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paharo45

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There is this Greek egg dish with tomato that I really like. I have had it both with fried eggs and scrambled eggs. I love both versions, but don' know how to make the dish and would love to learn. Most recipes I see are for the scrambled eggs version. Does anyone know how to make it with fried eggs?

Also, do people use fresh or canned tomatoes (like diced tomatoes). Sometimes I don't have access to delicious, fresh tomatoes.
 
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Reactions: KarenKariotis
Not sure this is it but what I grew up with is best with fresh tomatoes, I only do this seasonally which makes it all the more special, cut in half and sautéed in olive oil until completely broken down. I pick peels out with tongs and scrape with a fork. Then I add Greek oregano salt and pepper and when the liquid cooks down I create a hole and drop an egg in it trying to make more of a poached egg. Cover till egg is soft cooked and there you have it. Simple, flavorful but takes a little time. My mother was raised in the south so we used to put it over grits which soaked up all the flavors but potatoes work as well.
 
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Reactions: k_tsoukalas
Hi Paharo45,

Strapatsada or aka kagiana, is a wonderful bright dish usually made in the summer with fresh sun ripen tomatoes that are cooked down. Scramble eggs are added to it and is served with a nice piece of crust bread and a big slab of feta. I have never seen it with fried egg, but the thought of it sounds delicious. I will agree with everything Dionisia has said, and I too will try it.
 
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Reactions: k_tsoukalas
Pemi and Dionisia, both of these versions sound fabulous and I will try both of them! I actually do something like this with fried eggs sometimes. I sauté fresh tomatoes and remove the peels, then remove them from the pan and set aside (I usually sauté with some garlic, onion, or shallot). Or, I use jarred, diced tomatoes with juices removed (I strain them and reserve the juice for a soup or something). I start frying the eggs in the pan in olive oil on high heat and once it sets, I drop the heat to low and add the tomatoes. Once the eggs are cooked the way I want them (I like about 1/3 of the yoke to be cooked through) I plate them. I like to garnish with chopped, fresh herbs - usually a combination of oregano and parsley. I eyeball the amounts. Depending on how many eggs I have, I may not use a lot of tomato. It depends on my mood.
 

Do you put potatoes in your briam?

I've noticed that there are quite a few variations of briam, especially when it comes to which vegetables people include. One ingredient I'm particularly curious about is potatoes. Do you always put potatoes in your briam, or do you prefer making it without them?

I usually think of briam as a combination of zucchini, eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and plenty of olive oil. I love how the potatoes absorb all those wonderful flavors as everything slowly roasts together in the oven.

However, I've seen recipes that leave the potatoes out entirely and focus more on the summer vegetables. I imagine that makes the dish a little lighter.

I'm also curious whether there are regional differences in how briam is prepared throughout Greece. Does your family have a particular way of making it? And what vegetables do you consider absolutely essential?

Favorite Greek Cheeses Beyond Feta

Feta gets most of the attention when people talk about Greek cheese, but there are so many other varieties worth trying. I’m curious which Greek cheeses everyone enjoys most beyond feta.

Graviera is one of my favorites because it works so well on a cheese plate, grated over dishes, or just eaten with bread. Kasseri is another one I really like, especially melted. I’ve also been interested in trying more regional cheeses like metsovone, manouri, kefalotyri, and formaela.

Some Greek cheeses seem to be much easier to find outside Greece than others, so I’d also love to know which ones people regularly buy and where they usually find them.

What Greek cheeses do you keep coming back to? Are there certain ones you associate with a particular region, dish, or family tradition? And if someone has mostly eaten feta, which Greek cheese would you recommend they try next?

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?

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.

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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