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dimi_pat

Active member
Now that the holidays are winding down, I realize that I haven't been paying attention to my health and have been eating a lot of really decadent foods. I have also gained five pounds. So, I plan to eat a lot lighter after new Year's is over. I made a list of some great foods to focus on.

Greek Salad:
Greek salad is a staple in traditional Greek cuisine. It is known for its simplicity, freshness, and nutritional value. A Greek salad typically consists of lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, feta cheese, and kalamata olives, all drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice. This salad is a great way to add more vegetables to your diet and start your meal on a healthy note.

Grilled Fish:
Greek cuisine is famous for its seafood dishes. Fish is a great source of lean protein, omega-3 fats, and other essential vitamins and minerals. Grilled fish is a healthy option that can be flavored with a variety of Greek spices and herbs, such as oregano, dill, and thyme. Add a side of roasted or grilled vegetables, and you have a delicious and healthy meal.

Lentil Soup:
Lentil soup is another staple in Greek cuisine. It is a hearty and healthy soup that is loaded with fiber, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals. Lentil soup is easy to make, and you can add various vegetables and spices, such as onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. It is a perfect meal for those cold winter evenings, and it keeps you full for hours.

Stuffed Vegetables:
Stuffed vegetables are another popular Greek dish that is both healthy and flavorful. Greek stuffed vegetables can be made with various vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchinis, and tomatoes. The filling usually consists of rice, herbs, onions, tomatoes, and other vegetables. You can add some feta cheese on top for extra flavor. They are perfect for a light lunch or dinner.

Greek Yogurt:
Greek yogurt is a healthy and delicious alternative to regular yogurt. It is low in calories and high in protein, making it a perfect snack or meal replacement. Greek yogurt can be used for various dishes such as sauces, dips, and even desserts. You can add some honey, nuts, or fruits to add extra flavor to your Greek yogurt.

greek-yogurt.jpg
 
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I agree with all this. I would add:

Horta - Boiled Greens:

Horta is a traditional Greek dish that is made by boiling greens such as dandelion leaves, spinach, kale, or Swiss chard. Horta is incredibly easy to prepare, and you only need to boil the greens in water for a few minutes until they are tender. You can then add some olive oil, lemon juice, and salt to the mix to enhance the flavor.

Greek Cabbage Salad

The Greek cabbage salad is a refreshing and satisfying dish that is perfect for a light lunch or dinner. The ingredients used in this salad include shredded cabbage, and maybe other vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, olives, and feta cheese if I feel like adding them. It's great as a standalone meal or pair it with some grilled chicken or chickpeas for a complete and balanced dish.

Souvlaki

Souvlaki is a classic Greek dish that consists of skewered meat and vegetables that are grilled to perfection. You can use chicken, beef, lamb, or pork for your protein source, and add vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms to the skewers.
 

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.

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.

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!

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?

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?
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