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seleanor

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I don't mean to be controversial here...but I'm curious about the origins of baklava. I've heard a lot of debate, does anyone know where it comes from?

baklava2.jpg
 
It's complicated! People from many different cultures and countries eat baklava. Since many people enjoy it, I would say why can't it be both?
 
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I don't mean to be controversial here...but I'm curious about the origins of baklava. I've heard a lot of debate, does anyone know where it comes from?

View attachment 199
Greeks lived a very long time in todays turkish territory and Greece was occupied by the ottomans for 400 years. I think is it very difficult to say from which part things come from. On my first trip to Greece (1973), coffee was called turkish coffee. Today you should not order
it with this name. Why don't you just enjoy it and hope this two countries can live in peace one day.
 
It's complicated. Phyllo originated in Greece in the 3rd Century BC. There is a similar dessert in Ancient Greece that has the same filing but uses a different dough. Many believe that the dish itself came from the Byzantine Empire. The word baklava has Turkish origins, but that doesn't mean that the dessert wasn't Byzantine or Greek first, and then reabsorbed into he Greek Culture through the Turkish name for it (because of Ottoman occupation). Some credit the Syrians or Egyptians for making it first. It is popular throughout the Mediterranean and its origin hasn't been well documented, so all we can do is guess. I am Greek so I vote Greek, though!
 
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Greeks lived a very long time in todays turkish territory and Greece was occupied by the ottomans for 400 years. I think is it very difficult to say from which part things come from. On my first trip to Greece (1973), coffee was called turkish coffee. Today you should not order
it with this name. Why don't you just enjoy it and hope this two countries can live in peace one day.
I had no idea that once upon a time they called in Turkish coffee in Greece too!
 
Is it Greek or Turkish? If it comes to that choice, it is Greek, for the simple reason that filo pastry was known and made in Ancient Greece. What else did they have in Ancient Greece? They had honey and they had almonds and walnuts. And that was a long time before the Turks arrived on the scene. Now, whether the Greeks actually invented baklava or borrowed it from an earlier culture...who knows? Also we should remember that Arab pirates raided the Dodecanese islands from the 7th century (?) AD onwards and as well as looting they would have abducted Greek women and taken them off to their lands. This is one way ideas and skills are promulgated.
 
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Neither Greek nor Turkish. It's coming from Arabs.
 
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Turks invented it, Greeks perfected it😉
All kidding aside, every country adds their own spin to it, it all tastes delicious!
 
Turks invented it, Greeks perfected it😉
All kidding aside, every country adds their own spin to it, it all tastes delicious!
I love tasting the different versions! That's the beauty of baklava
 

Easy Dakos Recipe

I went to Crete and I loved Dakos so much I learned how to make it. Here's my recipe. It just makes one. A tip - find the freshest ingredients possible!
  • 1 barley rusk (Cretan dakos rusks)
  • 1 large ripe tomatoes, grated or very finely chopped
  • 50g feta cheese, crumbled (about 1/2 cup crumbled)
  • Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
  • Fresh oregano or thyme, finely chopped
  • Olives and capers, to garnish
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions​

  1. Briefly soaking the barley rusk in water. They should be moistened but not soggy. Shake off any excess water and place each rusk on a serving plate.
  2. Spoon the grated tomatoes over the rusk, ensuring it is well covered. The juice from the tomatoes will further soften the rusks and add flavor.
  3. Top the tomatoes with the crumbled feta. You don't really have to measure, even though I gave an amount. Put what you want!
  4. Drizzle a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil over the top. Sprinkle with fresh oregano or thyme, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Garnish with olives and capers.
  5. Allow the Dakos to sit for a few minutes before serving to enable the flavors to meld together beautifully. Serve as a refreshing appetizer or a light meal.

How to make Koulouri - sesame bread rings?

When I went to Greece, one of my favorite snacks were the koulouri - or sesame bread rings.

I'm on a quest to recreate the delectable Greek Koulouri at home – those delightful sesame-crusted bread rings that are a staple street food in Greece. They are perfect for breakfast or as a snack any time of day, and I absolutely love their chewy texture and the rich taste that comes from being encrusted with toasted sesame seeds.

Is it a simple matter of taking any bread recipe and forming it into rings, and then putting sesame seeds on the rings? Or is it a bit more to it than that?

Strict Lenten Fast Greek Salad

I have to prepare a salad for a lenten meal at church. Most people aren't super picky about it, as long as there are vegetables present.

Last time I prepared a salad, someone saw there was oil in the dressing and wouldn't touch the salad! So, I looked it up - and oil isn't allowed during lent for a strict fast. I had no idea.

How do I compose a salad for a crowd that caters to the strict fast?

I am thinking to make the salad and just use vegetables, nothing else.

Then, I can offer a regular dressing choice, and then also maybe just lemon wedges or some vinegar for the stricter fasters? Do you guys think that would work?

What do you eat for breakfast?

I have been wondering what traditional Greeks eat for breakfast. I am a bit Americanized in my habits, but I noticed I am constantly not very hungry in the morning.

From what I've gathered, a traditional Greek breakfast might not be as globally recognized as the full English breakfast or the American pancakes and bacon, but it's definitely a feast worth exploring. I'm curious, does anyone here know what a traditional Greek breakfast consists of?

From the initial research, it seems that fresh ingredients play a big role, with items like Greek yogurt, honey, fresh fruit, and nuts being quite common. There's also mention of various types of bread and pastries, such as the famous Spanakopita (spinach pie) and Tyropita (cheese pie). However, I believe there's more to discover and learn from personal experiences or detailed insights.

Do any of you have Greek heritage or have been to Greece and experienced a traditional Greek breakfast firsthand?

Making Greek lemon potatoes?

I just had lemon potatoes at a restaurant and although I know how to cook Greek food, somehow I have never made this!

I took my best guess (I didn't look up a recipe) and it didn't taste great. Basically, I made a Ladolemono, drizzled it on the potatoes, and roasted them.

They never really got crispy - so my next thought is that I put too much of the ladolemono.

So the next time I made them, I put less of the ladolemono. I couldn't really taste the lemon.

Next, I am going to look up a recipe, but meanwhile I am curious what you guys do to make these.
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