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kosta_karapinotis

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I know that hortopita is a mix of greens, but does it taste very different? And is one more popular in certain areas over others? I've never tried it....I actually didn't even know it existed until I was looking for spanakopita recipes
 
Spanakopitta is made with spinach. Hortopitta is made with horta i.e. any edible leafy green or herb. I've made hortopitta with dandelion greens, amaranth leaves, Italian parsley, turnip greens, and purslane (aka the driveway weed), all these things in one pitta. Really any green stuff that's edible.
 
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Spanakopitta is made with spinach. Hortopitta is made with horta i.e. any edible leafy green or herb. I've made hortopitta with dandelion greens, amaranth leaves, Italian parsley, turnip greens, and purslane (aka the driveway weed), all these things in one pitta. Really any green stuff that's edible.
Is any type green better than the other? I'm assuming some taste a bit more earthy than others. Also, is it best to use a combo of greens?
 
Great question!

Essentially the main difference between hortopita and spanakopita is use of spinach vs greens.

Here is the recipe for both:


 
Spanakopitta is made with spinach. Hortopitta is made with horta i.e. any edible leafy green or herb. I've made hortopitta with dandelion greens, amaranth leaves, Italian parsley, turnip greens, and purslane (aka the driveway weed), all these things in one pitta. Really any green stuff that's edible.
I second the above. I have also made Horta from kale, chicory, escarole, endive, arugula, lamb's quarters (in Greek the plant is called "levethies") in addition to the ones mentioned. FYI, lamb's quarters taste just like spinach and behave similar to spinach in recipes.
 

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!

Greek cooking without a recipe?

I've been thinking about how much traditional Greek cooking relies on instinct rather than following exact recipes. Some of the Greek dishes I learned to make were taught to me by feel, with someone showing me what to do rather than measuring everything out.

I actually enjoy cooking this way, but I've noticed that it can make certain dishes difficult to recreate consistently! Sometimes everything comes together perfectly, and other times I wonder what I did differently.

I'm curious how others approach this. Did you learn Greek cooking by watching your yiayia, mother, or other relatives? Do you measure ingredients, or do you just know when something looks, smells, or tastes right?

What is your favorite Greek potato dish?

Potatoes show up in so many Greek meals, and I think they are often at their best when they soak up plenty of olive oil, lemon, herbs, and cooking juices.

Greek lemon potatoes are probably the first thing that comes to mind for me. I love when they are roasted until they are soft inside, a little crisp around the edges, and full of lemon and oregano. Potatoes cooked alongside chicken or lamb are also hard to beat because they absorb so much flavor from the pan.

I also enjoy simple boiled potatoes dressed with olive oil, lemon, parsley, and salt, especially with fish or grilled meat.

What Greek potato dish do you make most often? Do you prefer lemon potatoes, potatoes roasted with meat, fried potatoes, or something else? And is there a particular seasoning or family method that makes your version especially good?

How Much Garlic in a Batch of Tzatziki?

How much garlic do you usually put in a batch of tzatziki? I think I may be using a little too much. I usually make mine with about 2 cups of Greek yogurt and 4 cloves of garlic, along with cucumber, olive oil, and the other usual ingredients.

It tastes great when I first make it, but we usually take about three days to finish the batch. By the second or third day, the garlic flavor and smell become really strong. Some people in my household love that and don’t mind it at all, but others think it becomes a bit overpowering. I’m starting to agree that four cloves might be too much, especially since the garlic seems to get stronger as it sits.

What do you all do? How many cloves would you use for about 2 cups of Greek yogurt?

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.
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