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auroracoor1

Active member
I've always marinated lamb souvlaki in a simple ladolemono (olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper), and it's consistently delicious. Lately, though, I've been hearing about all kinds of other methods, and it's made me curious.

One person I know swears by nothing more than olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Others add dried oregano to that mix, while I've even seen people say they use bottled Greek dressing as a quick marinade. It seems like everyone has their own approach!

I'm wondering what is considered the more traditional method in Greece. Is there a classic marinade that most families use, or does it vary by region and household? Do you prefer fresh garlic or garlic powder? Lemon before grilling, after grilling, or both?

I'd love to hear your favorite lamb souvlaki marinades, family recipes, and any tips you've picked up over the years.
 
I've always marinated lamb souvlaki in a simple ladolemono (olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper), and it's consistently delicious. Lately, though, I've been hearing about all kinds of other methods, and it's made me curious.

One person I know swears by nothing more than olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Others add dried oregano to that mix, while I've even seen people say they use bottled Greek dressing as a quick marinade. It seems like everyone has their own approach!

I'm wondering what is considered the more traditional method in Greece. Is there a classic marinade that most families use, or does it vary by region and household? Do you prefer fresh garlic or garlic powder? Lemon before grilling, after grilling, or both?

I'd love to hear your favorite lamb souvlaki marinades, family recipes, and any tips you've picked up over the years.
my recipe is: olive oil, red wine, lemon juice, oregano, I use fresh oregano, from the herb garden. Mint, garlic and rosemary. I allow the meat to marinade over night or longer
 
I think this is one of those dishes where every family is convinced their way is the right way, and honestly, that's part of the charm.

My Greek relatives have always kept it fairly simple with olive oil, lemon juice, fresh garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. I've also had excellent lamb that was seasoned with little more than olive oil, salt, and oregano, so it seems like there isn't just one "correct" way to do it.

I personally prefer fresh garlic because the flavor seems brighter, and I almost always add another squeeze of lemon after the lamb comes off the grill. It really wakes everything up without overpowering the meat.

I haven't tried bottled Greek dressing as a marinade, although I can see why it's a popular shortcut. I'm looking forward to reading everyone's family recipes because I always enjoy seeing how these classic dishes vary from one household to another.
 

What herbs do you use when making Greek stuffed zucchini?

I've been thinking about making Greek stuffed zucchini (kolokithakia gemista), and I'm curious about which herbs everyone uses in the filling. I've seen quite a few variations, and it seems like the combination of herbs can really influence the overall flavor of the dish.

Some recipes use plenty of fresh dill and parsley, while others include mint or even a little oregano. I've also noticed that some people add green onions for extra flavor. I'm wondering whether certain herbs are considered more traditional, especially when making stuffed zucchini with rice and ground meat.

Do you use a combination of herbs, or do you prefer to keep the seasoning fairly simple? Does your family have a particular recipe that has been passed down through generations?

I'm especially interested in how the herbs complement the avgolemono sauce. What combination do you think gives Greek stuffed zucchini the best flavor?

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?

What Is the Best Way to Serve Taramosalata?

I absolutely love taramosalata and have it pretty regularly at home, but I’m having some people over soon and was wondering about the best way to serve it when entertaining.

Normally I just eat it with some bread or pita, so I don’t really put much thought into presentation. For guests, though, I’d like to make it part of a nice Greek-style spread with a few other things on the table. I was thinking warm pita triangles, crusty bread, maybe some cucumber and other vegetables for dipping, but I’m curious what everyone else usually serves with it.

Do you drizzle a little olive oil over the top or add any kind of garnish? And are there particular meze that you think pair especially well with taramosalata?

I’d love some ideas for making it look a little more special while still keeping everything traditional and simple.

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!

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?
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