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paharo45

Active member
I will be traveling to Greece and I have a gluten free person in my party. I thought I would make a running list of Greek foods that are naturally gluten free. The individual we are traveling with isn't Greek and she's really nervous about it. I am sure people can accommodate her while in Greece?

  • Greek Village Salad - As long as there
  • Grilled Octopus - this is popular in Greece and naturally gluten free.
  • Fava Dip - Made from yellow split peas, there shouldn't be gluten in this, but I would still ask how it's prepared.
  • Stuffed Grape Leaves - Known as dolmades, these small bundles of grape leaves are stuffed with rice, meat, and seasonings.
  • Souvlaki - Skewered meat (chicken, pork, beef) that is marinated in olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs and then grilled to perfection.
  • Tzatziki - A refreshing and creamy dip made with Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and dill. Perfect served with fresh veggies or as a topping for any grilled meats.
  • Gemista - A traditional Greek dish of stuffed peppers (and sometimes tomatoes) filled with a mixture of rice, herbs, and sometimes meat.
  • Greek Fish - Greece has a wealth of fresh fish, which is often served baked or grilled with lemon, herbs, and olive oil.
  • Gyro plate - it's not in pita bread - everything is deconstructed on the plate. Just tell them not to give you the pita.
What else? There's actually a lot! Any advice on navigating the whole gluten free thing in Greece?
 
Fasolakia ladera,
Melitzanes imam,
Xorta,
Briam,

Don’t worry, there are plenty of gluten free options in tavernas and restaurants as well as in the supermarkets. Vassilo poulia has a great selection. There is also a chain called viologiko xorio that caters to vegans vegetarians and gluten free peeps. It is in Athens but they also have a website if u want to order from.
 

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 secret to making really good Greek lemon potatoes?

I've been making Greek lemon potatoes for years, and it's one of those dishes I make completely by feel. I don't measure anything, and I never really thought about how I make them because it's all second nature to me.

Recently, I tried teaching someone how to make them. Everything seemed straightforward while we were cooking together, but when they went home and tried making them on their own, all kinds of things went wrong! The potatoes weren't cooking evenly, the texture wasn't quite right, and the lemon flavor didn't come through the way it should.

It made me realize how much I rely on instinct when cooking traditional Greek food. I rarely write down recipes, so explaining every little detail is harder than I expected!

For those who make Greek lemon potatoes regularly, what tips would you give someone who's just learning?

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?

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!

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!
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