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GreekGirlCooks

Active member
I’ve been experimenting with Greek Christmas baking this year, and I keep coming back to masticha. I love the aroma, but I’m still figuring out the best ways to use it without overpowering the other flavors.

For those of you who bake with masticha regularly, I’d love some guidance. How much do you typically use in cookies like melomakarona or kourabiedes? Do you grind it with sugar, add it to the syrup, or incorporate it directly into the dough? I’m also curious about which ingredients pair well with it. Does it play nicely with orange zest, cloves, or vanilla, or is it better as the star flavor?
 

Good Meze for Warm Days?

With warmer weather coming in, I’ve been gravitating toward lighter meals and was thinking about putting together a simple meze spread for hot days.

I’d love some ideas from others on what works well when you want something fresh, not too heavy, but still satisfying. I’m thinking along the lines of dips, vegetables, maybe some seafood, but I don’t want to overdo it or end up with dishes that feel too rich in the heat.

So far, I usually go with tzatziki, some olives, and bread, but I feel like I could expand that a bit.

What are your go-to meze for warm weather? Are there specific combinations that feel especially balanced or refreshing? And do you tend to keep it very simple, or mix in a few more substantial dishes as well?

Any good store-bought tzatziki brands?

Alright, I’m gonna admit something as a guy who grills a lot. I don’t always feel like making tzatziki from scratch, especially if I’ve already got meat going, sides going, everything. Sometimes I just want to grab something decent and keep it moving.

So I’m curious, are there actually any good store-bought tzatziki brands out there?

I’ve tried a few and some are way too thin or just taste off, like they’re missing that real garlic and yogurt balance. I’ve heard brands like Boar’s Head and Cedar’s are supposed to be better, but I haven’t really found one that tastes as good as homemade.

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?

Cinnamon in Greek Meat Dishes - Yes or No?

I recently made a Greek-style meat sauce for pasta, the kind with tomato, warm spices, and a hint of cinnamon. It’s a flavor I’ve always associated with home, so I didn’t think twice about it. One person in my family, though, really didn’t like it at all.

What surprised me is that the same person loves pastitsio when I make it, and I season that with cinnamon too. Somehow it works there, but not in a simple meat sauce?

It made me realize how divided people can be on this. For me, cinnamon in savory dishes adds depth and that unmistakable Greek flavor. But I know for others it can feel out of place, almost like it belongs only in desserts.

So I’m curious where everyone stands, cinnamon in Greek meat dishes: yes or no?

Best Grill for Souvlaki?

I was reading something earlier and somehow ended up in a completely unrelated debate about grilling souvlaki, which got me thinking.

We started talking about what actually makes it taste better. One person was saying gas grills are just as good and much easier to control. I can understand that, but I’ve always leaned toward charcoal because it feels like you get more flavor from it. Then someone else chimed in and said charcoal is the way to go, but only if you’re using wood-based or natural briquettes.

Now I’m curious what people here think, especially those who make souvlaki often.

Do you notice a real difference between gas and charcoal? And if you use charcoal, does the type actually matter to you?
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