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d_kakavouli

Active member
Rice pilaf is such a great dish but you don't really see it in many Greek restaurants. Its one of my favorite foods that I ate growing up :) Here is the recipe
  • 2/3 cup dried lentils, soaked in cold water for 2 hours
  • 1/3 cup Greek olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 large carrots, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon ground coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3/4 cup uncooked long grain rice
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Greek honey
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon dried Greek oregano
  • 2 tablespoons fresh, chopped parsley
Strain the lentils and add them to a medium saucepan. Fill the pan with water so that the lentils are covered and bring to a boil over medium-high heat with the lid on the pan. Turn off the heat and let the lentils stand for about ten minutes. Strain them again and set them aside. Pour the olive oil into a deep skillet. Set the heat to medium and let it warm for about a minute. Add the onions and saute until they just begin to get soft. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Add the carrots and saute for anothr 2-3 minutes.

Stir in the coriander, allspice, cinnamon, and bay leaves. Stir in the rice and lentils. Cook the mixture together for about a minute. Stir in the broth, salt, pepper, honey, vinegar, and oregano. Cover the skillet and cook until the mixture comes to a boil. Reduce to a simmer on low heat and cook until all the water absorbs. Stir in the parsley just before serving.

This is what the pilafi will end up looking like

Pilafi-me-Fakes-720x480.jpg
 
This is very close to the way my family makes it. I love the combination of the cinnamon with the tomato sauce. This is an excellent recipe, thanks for sharing it.
 

Which Greek dishes did you love as a kid?

I’m planning a big Greek family gathering soon and there will be a lot of kids there—some of them pretty picky eaters! It got me thinking about what I used to love as a kid growing up in a Greek household.

Honestly, I was a super picky eater back then (hard to believe now!), but there were still a few dishes I always wanted seconds of. I remember loving things like koulourakia, fried meatballs (keftedakia), and avgolemono soup. Simple, comforting, and easy to eat.

Now I’m wondering, which Greek dishes did you love as a kid? I’d love to serve a few things at the gathering that will be hits with the younger crowd but still feel authentically Greek. Bonus points if they’re easy to prep ahead or good for a buffet-style setup.

Preserving Fresh Herbs Options?

I have fresh herbs growing beautifully in my yard right now, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, and a few others I use all the time in my Greek cooking. I dry oregano every year, but I’m wondering what other methods people use to preserve fresh herbs beyond just drying.

For example, can you freeze dill without it turning brown or losing flavor? What about mint, has anyone had luck preserving it in ice cubes or oil? I’d love to have a supply that still tastes vibrant when I cook things like yemista, dolmades, or spanakopita in the winter months.

Are there any Greek-style herb pastes or traditional methods that people still use? I’ve heard of storing parsley in lemon juice, but I’ve never tried it. I’d really love to keep the flavor of summer going year-round, especially since these herbs are such a big part of how I cook.

Handling dried gigantes?

I’m a huge fan of gigantes plaki and other dishes that use these giant beans. I am really struggling with the dried ones.

No matter how long I soak or boil them, they never seem to get quite soft enough. I’ve tried overnight soaking, longer cooking times, even baking soda in the soak water. Still hit-or-miss results. Sometimes they split before they soften, or the skins get tough.

I know canned gigantes exist, but I’d love to master the dried kind, especially for homemade plaki where texture really matters.

Any tips? Is there a soaking method or cooking trick that’s worked well for you? I am considering trying to get them soft in a pressure cooker, maybe that will help?

Good Meze for Outdoor Barbecue?

I’m Greek and love to cook traditional food, especially when the weather’s nice and we can eat outside! I often host outdoor dinner parties with a grill going and a table full of friends and family. I’m looking for ideas for meze that hold up well outdoors while everyone’s mingling and waiting for the main meal to be ready.

I usually do the basics like tzatziki, olives, and pita, but I’d love to add a few more options that can sit out for a bit without wilting or drying out. Ideally, things that don’t need to be piping hot or refrigerated immediately—especially since I like the relaxed, come-and-go vibe during grilling.

What are your go-to Greek starters or finger foods for an outdoor setting?

My Favorite Greek Ladokoulourakia Recipe

I love these olive oil cookies - I first had them in Greece and have been making them ever since.

Ingredients:​

  • 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground cloves (optional, but I love it)
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 4 to 4½ cups all-purpose flour
  • Optional: sesame seeds for topping

Instructions:​

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, orange juice, sugar, orange zest, baking soda, cinnamon, and cloves.
  3. Gradually add the flour, mixing until a soft, pliable dough forms. It should not stick to your hands.
  4. Shape into small ropes (~4–5 inches) and form into twists or rings.
  5. Place on baking sheet. Optional: brush with a little orange juice and sprinkle sesame seeds.
  6. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until lightly golden.
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