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kcixcy

Active member
I have been trying to develop an intuitive feel for Greek cooking. One of the dishes I have been trying to test these principals on is keftedes. I have made them a few different ways ... First of all, sometimes I use different meats or different combinations of meats. I have used beef, pork, lamb, and combinations of these. I am the same way with herbs used in the mix - sometimes I use spearmint, parsley, oregano, I tried dill once (didn't like it).

I have done so much experimenting that I have lost sight ... what are Greek keftedes really? Talking with people, I realize that the recipes differ greatly depending on the family.
 
I have been trying to develop an intuitive feel for Greek cooking. One of the dishes I have been trying to test these principals on is keftedes. I have made them a few different ways ... First of all, sometimes I use different meats or different combinations of meats. I have used beef, pork, lamb, and combinations of these. I am the same way with herbs used in the mix - sometimes I use spearmint, parsley, oregano, I tried dill once (didn't like it).

I have done so much experimenting that I have lost sight ... what are Greek keftedes really? Talking with people, I realize that the recipes differ greatly depending on the family.
Add hamburg, egg and sliced bread to a bowl. Add spearmint and parsley. Mix by hand. Pick up 2 inch balls. Fry in olive oil. That's what Ma did. Simple and simply delicious. :)
 
Add hamburg, egg and sliced bread to a bowl. Add spearmint and parsley. Mix by hand. Pick up 2 inch balls. Fry in olive oil. That's what Ma did. Simple and simply delicious. :)
That sounds so good! Very traditional.
 
I would say that we always need spearmint and onions, and sometimes parsley. I use bread or bread crumbs. I have baked them but it isn't the same. To me, they need to be fried.
 

Do you make Greek lentil soup with vinegar

I’ve always made fakes with a splash of vinegar, either stirred into the pot near the end or added individually at the table. To me, that little bit of acidity is part of what makes the soup taste right, especially with the earthy lentils, olive oil, onion, garlic, and bay leaf.

But I have a Greek friend who makes hers very differently. She doesn’t use vinegar at all and instead adds quite a lot of tomato product, so her version is much redder and more tomato-forward than mine.

Now I’m curious about what is considered more traditional in Greek cooking. Is vinegar usually a standard part of fakes, or is it more of a regional or family preference? Are tomato-heavy versions just as traditional?

How do you make yours, and what did your family serve growing up?

Favorite Greek Cheeses Beyond Feta

Feta gets most of the attention when people talk about Greek cheese, but there are so many other varieties worth trying. I’m curious which Greek cheeses everyone enjoys most beyond feta.

Graviera is one of my favorites because it works so well on a cheese plate, grated over dishes, or just eaten with bread. Kasseri is another one I really like, especially melted. I’ve also been interested in trying more regional cheeses like metsovone, manouri, kefalotyri, and formaela.

Some Greek cheeses seem to be much easier to find outside Greece than others, so I’d also love to know which ones people regularly buy and where they usually find them.

What Greek cheeses do you keep coming back to? Are there certain ones you associate with a particular region, dish, or family tradition? And if someone has mostly eaten feta, which Greek cheese would you recommend they try next?

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?

What is the secret to making really good Greek lemon potatoes?

I've been making Greek lemon potatoes for years, and it's one of those dishes I make completely by feel. I don't measure anything, and I never really thought about how I make them because it's all second nature to me.

Recently, I tried teaching someone how to make them. Everything seemed straightforward while we were cooking together, but when they went home and tried making them on their own, all kinds of things went wrong! The potatoes weren't cooking evenly, the texture wasn't quite right, and the lemon flavor didn't come through the way it should.

It made me realize how much I rely on instinct when cooking traditional Greek food. I rarely write down recipes, so explaining every little detail is harder than I expected!

For those who make Greek lemon potatoes regularly, what tips would you give someone who's just learning?

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.
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