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kosta_karapinotis

Active member
I love to use seasonal zucchinis for this recipe! They are usually available in late August :) Add ground beef to a skillet, crumbling with you hand just before placing it in the pan. Stir the meat and the onions together and saute until the meat is cooked all the way through and has been broken up into small pieces. Stir in rice, mint, parsley, salt, and pepper and remove from the heat.

Scoop out the seeds from each of the zucchini halves. Spoon the beef and rice mixture into each of the zucchini halves and lay them back down into the baking dish in a single layer. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place in the center of the oven. Bake for about 30-40 minutes or until the zucchinis are soft and a little bit crunchy on the outside. I like mine well roasted.

Ingredients...
  • 8 large-sized zucchini, washed, trimmed, and sliced lengthwise
  • 1/3 cup Greek olive oil, plus some for brushing
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 cup short grain rice
  • 2 tablespoons chopped, fresh mint
  • 2 tablespoons chopped, fresh parsley
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste
 
I love to use seasonal zucchinis for this recipe! They are usually available in late August :) Add ground beef to a skillet, crumbling with you hand just before placing it in the pan. Stir the meat and the onions together and saute until the meat is cooked all the way through and has been broken up into small pieces. Stir in rice, mint, parsley, salt, and pepper and remove from the heat.

Scoop out the seeds from each of the zucchini halves. Spoon the beef and rice mixture into each of the zucchini halves and lay them back down into the baking dish in a single layer. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place in the center of the oven. Bake for about 30-40 minutes or until the zucchinis are soft and a little bit crunchy on the outside. I like mine well roasted.

Ingredients...
  • 8 large-sized zucchini, washed, trimmed, and sliced lengthwise
  • 1/3 cup Greek olive oil, plus some for brushing
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 cup short grain rice
  • 2 tablespoons chopped, fresh mint
  • 2 tablespoons chopped, fresh parsley
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste
Do you ever add a avgolemono sauce?
 
Do you ever add a avgolemono sauce?
I do sometimes! For me, it depends on if I have any broth left from the cooking process.
 

Can you make your own rusks?

I love Cretan Dakos!
There's something about the combination of the crunchy rusk soaked with the juice of ripe tomatoes, topped with fresh cheese and olive oil, that has me hooked!

However, given that I live in an area where it's challenging to find authentic Cretan rusks, I'm contemplating on whether I can bake my own at home. I'm curious if anyone here has attempted to make rusks suitable for dakos from scratch.

I know I can order then online. I tried this, and they didn't survive the shipping too well.

No Meat Dolmades (Stuffed Grape Leaves) Recipe

It has taken me a long time to get vegetarian dolmades to the point where I enjoy them. Here is my recipe. It uses a lot of oil, so strict fasters shouldn't eat them. But most people aren't super strict so I would even say these are good for lent!

Ingredients:​

  • 1 jar of grape leaves (about 60-70 leaves)
  • 1 cup short-grain rice
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh dill
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
  • Juice of 2 lemons
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Water

Instructions:​

  1. Prepare the Grape Leaves:
    • If using grape leaves preserved in brine, rinse them well under cold water to remove excess salt. If using fresh grape leaves, blanch them in boiling water for about 1 minute, then drain and rinse with cold water. Trim off any stems.
  2. Prepare the Filling:
    • In a large bowl, combine the rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped dill, chopped mint, chopped parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
  3. Fill and Roll the Grape Leaves:
    • Place a grape leaf flat on a clean work surface, shiny side down, with the stem end facing you. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the rice filling onto the center of the leaf, near the stem end.
    • Fold the bottom of the leaf over the filling, then fold in the sides, and roll tightly into a small cylinder.
    • Repeat with the remaining grape leaves and filling, arranging the rolled dolmades seam-side down in a large pot or deep skillet, packing them snugly together.
  4. Cook the Dolmades:
    • Once all the dolmades are rolled and packed in the pot, drizzle with a little olive oil and lemon juice.
    • Pour enough water into the pot to just cover the dolmades.
    • Place a heatproof plate or lid directly on top of the dolmades to keep them submerged during cooking.
    • Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer gently for about 45-60 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the grape leaves are tender.

How to learn about different regional cuisines in Greece?

I have learned so much about Greek cuisine by being on this forum! I know that there are standard recipes that everyone seems to cook.

For example, you can get souvlaki all over. Everyone seems to serve a village salad with slight variations. Most regions seem to make moussaka. There are tons of others.

I have also noticed that each region has their own specialties. How do you go about learning about them?

greek-salad.jpg

Greek grilling advice and tips?

It's getting warm out and time to break out the grill! I am interested in how do Greek people in Greece grill? I've had so many delicious grilled foods in Greece, I am having a hard time getting the same flavors here in the United States.

I've tried my hand at a few recipes, aiming to capture that authentic taste, but I feel like there's a deeper level of technique and tradition that I'm just not hitting. From choosing the right ingredients to mastering the grill itself, I know there’s a wealth of subtleties that can turn a good dish into a great one.

Do they use certain marinades or techniques? I've watched people in Greece grill - they don't even really follow recipes.

Making traditional loukaniko question

I’m on a culinary quest to master the art of making Loukaniko, the traditional Greek sausage that tantalizes taste buds with its savory blend of spices and herbs. I understand that each region and even each family might have their own special recipe passed down through generations.

Which leads me to my ask - could anyone who’s familiar with Greek cuisine share insights about the most common seasonings used in Loukaniko? I'm especially interested in any mix of spices that gives it that characteristic flavor profile.

I’ve done some preliminary research, but I’m looking for that firsthand knowledge. What's the blend that makes your Loukaniko stand out? Are there any particular secrets to perfect the authentic taste?
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