat.
  7. Roast uncovered for 40–45 minutes, turning once halfway.
  8. Raise heat to 425°F and roast another 10–15 minutes until deeply golden.
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