1 - 2 of 2 Posts

dpappas87

Active member
I love pastitsio, but I’ve run into a practical problem, the traditional recipes make a lot of food. Even using a standard 9×13 pan ends up being more than I really need, especially when I’m just cooking for myself or one other person. Sometimes I just want enough for dinner (maybe with one leftover portion), not a full tray that lasts for days.

Has anyone had success making smaller batch pastitsio? Do you simply scale the ingredients down and use a smaller baking dish, or are there adjustments that help the layers hold together better when it’s made in a smaller quantity? I’ve wondered about using loaf pans, square pans, or even individual portions, but I’m not sure how that affects cooking time or texture.

I’d love to hear what has worked for others who still want the full pastitsio experience without committing to a huge pan every time.
 
I love pastitsio, but I’ve run into a practical problem, the traditional recipes make a lot of food. Even using a standard 9×13 pan ends up being more than I really need, especially when I’m just cooking for myself or one other person. Sometimes I just want enough for dinner (maybe with one leftover portion), not a full tray that lasts for days.

Has anyone had success making smaller batch pastitsio? Do you simply scale the ingredients down and use a smaller baking dish, or are there adjustments that help the layers hold together better when it’s made in a smaller quantity? I’ve wondered about using loaf pans, square pans, or even individual portions, but I’m not sure how that affects cooking time or texture.

I’d love to hear what has worked for others who still want the full pastitsio experience without committing to a huge pan every time.
 

What's the secret to great moussaka?

I've been cooking more traditional Greek meals lately, and I've really started to appreciate ladera dishes. There's something so comforting about vegetables slowly cooked in olive oil, tomatoes, herbs, and simple ingredients. They may not be flashy, but they're some of the most satisfying meals in Greek cuisine.

I'm curious, which ladera dish is your favorite? Briam, fasolakia, bamies, gigantes, arakas, imam bayildi, or something else? Is there a family recipe that stands out, or maybe a regional variation you grew up with?

I'd also love to hear how you serve it. Do you pair it with feta, crusty bread, olives, or something different? And if you have any tips for getting that rich, slow-cooked flavor, I'd love to hear those too.

Looking forward to hearing everyone's favorites and maybe finding a few new dishes to add to my rotation!

Healthy and Light Greek-Style Dinners

Now that summer is here and the temperatures have really started climbing, I've noticed myself craving lighter meals and rethinking some of my usual dinner choices. Foods that sounded comforting a few months ago suddenly feel a bit too heavy when it's 90 degrees outside.

I've always loved Greek food because so much of it naturally incorporates fresh vegetables, olive oil, herbs, seafood, and simple ingredients. Lately I've been making more Greek salads, grilled fish, and vegetable-based dishes, but I'm looking for additional ideas.

What are your favorite healthy and lighter Greek-style dinners during the hotter months? Are there traditional summer dishes that Greek families commonly make when the weather gets really warm? I'd especially love suggestions that don't require a lot of oven time, since I'm trying to keep the kitchen cool as well.

Looking forward to hearing what everyone enjoys during the summer!

Your Family's Version of Spanakopita?

I’ve noticed that everyone seems to make spanakopita a little differently, especially when it comes to family recipes passed down through generations. I’d love to hear how your family makes it!

Feta seems to be the one cheese that is always included, but do you add any other cheeses to the filling? I’ve seen recipes that use ricotta or other soft cheeses alongside the feta.

What about herbs? Do you use dill, parsley, mint, or a combination? And while spinach is obviously the main green, does your family add anything else, such as leeks, scallions, chard, or other greens?

I’m always interested in how much traditional Greek recipes vary from one family or region to another. There never seems to be just one way to make a dish! What goes into your family’s spanakopita filling, and what makes your version special?

Anyone Else Grow Their Own Oregano?

I've started growing my own Greek oregano, and it's become one of my favorite herbs to have on hand. There's nothing like it! The flavor is so much better than the dried oregano I buy at the store! I sometimes take cuttings and dry my own, too, and mine even tastes better than store bought.

Right now I keep mine in large pots instead of planting it in the ground. Since our winters can get pretty cold, I bring the pots indoors before the first hard frost and then put them back outside in the spring. It's worked fairly well so far, but I'm wondering if there's a better approach.

For those of you who grow oregano, do you keep it in containers year-round, plant it directly in the garden, or do something else entirely? How does it handle your winters? I'd love to hear what has worked best for you and any tips you've picked up over the years.

Traditional Greek Dishes Using Wild Greens

I enjoy collecting wild greens during the summer, and I’ve been looking for more traditional Greek ways to use them. I live outside of Greece, so I obviously don’t have access to all the same varieties of horta that grow there, but I can find quite a few edible wild greens locally.

I usually keep things simple and boil the greens, then serve them with olive oil and lemon. However, I know there must be many other traditional dishes that use wild greens. I’ve heard of hortopita and different regional pies, but I’d love to learn about soups, stews, rice dishes, or other recipes that incorporate them.

Which traditional Greek dishes use wild greens? Are there particular combinations of greens that work best for certain recipes? I’d also be interested in hearing how your family prepares horta or whether you substitute locally available wild greens when living outside Greece.
Sign up for a free account and share your thoughts, photos, questions about Greek food, travel and culture!

WorldwideGreeks.com is a free online forum community where people can discuss Greek food, travel, traditions, history and mythology.
Join Worldwide Greeks here!

JOIN COMMUNITY FOR FREE

LOGIN TO YOUR ACCOUNT
Back
Top