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nm1999

Active member
Everything is better when you add wine

Here are the ingredients
  • 1/4 cup Greek olive oil
  • 3 slices pancetta, diced
  • One whole chicken (about 4 pounds), cut in 6 pieces
  • 2 large onions, chopped
  • 3 carrots, peeled and cut into 4 pieces
  • 1 fennel bulb, fronds removed and chopped
  • 2 cups whole, small mushrooms – washed and trimmed (optional)
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup sweet red wine, such as Mavrodaphne
  • 1 cup dry red wine
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Water, as needed
  • 3 tablespoons chopped, fresh parsley
Heres how to make it
Add the oil to a dutch oven and heat over medium for 30 seconds. Add the pancetta and saute for 1 minute. Add the chicken and sear on on side for 5 minutes. Turn the pieces over and sear for another 5 minutes. Sear the chicken pieces in batches if they don’t fit in the pan at once. Remove the chicken fro the pan and set aside.

Add the onions, carrots, and fennel and saute over medium heat for 5 minutes. If using mushrooms, add them and saute for 1 minute. After that, add the garlic and saute for one minute. Add the chicken back to the pan and add the sweet wine, dried wine, red pepper flakes, thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, and salt. If the mixture doesn’t cover the chicken, add a little water until it does.

Cover the pan and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it does, reduce the heat to low to simmer the stew for 45 minutes. Turn the chicken pieces over, return the lid to the pan, and then simmer the stew for another 45 minutes.

Remove the chicken and vegetables from the pan, leaving the liquid behind. With the pan uncovered, bring the liquid to a boil and then drop it to a simmer. Let it cook for about five minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly. Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables and then sprinkle with the fresh parsley just before serving.
 

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 the Best Way to Serve Taramosalata?

I absolutely love taramosalata and have it pretty regularly at home, but I’m having some people over soon and was wondering about the best way to serve it when entertaining.

Normally I just eat it with some bread or pita, so I don’t really put much thought into presentation. For guests, though, I’d like to make it part of a nice Greek-style spread with a few other things on the table. I was thinking warm pita triangles, crusty bread, maybe some cucumber and other vegetables for dipping, but I’m curious what everyone else usually serves with it.

Do you drizzle a little olive oil over the top or add any kind of garnish? And are there particular meze that you think pair especially well with taramosalata?

I’d love some ideas for making it look a little more special while still keeping everything traditional and simple.

What Greek Foods Do You Start Craving in the Fall?

I've been thinking more about seasonal eating lately, especially from a Greek perspective. Summer Greek food feels so naturally tied to the season with tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, fresh herbs, grilled foods, and plenty of fruit. But once the weather starts cooling down, I find myself wondering what traditional Greek foods really feel like fall.

Are there certain dishes you start making as soon as September or October arrives? I'm thinking of foods like fasolada, giouvetsi, trahana soup, baked dishes, savory pies, and recipes using apples, grapes, walnuts, chestnuts, pumpkin, or other fall ingredients.

I'd especially love to hear about foods that were seasonal in your family rather than dishes you ate year-round. Were there certain meals your yiayia or parents always started making when the weather changed?

What Greek foods make you think, "Okay, fall is officially here"?

How does your family season dolmades?

I’ve been thinking about how much dolmades can vary from one family to another, especially when it comes to seasoning. Even when the basic ingredients are similar, the flavor can be completely different depending on which herbs and spices are used.

How does your family season dolmades? Do you use mostly dill and parsley, or do you add mint as well? I’ve also seen recipes that include green onions, oregano, or even a little cinnamon, especially when meat is part of the filling.

I’m curious whether you season the rice mixture pretty heavily before rolling the grape leaves or keep it simple and let the lemon and olive oil provide most of the flavor. Does your family add lemon juice directly to the filling, or only during cooking and serving?

I’d especially love to hear about any regional or family traditions. What gives your dolmades their distinctive flavor?

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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