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These are the best Greek summer dishes!

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mj_toronto8

mj_toronto8

Active member
Greek food is the absolute best in the summer! These are my top recommendations for the summertime and a good guide for what to order in Greece.

1. Fried calamari
2. Marinated octopus
3. Gyro
4. French fries
5. Greens
6. Village salad
7. Watermelon and ice cream for dessert
 
All of these are great choices for anytime, not just in Greece! My favorite on this list is marinated octopus - it is hard to find good octopus outside of Greece.
 
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Moussaka or Pastitsio without Bechemel?

I’ve been wanting to make Moussaka and Pastitsio more often, but honestly the béchamel is what stops me most of the time. It’s not that I don’t like it—I do—but it adds extra steps and feels a bit heavy for everyday cooking.

I’m curious if anyone here skips it or swaps it out for something simpler? I’ve wondered about just using a layer of cheese on top, or maybe a lighter yogurt-based mixture, but I’m not sure how that affects the overall texture.

Do these dishes still feel “right” without the béchamel, or does it completely change them? I’m not trying to be traditional every time—just looking for a version that’s easier to make more regularly.

Would love to hear what others have tried and what actually works!

Regional Variations of Dolmades?

I’ve noticed something interesting with dolmades and wanted to see what others think.

I’ve had them in different parts of Greece, and they’re never exactly the same. Sometimes they’re more lemony, sometimes heavier on herbs, and other times the texture or filling feels completely different.

It made me wonder, are these differences mostly regional, or is it more about what ingredients are available at the time? I’ve seen versions with just rice, others with meat, and even small variations in how tightly they’re rolled or cooked.

Is there a “standard” version across Greece, or is variation part of the tradition? I’m really curious how people here think about it, especially if you’ve had them in multiple regions or grew up eating them at home.

Tips for a Great Tzatziki?

I love making tzatziki at home, but for some reason it never comes out the same twice. I use the exact same recipe every time, but sometimes it’s perfect—thick, creamy, and balanced—and other times it turns out way too thin or watery. It’s driving me a little crazy because I can’t figure out what I’m doing differently.

I usually use Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar or lemon juice. I think I’m draining the cucumber well, but maybe that’s where I’m going wrong? Or could it be the type of yogurt?

Does anyone have tips for getting consistent results? Do you salt and drain the cucumber first? Strain the yogurt more? I’d love to hear what actually makes the difference for you.

Best way to cook gigantes beans?

I recently picked up a bag of dried gigantes beans from Greece, and I want to do them justice. I’ve had gigantes plaki at tavernas before and loved how soft and creamy the beans were, with that rich tomato sauce and olive oil.
Now that I have the real thing at home, I’m curious, what’s the best way to cook them? Do you soak overnight or use a quicker method? And when it comes to flavor, do you go traditional with tomato, onion, and herbs, or do you keep it simpler?

I’ve seen some recipes that bake them, others that simmer them on the stove, and even a few that finish them in the oven after cooking. Not sure which method gives the best texture and flavor. How do you get them perfect?

Sharing Greek Food with Friends - Recommendations?

I’m having a few friends over for dinner soon, and none of them are Greek, so I thought it would be fun to make a full Greek-style meal for them. I grew up with Greek food, so a lot of dishes feel “normal” to me, but now I’m realizing I’m not sure what works best for people who didn’t grow up eating it.

I definitely want to include a few traditional dishes, but I also don’t want to overwhelm everyone with too many things at once. I was thinking maybe spanakopita, souvlaki, Greek salad, rice, and some kind of dessert like baklava or galaktoboureko. I’m also wondering if there are certain dishes that tend to be crowd favorites with people who are newer to Greek food.

What meals or combinations have worked well for you when introducing Greek food to non-Greek friends? Any suggestions for appetizers, sides, or desserts would be appreciated too.
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