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nadellii

Active member
This is a pic of everything that was served but you’ll see my pastitsio in the middle! I used my friends secret recipe so I can’t share sadly (she takes these things super seriously)

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WOWWW this looks so good!

It does not look like you need it, but for those that are reading and don't know, here are a few Greek pastitsio recipes:




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This is a pic of everything that was served but you’ll see my pastitsio in the middle! I used my friends secret recipe so I can’t share sadly (she takes these things super seriously)

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This looks spectacular - nice job! I love how the top has a delicious, caramelized look.
 
This looks fantastic! For me, pastitso is all about he Krema - it is tricky to get it right. It looks like you have gotten it right!!! When my yiayia passed away, "the touch" that she had with the Krema passed with her. I feel like we are finally close to replicating.
 
This looks delicious...unless it has cinnamon and cloves in which case I'm out :ROFLMAO:
 
This looks delicious...unless it has cinnamon and cloves in which case I'm out :ROFLMAO:
Oh no! My favorite is when it's spiced with cinnamon. For me, this is the fun of Greek cooking. There are so many different variations!
 
This looks fantastic! For me, pastitso is all about he Krema - it is tricky to get it right. It looks like you have gotten it right!!! When my yiayia passed away, "the touch" that she had with the Krema passed with her. I feel like we are finally close to replicating.
Just go by a box of bechamel at the store and you'll have a nice cream.
 
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I didn't know you can buy boxed béchamel, do you just add milk/water?
You just add milk.

My wife uses this one when she makes pastitsio (she's from Greece), but don't buy it for $13 because that's an outrageous price - it usually sells for about $3.50.... You should go to a local international store and look to see if they have anything.

 
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You just add milk.

My wife uses this one when she makes pastitsio (she's from Greece), but don't buy it for $13 because that's an outrageous price - it usually sells for about $3.50.... You should go to a local international store and look to see if they have anything.

Good point! I like to buy European versions of the mix at Greek supermarkets
 

Is lamb or beef more traditional for giouvetsi?

I've been looking into traditional Greek giouvetsi recipes lately, and I'm curious about which meat is considered the most traditional. I've seen recipes that use lamb, others that call for beef, and even some that use chicken.

I love the idea of slowly cooking the meat in a rich tomato sauce with orzo until everything becomes tender and flavorful. However, I'm wondering whether lamb or beef would be the more authentic choice.

Is one traditionally preferred in certain regions of Greece? I've read that lamb is often associated with older Greek recipes, but beef seems to be very common in modern versions of giouvetsi.

I'm also curious whether the choice of meat changes the way the dish is prepared. Does lamb require different seasonings or cooking times than beef?

For those familiar with traditional Greek cooking, which version do you prefer, and which would you recommend trying first?

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.

Favorite Greek Cheeses Beyond Feta

Feta gets most of the attention when people talk about Greek cheese, but there are so many other varieties worth trying. I’m curious which Greek cheeses everyone enjoys most beyond feta.

Graviera is one of my favorites because it works so well on a cheese plate, grated over dishes, or just eaten with bread. Kasseri is another one I really like, especially melted. I’ve also been interested in trying more regional cheeses like metsovone, manouri, kefalotyri, and formaela.

Some Greek cheeses seem to be much easier to find outside Greece than others, so I’d also love to know which ones people regularly buy and where they usually find them.

What Greek cheeses do you keep coming back to? Are there certain ones you associate with a particular region, dish, or family tradition? And if someone has mostly eaten feta, which Greek cheese would you recommend they try next?

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?

Do You Make Avgolemono Thick or Brothy?

I usually prefer avgolemono somewhere in the middle. I don’t like it so thick that it feels almost like a cream soup, but I also don’t want it completely thin and brothy. For me, the best version has enough egg and lemon to give the broth some body while still keeping it light.

A lot probably depends on what kind of avgolemono you’re making, too. In chicken soup, I like it a little more brothy because I want the rice or orzo and chicken to still stand out. With something like lahanodolmades, I don’t mind the avgolemono sauce being thicker because it is coating the food rather than serving as the soup itself.

The lemon level matters just as much as the thickness. I like enough lemon to make it bright and noticeable, but not so much that it overwhelms everything else. I think balance is really the key.
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