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mastichas09

Active member
This is the old school way to make melomakarona! You need to make something called "ash water." In Greek its called stahtonero or alisiva. You make this by boiling water with homemade ashes from burning wood. There are some recipes that I have found online but unfortunately they are all in Greek. This is one of the most detailed ones, it explains everything! Here are the ingredients below in Greek....

Υλικά
(Μετράμε με ποτήρι νερού των 200 ml)

4 ποτήρια νερού ελαιόλαδο ελαφρύ (700 γρ)
2 ποτήρια του νερού ζάχαρη (450 γρ)
1 ποτήρι του νερού αλισίβα (220 γρ)
1 ποτήρι χυμό πορτοκάλι (22ο γρ)
1 κρασοπότηρο κονιάκ (140 γρ)
1,5 κουταλάκι γαρύφαλλο τριμμένο
3 κουταλάκια κανέλλα
ξύσμα από δύο πορτοκάλια
2 κουταλιές της σούπας σόδα
2 κιλά αλεύρι για όλες τις χρήσεις ή
(εγώ βάζω 800 γρ. κίτρινο χωριάτικο και 1200 γρ για όλες τις χρήσεις)


Σιρόπι
1 κιλό μέλι
1 ποτήρι ζάχαρη
3 ποτήρια νερό

Link: http://mariplateau.blogspot.com/2011/12/blog-post_20.html
 

Do you make your pastitsio with a thick or thin layer of krema?

I've always preferred my pastitsio with a nice, thick layer of béchamel on top. To me, that's one of the best parts of the dish! I love when the krema is rich, creamy, and thick enough to hold its shape when you cut into the pastitsio.

The problem is that I've been having trouble getting my krema just right. Sometimes it comes out too thin, and other times the texture isn't quite as smooth as I'd like. I've tried adjusting the amount of flour and milk, but I still haven't found the perfect balance.

I'm curious how everyone else makes theirs. Do you prefer a thick layer of béchamel or just enough to cover the pasta? Does your family add eggs or cheese to the mixture?

I'd especially love to hear any tips for making a thick, smooth krema that sets beautifully when baked!

Do You Put Cinnamon in Your Keftedes?

I’m curious how everyone here makes keftedes, especially when it comes to cinnamon. I know some Greek families add a little cinnamon to the meat mixture, while others would never think of putting it in.

In my experience, even a small amount can change the flavor quite a bit. It gives the keftedes a warmer, slightly sweeter spice in the background, but I can also see how it might not be for everyone. I’ve had versions that lean more heavily on oregano, mint, parsley, garlic, and onion instead.

Do you put cinnamon in your keftedes? If you do, how much do you usually use, and was that something your family always did? I’d also be curious to know if it varies depending on what part of Greece your family comes from.

Would love to hear how everyone seasons theirs and what you consider essential for really good keftedes.

How Much Garlic in a Batch of Tzatziki?

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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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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?

Greek cooking without a recipe?

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