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redsoxdw_

Active member
It's often challenging to find all the cheeses I want outside of Greece. I love Greek cheese, and my love for it extends well past feta cheese, though a great feta is one of my favorites. I thought I would make a list of my favorite Greek cheeses that I love to use in cooking (and eat by themselves) that I can more easily find outside of Greece.

1. Feta Cheese: Let's start with the most well-known Greek cheese - Feta. It is one of the most versatile cheeses, and also one of the easiest to find outside of Greece. Feta crumbles effortlessly and has a tangy, salty flavor that pairs excellently with salads, sandwiches, and pasta dishes. Use Feta in your cooking to add an extra layer of texture and flavor.

2. Kefalotyri Cheese: Kefalotyri is a hard cheese made from sheep's milk. It has a nutty and salty taste that resembles Pecorino Romano. Kefalotyri is commonly used in Greek dishes like Saganaki, where it is fried and served with a squeeze of lemon. Use it as a substitute for Parmesan or Pecorino in your Italian-inspired dishes.

3. Halloumi Cheese: Another popular Greek cheese is Halloumi, a semi-hard cheese made from sheep's milk. It has a unique texture that is both firm and chewy. Halloumi is the perfect cheese for grilling as it holds up well under heat without melting. Use it in your next summer BBQ as a vegetarian option or add it to sandwiches and salads for extra flavor. It's technically a Cyprus cheese, but I like it and consider it "Greek" enough.

4. Kasseri Cheese: Kasseri is a soft, yellow cheese that is made from sheep's milk. It has a buttery and slightly tangy taste that pairs well with meats and vegetables. Kasseri is used in Greek cuisine to make a delicious roasted cheese dish called Saganaki me Loukaniko. Try grilling it or melting it for a tasty twist on your favorite melting cheeses like mozzarella or cheddar.

5. Mizithra Cheese: Last but not least, Mizithra is a creamy, fresh cheese that is made from sheep's or goat's milk. It has a mild, slightly sour taste that is similar to ricotta. Mizithra can be used both in sweet and savory dishes and makes an excellent addition to salads and pastries.
 

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ellinasgolfer0320

Well-known member
Graviera (great for pastitsio) if you can find it. The French have a similar cheese called gruyere.
 

k_tsoukalas

Moderator
Graviera (great for pastitsio) if you can find it. The French have a similar cheese called gruyere.
This is one of my favorite cheeses! I am lucky to have a Greek market near me - but I know that not everyone has this luxury. I agree that this one should be added to the list!
 

PemiKanavos

Administrator
Staff member
Yes, graviera is a fabulous cheese, and Gruyère is a fabulous sub if you can’t find graviera!
 

Street corn like in Greece?

One of the things I like to eat on the street in Greece is the street corn. I have been trying to replicate making it at home because I grill all the time.

I can find corn year round, but I admit that it tastes so much better when the corn is in season.

Anyway, when I first started doing this, I didn't boil it first! I am pretty sure they boil the corn first in Greece. Is this true? It's starting to taste a little closer, but I have a few missing pieces.

How do they season it? I favor butter with corn, but when I use it, I admit it doesn't taste "right". Has anyone tried to make the corn at hime and can offer me some advice?

greek-street-corn.jpg

Exploring the Hotter Side of Greek Spices

I know that traditionally, Greek food doesn't use a lot of spices. But, when I was in Greece, I saw that they are more adventurous than we may have realized. Spices from other cultures have made their way into the cuisine, and chefs experiment. I thought I would make a lost of some of the spices that could possibly be used in Greek cooking.

Paprika

Paprika is a bright red spice made from dried and ground peppers. It's a common ingredient in Greek cuisine, and is used to add smoky, slightly sweet flavor and deep red color to dishes. Paprika can also vary in heat intensity, depending on the type of pepper used, ranging from mild to hot. In Greek cooking, sweet paprika is often used to add flavor to stews, soups, and roasted meats, while hot paprika can be added to dips and sauces for an extra kick of heat.

Cumin

Cumin is a spice with a warm, earthy flavor and a slightly bitter undertone. It's a popular ingredient in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking, and is often used in Greek dishes like moussaka, stuffed peppers, and lentil soup. Cumin has a moderate level of spiciness, and can give dishes a subtle kick of heat while also adding depth of flavor.

Red Pepper Flakes

Red pepper flakes, also known as crushed red pepper, are made from dried, crushed chili peppers. They're commonly used in Greek cuisine to add heat to dishes like pizza, pasta, and grilled meats. Red pepper flakes pack a substantial amount of heat, measuring in at around 30,000 to 50,000 SHU. However, their spicy kick is often balanced by the sweet, fruity flavor of the peppers used.

Harissa

Harissa is a fiery Tunisian hot sauce that's popular throughout North Africa and the Middle East. In Greek cuisine, it's often used as a marinade for grilled meats or fish, or as a dip for bread or vegetables. Made from a blend of chili peppers, garlic, caraway seeds, and other spices, harissa can range from mildly spicy to extremely hot, depending on the brand and recipe. To be honest I didn't really see this much, but when I researched online I found that it is available in Greece.

braised lamb shank was rubbery

All the braised lamb shank I have ever eaten has fallen off the bone - and that is why it is so delicious!

So, I tried to make it thinking it would be foolproof.

Something went wrong - it was tough and rubbery. I am wondering if it is something I did, or if maybe the lamb was a bit tougher than I would have liked.

I asked around and one thing someone asked me is if I cooked it enough. I didn't know how to answer that since I followed the directions, and I got the recipe from a family member whose lamb shank I always enjoyed. What do you think?

Some things to know:

- I am not sure I initially seared the meat long enough
- I held back on the salt in the recipe
- I was forced into using a larger shank than the recipe called for because I couldn't find smaller ones

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Are melamakarona and finikia the same thing?

I had thought I never made melamakarona but then when I got the recipe from a friend, it looks exactly like my finikia recipe.

Are they basically the same thing with a different name?

Here is my Finikia recipe and aside from some minor differences, it looks the same as my friend's Melamakarona recipe.

- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup brandy or cognac
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups finely chopped walnuts
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1 cup honey

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and cloves. Mix until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
2. Add the vegetable oil, orange juice, brandy, and vanilla extract to the bowl. Use a hand mixer or a whisk to combine the ingredients until a thick dough forms.
3. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Form the dough into small balls (around 1-2 inches in diameter) and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake the cookies for 15-20 minutes, or until they turn golden brown.
6. While the cookies are baking, prepare the honey syrup. In a saucepan, heat the honey over medium heat until it starts to boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the chopped walnuts.
8. Dip the baked cookies in the honey syrup while they're still warm, making sure to coat them evenly. Place the coated cookies on a wire rack to cool.
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