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paharo45

Active member
I love portokalopita and want to start making it. I got a recipe from a friend. Wanted to run it by you to ask if you all thought it looked good. I didn't include the instructions because I figured it's kind of obvious.

Ingredients:​

Pie​

  • 1 lb phyllo dough (thawed if frozen)
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • Zest of 2 oranges
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Syrup​

  • 1 ⅔ cups water
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 1 cinnamon stick
 
Your recipe looks great and quite traditional! Portokalopita is all about that fragrant orange syrup soaking into the crispy phyllo, and your ingredient list hits all the right notes. A couple of thoughts:
  • Phyllo prep: I assume you'll be crumbling the phyllo before mixing it into the batter? Letting it dry out first (either overnight or in a low oven for a few minutes) helps it absorb the batter better and prevents sogginess.
  • Syrup tip: Make sure the syrup is completely cool before pouring it over the hot pie, so it soaks in properly without making it mushy.
  • Extra flavor boost: Some people like adding a splash of orange liqueur (like Grand Marnier) to the syrup for a deeper citrus aroma.
Overall your recipe looks pretty close to mine!
 

How to cook gigantes beans without them splitting?

I make gigantes all the time and they never split apart. I taught someone to make them, and they keep splitting! I swear I told this person everything, but I don't think I did, otherwise hers wouldn't split.

What is going on? What are some of the reasons for the split? I am to the best at explaining recipes because some things I do are automatic. But I have been cooking for most of my life and she's new to cooking. What do you think?

Potatoes in Moussaka?

For some reason, my family’s version of moussaka has never included potatoes, and I’m starting to wonder if I’ve been missing something all these years! We’ve always layered it with eggplant, a bit of zucchini, meat sauce, and béchamel, no potatoes. But lately I’ve seen so many recipes (especially from northern Greece) that add a layer of sliced or fried potatoes at the bottom, and people swear it gives the dish more structure and heartiness.

For those who make moussaka regularly — do you include potatoes? If so, where do you place them in the layering: bottom, middle, or alternating with the eggplant? Do they change the texture or make it too heavy? I love the idea of experimenting but don’t want to lose that light, custardy feel of our version. I’d love to hear how your families make it and whether the potato layer is a must!

What Are You Baking This Holiday Season?

Every holiday season, my kitchen fills with the smell of butter, honey, and toasted nuts, it’s not Christmas without a tray (or three!) of melomakarona and kourabiedes cooling on the counter. I still remember rolling them by hand with my yiayia and dusting everything in sugar until the whole room sparkled.

Now that I bake on my own, I’ve started adding little twists, a drizzle of dark chocolate on the melomakarona, or orange zest in the dough. Some years I even make tsoureki for the holidays instead of waiting for Easter.

I’m curious — what are your Greek holiday baking traditions? Do you stay loyal to the classic recipes, or try modern variations? Any family stories behind your favorite sweets? I’d love to hear what’s in your oven this season and which recipes you can’t celebrate without.

Do you ever mix traditional Greek recipes with modern twists?

I grew up cooking traditional Greek food. All the recipes in my kitchen are ones that have been passed down through my family.

I still make them exactly as they were written most of the time, but every now and then, I can’t help experimenting a little. I’ll swap ingredients, lighten things up, or try a more modern cooking method just to see how it turns out.

The funny thing is, even when the newer versions taste amazing, there’s still something about the old recipes that feels different. Maybe it’s the memories attached to them, such as the smells, the sounds, the people around the table.

I’m curious how others feel about this. Do you ever mix traditional Greek recipes with modern twists? Do you think it changes the soul of the dish, or do you see it as keeping our food culture alive and evolving?

Which type of Pita do you like the best?

There are so many kinds of pita in Greek cooking — soft, fluffy ones for gyros, thin crisp ones used with dips, and even regional styles that vary from Crete to Thessaloniki. Some are brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with oregano before baking, others stay plain to let the fillings shine.

Personally, I love the slightly thicker kind that gets charred on the grill — perfect for wrapping souvlaki or scooping up tzatziki. But the paper-thin, crispy ones have their own charm, especially fresh out of the oven with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of sea salt.

What about you? Do you prefer your pita soft, chewy, crispy, or stuffed? And do you make it at home or buy it fresh from a bakery? Share your favorites and any regional recipes you love!
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