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seleanor

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Layer dips are great for parties! I usually see them made with Mexican style dips but I think why not make them Greek style! I like to make a layer base with fava or hummus for some fiber but I know fava isn't everyones favorite. Next, I like to add a layer of olive oil, cucumbers and tomato that are seasoned of course. After that I like to add a generous layer of tzatziki with some olive past on top and then an additional layer of tomatoes and cucumber. On top of everything is free oregano and a nice glug of olive oil!
 
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Layer dips are great for parties! I usually see them made with Mexican style dips but I think why not make them Greek style! I like to make a layer base with fava or hummus for some fiber but I know fava isn't everyones favorite. Next, I like to add a layer of olive oil, cucumbers and tomato that are seasoned of course. After that I like to add a generous layer of tzatziki with some olive past on top and then an additional layer of tomatoes and cucumber. On top of everything is free oregano and a nice glug of olive oil!
Sounds divine.
 
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Layer dips are great for parties! I usually see them made with Mexican style dips but I think why not make them Greek style! I like to make a layer base with fava or hummus for some fiber but I know fava isn't everyones favorite. Next, I like to add a layer of olive oil, cucumbers and tomato that are seasoned of course. After that I like to add a generous layer of tzatziki with some olive past on top and then an additional layer of tomatoes and cucumber. On top of everything is free oregano and a nice glug of olive oil!
Yes! I do something like this with hummus. My friends call it "Greek nachos". It is so good and always a popular thing when I bring it to people's homes.
 
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Greek cooking without a recipe?

I've been thinking about how much traditional Greek cooking relies on instinct rather than following exact recipes. Some of the Greek dishes I learned to make were taught to me by feel, with someone showing me what to do rather than measuring everything out.

I actually enjoy cooking this way, but I've noticed that it can make certain dishes difficult to recreate consistently! Sometimes everything comes together perfectly, and other times I wonder what I did differently.

I'm curious how others approach this. Did you learn Greek cooking by watching your yiayia, mother, or other relatives? Do you measure ingredients, or do you just know when something looks, smells, or tastes right?

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!

Do you make Greek lentil soup with vinegar

I’ve always made fakes with a splash of vinegar, either stirred into the pot near the end or added individually at the table. To me, that little bit of acidity is part of what makes the soup taste right, especially with the earthy lentils, olive oil, onion, garlic, and bay leaf.

But I have a Greek friend who makes hers very differently. She doesn’t use vinegar at all and instead adds quite a lot of tomato product, so her version is much redder and more tomato-forward than mine.

Now I’m curious about what is considered more traditional in Greek cooking. Is vinegar usually a standard part of fakes, or is it more of a regional or family preference? Are tomato-heavy versions just as traditional?

How do you make yours, and what did your family serve growing up?

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?

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?
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