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GreekGirlCooks

Active member
I buy taramasalata a lot - whenever I see it. Each place I buy it from, it tastes different, and some versions are better than others.

So I thought maybe I could learn how to make it myself so that I could adjust the flavors how I want it.

I know in theory it has:

- fish roe
- bread
- olive oil
- lemons
- onion

But I have never tried making it myself yet. Any advice?
 
I buy taramasalata a lot - whenever I see it. Each place I buy it from, it tastes different, and some versions are better than others.

So I thought maybe I could learn how to make it myself so that I could adjust the flavors how I want it.

I know in theory it has:

- fish roe
- bread
- olive oil
- lemons
- onion

But I have never tried making it myself yet. Any advice?
Hi, If you have a Greek market that you can get to, they most likely will have the right kind of fish roe for an authentic taste. They would likely have good premade taramasalata too. In my family, it was dad that would make it. I remember a few things but not enough to be 100% correct. The ingredients you list were the same ingredients dad used and he was probably making it the way his family from Constantinople made it. I remember the bread was stale and dry. Also there was some kind of technique for making it creamy and completely blended. He did it by hand though not with a mixer or blender. I don't know if it really has to be done by hand. A friend of mine whose family was from Cephalonia said they made it with potatoes instead of bread. I also remember my dad making it with fresh ground walnuts instead of bread. I like this one the best, no starches. Oh, I just found a good recipe for taramosalata by Googling.
 
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Hi, If you have a Greek market that you can get to, they most likely will have the right kind of fish roe for an authentic taste. They would likely have good premade taramasalata too. In my family, it was dad that would make it. I remember a few things but not enough to be 100% correct. The ingredients you list were the same ingredients dad used and he was probably making it the way his family from Constantinople made it. I remember the bread was stale and dry. Also there was some kind of technique for making it creamy and completely blended. He did it by hand though not with a mixer or blender. I don't know if it really has to be done by hand. A friend of mine whose family was from Cephalonia said they made it with potatoes instead of bread. I also remember my dad making it with fresh ground walnuts instead of bread. I like this one the best, no starches. Oh, I just found a good recipe for taramosalata by Googling.

I like this advice - a Greek market will definitely have the right kind of roe. I have had some that taste like mayonnaise, but I caution against that. It really doesn't taste like Greece when it is made with mayo! I would use bread or potato. I am intrigued by the walnut version, that sounds great!
 
Thank you! I managed to find the proper Greek-style roe somewhere. I made it with both potato and bread (two separate batches) and I like the bread version the best! But both were pretty good. I think the store bought stuff I've had definitely included mayo.
 

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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?

How does your family season dolmades?

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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 put potatoes in your briam?

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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.

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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?

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