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mj_toronto8

Active member
I love Greek bread and I try making it at home. It's good, but not great. Somehow when I get it at the bakery it tastes better.

Ingredients:
- 4 cups of flour
- 1 package of active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 2 cups of warm water
- 2 T olive oil

Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt and mix well.
2. Add the warm water and oil to the mixing bowl and mix until the dough comes together.
3. Using your hands, knead the dough on a floured surface until it is smooth and elastic.
4. Grease a large bowl with olive oil, then place the dough in the bowl. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until the dough has doubled in size.
5. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
6. Once the dough has risen, place it back onto a floured surface and knead it gently. Shape the dough into a round loaf or whatever shape you like and place it onto a baking sheet.
7. Bake the bread for 35-40 minutes, or until it is golden brown on the outside.
8. Serve it warm with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt.

greek-bread-recipe.jpg
 
Hi mj_toronto8

The recipe you posted is solid and sure enough it will make you some good tasting quick bread. But the key word here is quick. If you want to have a superior flavor then you might consider slow proofing (slow rising). Slow rising is when you bread will develop a nice flavor. It will require less amount of yeast so it can have time for it to rise slowly and create that nice flavor.
 
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Hi mj_toronto8

The recipe you posted is solid and sure enough it will make you some good tasting quick bread. But the key word here is quick. If you want to have a superior flavor then you might consider slow proofing (slow rising). Slow rising is when you bread will develop a nice flavor. It will require less amount of yeast so it can have time for it to rise slowly and create that nice flavor.
I agree - a quick rise doesn't seem to taste as good as a slower one. The yeast leaves a stronger aftertaste when the bread rises too fast.
 

Top 5 Favorite Greek Foods to Grill?

I absolutely love hosting summer dinner parties outside, there’s nothing better than good food, good company, and a warm evening breeze. I tend to stick with Greek food (with a few fun twists), and grilling has become my favorite way to cook when entertaining.

Here’s my current top 5 for the grill:
  1. Leg of lamb (slow and juicy!)
  2. Souvlaki (can’t go wrong)
  3. Grilled whole fish, Greek style with lemon and herbs
  4. Greek veggies in a grill pan—zucchini, peppers, onions, the works
  5. Pizza! Not traditional Greek, but it’s always a crowd pleaser
I’m always looking for new ideas to add to the lineup. What are your favorite Greek (or Greek-inspired) dishes to grill? I’d love to hear what others are making—especially things that feel festive, flavorful, and easy to serve outdoors. Open to everything from meats to cheeses to sides...

Frying Saganaki the Right Way?

I love saganaki. There’s nothing better than that golden, crispy cheese with a squeeze of lemon. I always order it at Greek restaurants, but I’ve never actually tried making it myself at home. I’m finally ready to give it a shot and could really use some tips!

What’s the best type of cheese to use? I’ve heard of kefalograviera and kasseri, but I’m not sure which gives the best result. Also, how do you keep it from melting into a puddle or sticking to the pan?

Do you dredge it in flour or something else? Olive oil or another type of oil for frying? And how do you get that perfect crispy edge without burning it?

Handling dried gigantes?

I’m a huge fan of gigantes plaki and other dishes that use these giant beans. I am really struggling with the dried ones.

No matter how long I soak or boil them, they never seem to get quite soft enough. I’ve tried overnight soaking, longer cooking times, even baking soda in the soak water. Still hit-or-miss results. Sometimes they split before they soften, or the skins get tough.

I know canned gigantes exist, but I’d love to master the dried kind, especially for homemade plaki where texture really matters.

Any tips? Is there a soaking method or cooking trick that’s worked well for you? I am considering trying to get them soft in a pressure cooker, maybe that will help?

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!

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?
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