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redsoxdw_

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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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Graviera (great for pastitsio) if you can find it. The French have a similar cheese called gruyere.
 
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!
 
Yes, graviera is a fabulous cheese, and Gruyère is a fabulous sub if you can’t find graviera!
 

What is your favorite Greek potato dish?

Potatoes show up in so many Greek meals, and I think they are often at their best when they soak up plenty of olive oil, lemon, herbs, and cooking juices.

Greek lemon potatoes are probably the first thing that comes to mind for me. I love when they are roasted until they are soft inside, a little crisp around the edges, and full of lemon and oregano. Potatoes cooked alongside chicken or lamb are also hard to beat because they absorb so much flavor from the pan.

I also enjoy simple boiled potatoes dressed with olive oil, lemon, parsley, and salt, especially with fish or grilled meat.

What Greek potato dish do you make most often? Do you prefer lemon potatoes, potatoes roasted with meat, fried potatoes, or something else? And is there a particular seasoning or family method that makes your version especially good?

What Is the Best Way to Serve Taramosalata?

I absolutely love taramosalata and have it pretty regularly at home, but I’m having some people over soon and was wondering about the best way to serve it when entertaining.

Normally I just eat it with some bread or pita, so I don’t really put much thought into presentation. For guests, though, I’d like to make it part of a nice Greek-style spread with a few other things on the table. I was thinking warm pita triangles, crusty bread, maybe some cucumber and other vegetables for dipping, but I’m curious what everyone else usually serves with it.

Do you drizzle a little olive oil over the top or add any kind of garnish? And are there particular meze that you think pair especially well with taramosalata?

I’d love some ideas for making it look a little more special while still keeping everything traditional and simple.

Do you put potatoes in your briam?

I've noticed that there are quite a few variations of briam, especially when it comes to which vegetables people include. One ingredient I'm particularly curious about is potatoes. Do you always put potatoes in your briam, or do you prefer making it without them?

I usually think of briam as a combination of zucchini, eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and plenty of olive oil. I love how the potatoes absorb all those wonderful flavors as everything slowly roasts together in the oven.

However, I've seen recipes that leave the potatoes out entirely and focus more on the summer vegetables. I imagine that makes the dish a little lighter.

I'm also curious whether there are regional differences in how briam is prepared throughout Greece. Does your family have a particular way of making it? And what vegetables do you consider absolutely essential?

How does your family season dolmades?

I’ve been thinking about how much dolmades can vary from one family to another, especially when it comes to seasoning. Even when the basic ingredients are similar, the flavor can be completely different depending on which herbs and spices are used.

How does your family season dolmades? Do you use mostly dill and parsley, or do you add mint as well? I’ve also seen recipes that include green onions, oregano, or even a little cinnamon, especially when meat is part of the filling.

I’m curious whether you season the rice mixture pretty heavily before rolling the grape leaves or keep it simple and let the lemon and olive oil provide most of the flavor. Does your family add lemon juice directly to the filling, or only during cooking and serving?

I’d especially love to hear about any regional or family traditions. What gives your dolmades their distinctive flavor?

What herbs do you use when making Greek stuffed zucchini?

I've been thinking about making Greek stuffed zucchini (kolokithakia gemista), and I'm curious about which herbs everyone uses in the filling. I've seen quite a few variations, and it seems like the combination of herbs can really influence the overall flavor of the dish.

Some recipes use plenty of fresh dill and parsley, while others include mint or even a little oregano. I've also noticed that some people add green onions for extra flavor. I'm wondering whether certain herbs are considered more traditional, especially when making stuffed zucchini with rice and ground meat.

Do you use a combination of herbs, or do you prefer to keep the seasoning fairly simple? Does your family have a particular recipe that has been passed down through generations?

I'm especially interested in how the herbs complement the avgolemono sauce. What combination do you think gives Greek stuffed zucchini the best flavor?
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