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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.
 

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.

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?

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?

Is lamb or beef more traditional for giouvetsi?

I've been looking into traditional Greek giouvetsi recipes lately, and I'm curious about which meat is considered the most traditional. I've seen recipes that use lamb, others that call for beef, and even some that use chicken.

I love the idea of slowly cooking the meat in a rich tomato sauce with orzo until everything becomes tender and flavorful. However, I'm wondering whether lamb or beef would be the more authentic choice.

Is one traditionally preferred in certain regions of Greece? I've read that lamb is often associated with older Greek recipes, but beef seems to be very common in modern versions of giouvetsi.

I'm also curious whether the choice of meat changes the way the dish is prepared. Does lamb require different seasonings or cooking times than beef?

For those familiar with traditional Greek cooking, which version do you prefer, and which would you recommend trying first?

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!
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