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voula_slat

Active member
Named because it looks like a log of salami, this is actually an easy and decadent dessert. It’s also called Kormos, I think. These are the ingredients I use:
  • 3 cups crumbled chocolate graham crackers
  • 2 T Cognac
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • Vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup Unsweetened Cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
In a bowl, add the crackers and sprinkle with cognac. Mix the rest of the ingredients to another bowl until combined. Fold in the crackers with a rubber spatula. Spread the mixture over wax paper and shape into a log. Put in freezer for 3 hours. Slice and serve.
 
Named because it looks like a log of salami, this is actually an easy and decadent dessert. It’s also called Kormos, I think. These are the ingredients I use:
  • 3 cups crumbled chocolate graham crackers
  • 2 T Cognac
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • Vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup Unsweetened Cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
In a bowl, add the crackers and sprinkle with cognac. Mix the rest of the ingredients to another bowl until combined. Fold in the crackers with a rubber spatula. Spread the mixture over wax paper and shape into a log. Put in freezer for 3 hours. Slice and serve.
Translation for kormos is tree trunk. I have made this with British tea crackers and it turned out good. The first time I had it was in a small town (Kymini) outside of Thessaloniki.
Here is my recipe: 1/2c sugar, 4TBS coca, 1/2 c coffee, butter, heat on low to melt butter. Add vanilla. Add chopped walnuts to biscuits, pour sauce over biscuits and nut mixture. roll in saran wrap and place in freezer wrapped in foil. Some people roll in coconut flakes or crushed nuts.
 
Translation for kormos is tree trunk. I have made this with British tea crackers and it turned out good. The first time I had it was in a small town (Kymini) outside of Thessaloniki.
Here is my recipe: 1/2c sugar, 4TBS coca, 1/2 c coffee, butter, heat on low to melt butter. Add vanilla. Add chopped walnuts to biscuits, pour sauce over biscuits and nut mixture. roll in saran wrap and place in freezer wrapped in foil. Some people roll in coconut flakes or crushed nuts.
I have never made it, but I plan to make it soon. Maybe I would use something like vanilla wafter cookies for this? I imagine they need to be crunchy. Thank you, both, for sharing you recipes! I never would have thought to add coffee, and I also had no idea Kokomos meant tree trunk.
 
Vanilla wafer cookies work wonderfully. It is more traditional to make it with these cookies. With that being said you can add anything to a good kormo recipe and give it your own twist.
 
Thank you for all the tips! I plan to use vanilla wafer cookies next time - seems like the easiest option and I wasn't quite happy with the chocolate grahams. Thank you!
 

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!

Do you put potatoes in your briam?

I've noticed that there are quite a few variations of briam, especially when it comes to which vegetables people include. One ingredient I'm particularly curious about is potatoes. Do you always put potatoes in your briam, or do you prefer making it without them?

I usually think of briam as a combination of zucchini, eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and plenty of olive oil. I love how the potatoes absorb all those wonderful flavors as everything slowly roasts together in the oven.

However, I've seen recipes that leave the potatoes out entirely and focus more on the summer vegetables. I imagine that makes the dish a little lighter.

I'm also curious whether there are regional differences in how briam is prepared throughout Greece. Does your family have a particular way of making it? And what vegetables do you consider absolutely essential?

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.

What is your favorite Greek potato dish?

Potatoes show up in so many Greek meals, and I think they are often at their best when they soak up plenty of olive oil, lemon, herbs, and cooking juices.

Greek lemon potatoes are probably the first thing that comes to mind for me. I love when they are roasted until they are soft inside, a little crisp around the edges, and full of lemon and oregano. Potatoes cooked alongside chicken or lamb are also hard to beat because they absorb so much flavor from the pan.

I also enjoy simple boiled potatoes dressed with olive oil, lemon, parsley, and salt, especially with fish or grilled meat.

What Greek potato dish do you make most often? Do you prefer lemon potatoes, potatoes roasted with meat, fried potatoes, or something else? And is there a particular seasoning or family method that makes your version especially good?
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