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GreekGirlCooks

Active member
I’ve been thinking lately about how many soups are part of everyday Greek home cooking, especially compared to restaurant menus. Most people know avgolemono, but I’m curious what soups Greeks actually make regularly at home.

Growing up, I remember hearing about fasolada and lentil soup a lot, and I’ve also seen trahana mentioned in conversations online. It made me wonder what the “standard” soups are in different parts of Greece or in Greek families abroad.

What are the most common Greek soups people still cook today? Are they mostly winter foods, or are there lighter soups people make year-round? Also, are there any soups that are considered especially traditional for holidays, fasting periods, or village cooking?

Would love to hear what soups were common in your family growing up, or what you still make now.
 
In my family, fasolada and lentil soup were definitely the most common soups, especially during the colder months. They were simple, filling, and made with ingredients that were always on hand. Avgolemono showed up too, but usually when someone was feeling under the weather or for a special Sunday meal.

One thing that stands out to me is how closely Greek soups are tied to the seasons and the church calendar. Bean, lentil, and chickpea soups seem especially common during fasting periods because they’re hearty and naturally meat-free.

I’d be curious to hear whether people from different regions have local favorites. Are there any traditional village soups that are still widely made today?
 

What seafood do you like in Greece?

I'm planning another trip to Greece, and one thing I'm especially looking forward to is the seafood. Every time I've visited, it seems like every taverna has something a little different depending on where you are, and I've had some incredible meals along the coast.

I'm curious to hear what seafood do you always order when you're in Greece? Do you stick with grilled octopus, calamari, shrimp, or whole grilled fish, or is there a lesser-known dish that you think visitors should try? Are there certain islands or regions that you think serve the best seafood? I'd also love to hear if you have a favorite way it's prepared, not only to give me inspiration for what to order, but also when cooking at home.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

Do you marinate your souvlaki?

I've always marinated my souvlaki before grilling it. That's just how I learned to make it, and I usually let it sit for several hours, sometimes even overnight if I plan ahead. I always assumed that was the standard way to prepare it.

Recently, though, I found out that not everyone marinates their souvlaki. Some people simply season the meat right before cooking, while others use only olive oil, lemon, oregano, salt, and pepper without much time to marinate at all.

Now I'm wondering if I've been overthinking it all these years! Does marinating really make a noticeable difference, or is it more of a family tradition than a necessity?

I'd love to hear how everyone here prepares their souvlaki and whether you've noticed a difference in flavor or tenderness.

Favorite Greek dishes from childhood?

What are some of your favorite Greek dishes from childhood? I always find it interesting how certain foods can bring back such specific memories of family, holidays, Sunday dinners, or time spent with grandparents.

For some people, it might be something comforting like avgolemono soup, pastitsio, or moussaka. For others, it could be something much simpler, like bread with feta, horta, fasolakia, or a particular pie that someone in the family always made.

I’d especially love to hear about dishes that were common in your household but maybe aren’t as well known outside your family or region of Greece. Were there foods you didn’t appreciate much as a child but love now? Or dishes you still make exactly the way your mother or grandmother did?

What Greek foods immediately take you back to childhood, and what memories do you associate with them? Are there any family recipes you’ve made sure to keep alive?

What is your favorite meat to cook on the grill Greek-style?

What is your favorite meat to cook on the grill Greek-style? I always think Greek grilling is at its best when the seasoning is fairly simple and the flavor of the meat still comes through.

Lamb is probably the first thing that comes to mind, especially chops seasoned with olive oil, lemon, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pork souvlaki is another favorite, and chicken can be excellent when it has had enough time to marinate. I also really enjoy biftekia on the grill, especially when they are seasoned with herbs and served with lemon potatoes, salad, or grilled pita.

I’d love to hear what everyone else prefers. Do you usually grill lamb, pork, chicken, sausages, or something else? Are there any particular marinades, seasonings, or family techniques you always use? And what sides do you normally serve with a Greek-style grilled meal?

Getting Your Souvlaki Tender?

I made chicken souvlaki the other day, and for the first time it came out tougher than I expected. The strange part is that, as far as I can tell, I didn't overcook it. I used the same basic recipe I've made before, but the chicken just wasn't as tender or juicy this time.

Now I'm trying to figure out what might have gone wrong. Could it have been the cut of chicken, the quality of the meat, or maybe the marinade? I usually let it marinate for several hours, but I'm wondering if there's something else that makes a bigger difference.

What are your best tips for consistently tender chicken souvlaki? Do you use yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, or another ingredient that really helps? I'd love to hear your techniques so I can avoid ending up with tough souvlaki the next time I fire up the grill.
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