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nadellii

Active member
I have a spice cabinet filled with dried herbs, which I use. But I can't seem to live without my fresh herbs! They bring something different to each dish. My favorites, and how I like to use them:

Oregano

This is a staple and my favorite! I use both the dried and fresh equally, just for different situations. I tend to use the fresh as a finisher.

Dill

Dill is another herb that is common. t has a fresh, grassy, and slightly sweet flavor. I don't like it all the time, and I find the dried herb to be useless. If I use it, I only use the fresh. I tend to like it in vegetable dishes or dishes with Greens.

Parsley

Parsley is a versatile herb and I use it all the time. It has a fresh, slightly bitter taste, and is often used as a garnish or a flavor enhancer in salads, soups, and sauces.

Mint

This is my favorite fresh herb! I put it in all kinds of savory dishes, particularly those that involve ground meat.

Rosemary

Rosemary has a distinctive, fragrant, and robust flavor, and is used in a variety of Greek dishes.I tend to like it with poultry and sometimes when I make roasted potatoes.

What are your favorites?


fresh-oregano.jpg
 
This is my list - all of these have different purposes in my cooking:

1. Dill – Dill is a common herb used in Greek cuisine, and it’s often used to flavor seafood dishes. It pairs well with lemon, feta cheese, and olive oil.

2. Oregano – Oregano is a versatile herb that you can use in just about any Greek dish. It’s often used in salads and soups, and it pairs well with meats, fish, potatoes, and eggplant.

3. Mint – Mint is an herb that’s commonly used in Greek dishes to add freshness and zest. It’s often used in salads, soups, and meat dishes. Mint pairs well with lamb, yogurt, and lemon.

4. Basil – Basil is a fragrant herb that’s often used in salads, pasta dishes, and sauces. It pairs well with tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese.

5. Bay leaves – Bay leaves are a flavorful herb that’s often used in stews, soups, and pasta dishes. They pair well with meats, poultry, and seafood.

6. Cinnamon – Cinnamon is a spice that’s often used in sweet and savory Greek dishes. It adds warmth and sweetness to dishes like moussaka and pastitsio.

7. Coriander – Coriander is a fragrant herb that’s often used in Greek dishes to add depth and complexity. It’s often used in sauces, stews, and marinades.

8. Garlic – Garlic is a staple in Greek cuisine, and it’s often used in sauces, stews, and meat dishes. It pairs well with lemon, tomato, and feta cheese.

9. Rosemary – Rosemary is a fragrant herb that’s often used in roasted meats and potatoes. It pairs well with lemon and olive oil.

10. Thyme – Thyme is a versatile herb that’s often used in Greek dishes to add a savory note. It pairs well with lamb, chicken, and roasted vegetables.
 

Essential Greek Pantry Staples - Your Recommendations?

I've recently developed a keen interest in Greek cuisine and I'm on a mission to incorporate more of its flavors into my daily cooking. Given the vast knowledge pool here, I thought this would be the perfect place to ask about must-have Greek pantry staples.

From what I gather, olive oil, olives, and feta cheese seem like obvious essentials. But I'm curious about the less obvious, yet equally important ingredients that could elevate my dishes with authentic Greek flavors.

Are there specific herbs, spices, or any other pantry items that are staples in Greek cooking? Additionally, if there are brands or types of these ingredients that you swear by, I'd love to hear about those too.

greek-food-pantry-items.jpg

Different kinds of baklava to try?

I've recently found myself on a delicious quest to explore the world of baklava, that rich, sweet pastry made of layers of filo filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey or syrup. I understand that baklava has roots in many culinary traditions across the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia, each bringing its own unique twist to this iconic dessert.

From what I’ve gathered, the variations of baklava are as numerous as they are delicious, differing in nuts, spices, types of syrup, and preparation methods. However, navigating through these variations is quite the challenge, and that’s where I’m seeking your collective wisdom!

I am curious what you guys think!

Greek grilling advice and tips?

It's getting warm out and time to break out the grill! I am interested in how do Greek people in Greece grill? I've had so many delicious grilled foods in Greece, I am having a hard time getting the same flavors here in the United States.

I've tried my hand at a few recipes, aiming to capture that authentic taste, but I feel like there's a deeper level of technique and tradition that I'm just not hitting. From choosing the right ingredients to mastering the grill itself, I know there’s a wealth of subtleties that can turn a good dish into a great one.

Do they use certain marinades or techniques? I've watched people in Greece grill - they don't even really follow recipes.

Cumin in Greek Cooking?

When I was in Greece, I bumped into a "spanakopita" in like a turnover style dough. It didn't have cheese and was spiced with cumin. I hadn't realized people use Cumin in Greece until I tasted it in this dish. I was kind of confused.

Do people actually use cumin in Greek cooking? None of the old recipes I have mention it. Could it be a more modern influence?

No Meat Dolmades (Stuffed Grape Leaves) Recipe

It has taken me a long time to get vegetarian dolmades to the point where I enjoy them. Here is my recipe. It uses a lot of oil, so strict fasters shouldn't eat them. But most people aren't super strict so I would even say these are good for lent!

Ingredients:​

  • 1 jar of grape leaves (about 60-70 leaves)
  • 1 cup short-grain rice
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh dill
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
  • Juice of 2 lemons
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Water

Instructions:​

  1. Prepare the Grape Leaves:
    • If using grape leaves preserved in brine, rinse them well under cold water to remove excess salt. If using fresh grape leaves, blanch them in boiling water for about 1 minute, then drain and rinse with cold water. Trim off any stems.
  2. Prepare the Filling:
    • In a large bowl, combine the rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped dill, chopped mint, chopped parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
  3. Fill and Roll the Grape Leaves:
    • Place a grape leaf flat on a clean work surface, shiny side down, with the stem end facing you. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the rice filling onto the center of the leaf, near the stem end.
    • Fold the bottom of the leaf over the filling, then fold in the sides, and roll tightly into a small cylinder.
    • Repeat with the remaining grape leaves and filling, arranging the rolled dolmades seam-side down in a large pot or deep skillet, packing them snugly together.
  4. Cook the Dolmades:
    • Once all the dolmades are rolled and packed in the pot, drizzle with a little olive oil and lemon juice.
    • Pour enough water into the pot to just cover the dolmades.
    • Place a heatproof plate or lid directly on top of the dolmades to keep them submerged during cooking.
    • Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer gently for about 45-60 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the grape leaves are tender.
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