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seleanor

Active member
Frozen and store bought spanakopita has been a staple in my house especially recently during covid when I have been stressed and not in the mood to cook. The best brands you can find are Greek brands, which are 7 Days, Athens and Krinos.

Other brands that are not authentic but probably easier to find are spanakopita at Whole Foods or Trader Joes. The ingredients are high quality and the taste is there! I just prefer supporting Greek businesses so whenever I can, I will buy from a Greek grocery store.

Please add your favorite brands in the comments!
 
I try to not buy frozen spanakopita, but when in a pinch, I have had the Wegmans brand spanakopita. Not really authentic, but not all that bad for frozen spanakopita!


spanakopota-recipe-720x480 (1).jpeg
 
Ah, to have an authentic Greek grocery store for in person shopping(post Covid)!
In the Metro Detroit area we have one but the things he sells are the same things you could get in the’60’s, no new products or ideas.
Such a shame
 
Ah, to have an authentic Greek grocery store for in person shopping(post Covid)!
In the Metro Detroit area we have one but the things he sells are the same things you could get in the’60’s, no new products or ideas.
Such a shame
That is a shame, I wonder if the new generation will take over the store and hopefully start making some updates.
 
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Frozen and store bought spanakopita has been a staple in my house especially recently during covid when I have been stressed and not in the mood to cook. The best brands you can find are Greek brands, which are 7 Days, Athens and Krinos.

Other brands that are not authentic but probably easier to find are spanakopita at Whole Foods or Trader Joes. The ingredients are high quality and the taste is there! I just prefer supporting Greek businesses so whenever I can, I will buy from a Greek grocery store.

Please add your favorite brands in the comments!
I totally agree with you. Lately it has been kind of hard to find store-bought phyllo, as well, and I don't always have the chance to make my own. When life gets busy, I can still throw together a small pita in a relatively short amount of time, but with no pre-made phyllo, the project isn't quick anymore. I can find versions spanakopita that have been pre-made in most stores (Trader Joe's and Whole Foods are both decent). A local Greek grocery store makes their own and it tastes a bit better, but it's not always convenient for me to get to that store. I've also tried Krinos Brand and Taste of Inspirations (Hannaford) and they are decent.
 

Getting to Know Northern Greek Foods

I’m likely visiting parts of Northern Greece next year and realized how little I know about the food there compared to the islands. Most of my Greek food experiences have been island-based, lots of seafood, grilled dishes, simple vegetables, olive oil-forward meals, which I love.

But I keep hearing that Northern Greek cuisine is quite different: heartier, more meat-based, colder-weather food, stronger flavors, maybe more Balkan or Asia Minor influence. I’m especially curious about what people actually eat day to day, not just the famous dishes.

If you’re from Northern Greece or have spent time there, what foods should I expect to see regularly? Are there specific stews, breads, cheeses, or vegetable dishes that feel distinctly northern? And how different does it feel from island cooking once you’re there? I’d love to understand the regional food culture a bit before I go.

Greek Dishes Using Winter Vegetables?

As the seasons change, I’m curious how winter vegetables show up in everyday Greek cooking. Not in a nostalgic or celebratory way, but in the practical meals that were made simply because those ingredients were available and affordable.

I’m thinking of vegetables like cabbage, leeks, potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, celery, and various greens — the kinds of things that quietly formed the base of many winter dishes. Often these meals didn’t feel special at the time, but they were reliable, filling, and familiar.

I’d love to hear which winter vegetable dishes stayed in regular rotation in your household. Were they mostly soups, oven dishes, lemon-based stews, or simple stovetop meals? And if you’re cooking outside Greece, did access to ingredients change which winter dishes you continued to make?

Greek Olive Oil You Use Every Day?

I’m Greek and cook at home regularly, and olive oil has always been such a given in my kitchen that I never really questioned it, until recently. While in Greece, I went to an olive oil tasting, and it completely changed how I think about what I use every day.

Tasting different oils side by side, from different regions, harvest times, and levels of intensity — made me realize how much variation there really is. Some were peppery and bold, others softer and almost sweet, and it made me wonder how intentional people actually are about their “daily” olive oil versus one they save for finishing or special dishes.

Now I’m a bit torn. Do most Greeks stick to one trusted oil for everything? Do you keep different oils for cooking versus salads? Do you buy from a specific region, family producer, or just what’s available locally?

What traditional Greek foods do you still cook at home?

Lately I’ve been realizing how much my everyday cooking has drifted away from traditional Greek food. I still love it just as much, but instead of making it at home, I often end up going out to Greek restaurants for the dishes I really crave.

There are a few things I still make regularly, though. Spanakopita is one that never fully left my kitchen, and there are a handful of simple, familiar flavors I return to when I want something comforting. But many of the dishes I grew up loving — the ones that feel more involved or time-consuming — have slowly turned into “restaurant foods” for me instead of home foods.

It made me curious about how this plays out for other people. Which traditional Greek dishes do you still cook at home on a regular basis? Are there foods you love but mostly eat out now instead? And what determines whether something stays part of your home cooking versus becoming a special treat?

Simple Greek Dishes that You Love?

I’ve been thinking about how many Greek dishes don’t need much to be satisfying. No elaborate techniques, no long ingredient lists, just a few good elements done well.

That made me curious about other people’s experiences. What simple Greek dishes do you genuinely love and return to over and over again?

I’m not thinking about big holiday spreads or restaurant-style plates, but the everyday foods: things like beans cooked slowly in tomato sauce, vegetables braised in olive oil, basic soups, or straightforward meat-and-potato meals. The kind of dishes you could eat any day of the week and never get tired of.

Are there specific meals you grew up with, or ones you’ve adopted later in life because they just work? Do you make them at home, or are they tied to certain places or people?

I’d love to hear which simple Greek dishes feel the most comforting or reliable to you.
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