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d_kakavouli

Active member
I recently had something called "spanakofetedes" or spinach balls, at someone's else. It was the first time I had them and I loved them! I know that in Greek cuisine, especially in Greece, you'll often see dishes like these made of various veggies. Like on Santorini, they make something like this out of tomatoes.

So I decided to track down a recipe. The person explained to me how to make them, and between that and some research, I made my best guess as to how to make them. What do you guys think?

Ingredients:
-1 lb spinach
-½ lb feta cheese
-2 tbsp chopped dill
-2 tbsp chopped mint
-1 large onion
-4 scallions
-1 garlic clove
-2 tbsp flour
-1 egg
-1 tsp salt
-pepper
-vegetable oil for frying

Instructions:
1. Begin by washing the spinach leaves and remove the stems. Then slice the leaves into small pieces.
2. Take a large mixing bowl and crumble the feta cheese into it.
3. Cut the onion, scallions, and garlic finely and add them to the bowl with the feta cheese.
4. Then, add spinach, chopped dill, and chopped mint. Mix everything well.
5. In a separate bowl, beat the egg and add to the spinach mixture. Then, add flour, salt, and pepper and stir until it's well combined.
6. Heat the vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Take a tablespoon of the spinach mixture and form it into a ball shape. Gently place it into the hot oil and fry for 3-4 minutes until golden brown on all sides.
7. Place each spinach ball on paper towels to remove excess oil.

spinach-balls.jpg
 
I think you made a spelling error - should be spanakokeftedes .... I know, my spellcheck has a tough time with these Greek words!

That aside, the recipe it's looks delicious. I bet you could use any green and call it "hortokeftedes" or something like that. I know that in Greece, they tend to interchange spinach with wild greens.
 

Do You Make Avgolemono Thick or Brothy?

I usually prefer avgolemono somewhere in the middle. I don’t like it so thick that it feels almost like a cream soup, but I also don’t want it completely thin and brothy. For me, the best version has enough egg and lemon to give the broth some body while still keeping it light.

A lot probably depends on what kind of avgolemono you’re making, too. In chicken soup, I like it a little more brothy because I want the rice or orzo and chicken to still stand out. With something like lahanodolmades, I don’t mind the avgolemono sauce being thicker because it is coating the food rather than serving as the soup itself.

The lemon level matters just as much as the thickness. I like enough lemon to make it bright and noticeable, but not so much that it overwhelms everything else. I think balance is really the key.

What herbs do you use when making Greek stuffed zucchini?

I've been thinking about making Greek stuffed zucchini (kolokithakia gemista), and I'm curious about which herbs everyone uses in the filling. I've seen quite a few variations, and it seems like the combination of herbs can really influence the overall flavor of the dish.

Some recipes use plenty of fresh dill and parsley, while others include mint or even a little oregano. I've also noticed that some people add green onions for extra flavor. I'm wondering whether certain herbs are considered more traditional, especially when making stuffed zucchini with rice and ground meat.

Do you use a combination of herbs, or do you prefer to keep the seasoning fairly simple? Does your family have a particular recipe that has been passed down through generations?

I'm especially interested in how the herbs complement the avgolemono sauce. What combination do you think gives Greek stuffed zucchini the best flavor?

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?

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?

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?
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