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nm1999

Active member
I bumped into this dish the other day at a restaurant and I loved it. Found out the proprietors have family in Rhodes. I decided to ask them about how they make it... They gave me an explanation but not a concrete recipe, so I decided to look around. I found this recipe, tried it, made some tweaks, etc. This is my recipe now!

Ingrdients:

  • 1 pound of dried chickpeas
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon of cumin
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder
  • 1/4 bunch of parsley, finely chopped
  • 1/4 bunch of mint, finely chopped
  • Olive oil for frying
Instructions

1. Soak the chickpeas overnight or for at least 8 hours in plenty of water.
2. Drain and rinse the chickpeas and put them in a food processor.
3. Add the onion, garlic, cumin, salt, black pepper, and baking powder to the food processor. Pulse the mixture until it is well combined but not completely smooth.
4. Transfer the chickpea mixture to a bowl and stir in the parsley and mint.
5. Form small patties with your hands, about the size of a golf ball.
6. Heat the olive oil in a deep-frying pan over medium heat.
7. Add the patties to the oil, but do not overcrowd the pan.
8. Fry the patties for about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
9. Transfer the patties to a paper towel-lined plate to drain the excess oil.
 
This look delicious.
 

Is kalamaki the same as souvlaki?

So I was out with some Greek friends the other night, and one of them ordered kalamaki. I figured it was just another version of souvlaki, but they gave me that “you clearly don’t know” look. Now I’m wondering, what’s the actual difference? I’ve always thought souvlaki was the catch-all term for grilled meat on a stick, but they acted like kalamaki is its own thing.

Is it a regional thing? Is kalamaki a type of souvlaki, or are they completely different? Does it depend on whether it’s served on a stick, in pita, or on a plate? It seems like the same thing to me, but there might be some differences?

Which cheeses do you put in your tiropita?

I've made tiropita many times over the years and it always disappears fast, but I’ll admit—I’ve gotten into a bit of a rut with the cheese filling. I always use feta (of course), and believe it or not, I mix in cottage cheese. It actually gives it a nice creaminess and works well with the feta’s saltiness, but I’m curious to experiment with some other options.

What cheeses do you like to use in your tiropita? Have you ever used anthotyro, manouri, or graviera? I’ve seen people use ricotta or even cream cheese, but I haven’t tried those yet. I’m looking for a combo that’s still traditional, but maybe with a little twist—something that elevates the flavor or texture without making it too rich or heavy. Would love to hear your favorite blends or secret ingredients!

My Favorite Greek Ladokoulourakia Recipe

I love these olive oil cookies - I first had them in Greece and have been making them ever since.

Ingredients:​

  • 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground cloves (optional, but I love it)
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 4 to 4½ cups all-purpose flour
  • Optional: sesame seeds for topping

Instructions:​

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, orange juice, sugar, orange zest, baking soda, cinnamon, and cloves.
  3. Gradually add the flour, mixing until a soft, pliable dough forms. It should not stick to your hands.
  4. Shape into small ropes (~4–5 inches) and form into twists or rings.
  5. Place on baking sheet. Optional: brush with a little orange juice and sprinkle sesame seeds.
  6. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until lightly golden.

Greek Meal Prepping Tips?

I love cooking Greek food and do it often, but let’s be honest, some of our favorite dishes take forever to prepare. Between layering, slow simmering, and fresh chopping, it’s not always realistic on a busy weeknight. I’m starting to think about meal prepping Greek-style, but I’m not sure where to begin.

What traditional dishes work well for prepping ahead? I’m hoping for healthy options—think veggies, legumes, lean meats, maybe even Lenten dishes. Can you freeze moussaka or fasolada? Do you pre-roll dolmades and just steam them later? How do you store horta or prep spanakopita in advance without it getting soggy?

I’d love to hear what works for you, like batch cooking ideas, tips for storing or reheating, or any Greek dishes that get betterafter a day or two!

Which Greek dishes did you love as a kid?

I’m planning a big Greek family gathering soon and there will be a lot of kids there—some of them pretty picky eaters! It got me thinking about what I used to love as a kid growing up in a Greek household.

Honestly, I was a super picky eater back then (hard to believe now!), but there were still a few dishes I always wanted seconds of. I remember loving things like koulourakia, fried meatballs (keftedakia), and avgolemono soup. Simple, comforting, and easy to eat.

Now I’m wondering, which Greek dishes did you love as a kid? I’d love to serve a few things at the gathering that will be hits with the younger crowd but still feel authentically Greek. Bonus points if they’re easy to prep ahead or good for a buffet-style setup.
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