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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.
 

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?

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?

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?

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 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?
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