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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 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?

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 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?

Do You Put Cinnamon in Your Keftedes?

I’m curious how everyone here makes keftedes, especially when it comes to cinnamon. I know some Greek families add a little cinnamon to the meat mixture, while others would never think of putting it in.

In my experience, even a small amount can change the flavor quite a bit. It gives the keftedes a warmer, slightly sweeter spice in the background, but I can also see how it might not be for everyone. I’ve had versions that lean more heavily on oregano, mint, parsley, garlic, and onion instead.

Do you put cinnamon in your keftedes? If you do, how much do you usually use, and was that something your family always did? I’d also be curious to know if it varies depending on what part of Greece your family comes from.

Would love to hear how everyone seasons theirs and what you consider essential for really good keftedes.
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