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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.
 

Cumin in Greek Cooking?

When I was in Greece, I bumped into a "spanakopita" in like a turnover style dough. It didn't have cheese and was spiced with cumin. I hadn't realized people use Cumin in Greece until I tasted it in this dish. I was kind of confused.

Do people actually use cumin in Greek cooking? None of the old recipes I have mention it. Could it be a more modern influence?

Creative ideas for Easter lamb leftovers?

We cooked too much Easter lamb than we needed and have a ton leftover. I am sure I am not the only one! I am brainstorming ways to use the leftovers. Do you guys have anything to add?

1. Gyros with lamb (Tzatziki and all the trimmings!)
2. Lamb sandwiches
3. Stir fries
4. Lamb in rice and tomato sauce
5. Wraps
6. Omelets and scrambles (think steak and eggs, but with Greek flavors and of course lamb instead of steak)

grilled-lamb-chops.jpg

Greek Warm Weather Eating

With the warm weather approaching, I've been eager to explore more light and refreshing dishes. I'm particularly interested in Greek cuisine, which I know has a lot of great options perfect for sunny days.

Could anyone share their favorite Greek dishes to enjoy when the weather is warm? I'm looking for suggestions that are both delicious and easy to prepare. Any recipes or tips on where to find authentic ingredients would be greatly appreciated too!

Greek Marinated Olives Recipe

I love to serve marinated Greek olives when I have people over. It's easy to do, and I change things each time. The amounts are for a big serving enough for company. I halve the recipe otherwise.
  • 2 cups mixed Greek olives (such as Kalamata, green, or black)
  • 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Lemon zest (optional)
  • Fresh herbs for garnish (such as parsley or basil)
Instructions:
  1. Prepare the olives: Rinse the olives under cold water to remove excess brine. If the olives are very salty, you can soak them in cold water for about 30 minutes, then drain.
  2. Combine ingredients: In a bowl, combine the olives, sliced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and red pepper flakes if using. Gently toss to coat the olives evenly with the marinade.
  3. Marinate: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the olives and marinade to a sealable container. Let the olives marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld together.
  4. Serve: Before serving, let the olives come to room temperature to allow the flavors to fully develop. Optionally, garnish with lemon zest and fresh herbs for extra freshness and aroma.

List of Different Greek Cooking Techniques

I hope you're all doing well! I've recently developed a deep appreciation for Greek cuisine and I'm eager to expand my cooking skills in this area. However, I'm realizing that I might be missing out on some traditional Greek cooking techniques that are essential for authentic dishes.

Could anyone kindly provide me with a list of cooking techniques commonly used in Greek cuisine? Whether it's grilling, baking, braising, or something more specific to Greek cooking, I'm eager to learn! Any insights, tips, or favorite methods would be greatly appreciated. Looking forward to your responses!

Here's what I can think of so far:

  • Frying - usually in olive oil, right? Things like Greek fries and kourabedies come to mind is being fried.
  • Grilling - souvlaki, chicken, etc
  • Sandwiches - gyros, making "toast" that you see on menus in Greece
  • Braising - like braised lamb?
  • On the spot - Lamb, goat
  • Baking - desserts and savory dishes
What have I missed?
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