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dimi_pat

Active member
I love gyros but I noticed something - sometimes the version I get in Greece is much different than where it is here at home. I don't know if that is intentional or not...

I tend to love the gyros that have the shaved meat from the spit thing that you see in gyro shops in Greece, and I do enjoy it with Greek fries inside (which I do get in Greece a lot - but when at the gyro shop they always give me a choice).

Anyway, I am wondering... what is the actual, traditional way to make a gyro?
 
Gyros* is the singular form for the food, and gyroi (pronounced gyree) is the plural.. What you have in the USA (if you're from the USA) is americanized and a fusion of schwarma. The brown gyros meat that we have here is not served on a gyros in Greece, and we don't serve fries in the gyros.

I'm Athens you get chicken or pork. If you get pork then it comes with tzatziki. If you get chicken then it comes with "sauce". Up north (thessaloniki) they offer the same but they also have another option available. Fries are also always served in the gyros
 
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Gyros* is the singular form for the food, and gyroi (pronounced gyree) is the plural.. What you have in the USA (if you're from the USA) is americanized and a fusion of schwarma. The brown gyros meat that we have here is not served on a gyros in Greece, and we don't serve fries in the gyros.

I'm Athens you get chicken or pork. If you get pork then it comes with tzatziki. If you get chicken then it comes with "sauce". Up north (thessaloniki) they offer the same but they also have another option available. Fries are also always served in the gyros
I had fries in my gyros consistently on Crete - they asked - and all the Greeks - half of them got the fries in the gyro and half didn't. I loved the gyros in Athens, too, and I love it with the chicken. I don't recall seeing the choice of fries in the gyros in Athens or other places in Greece besides Crete. Thanks for sharing this info!
 

Do you make Greek lentil soup with vinegar

I’ve always made fakes with a splash of vinegar, either stirred into the pot near the end or added individually at the table. To me, that little bit of acidity is part of what makes the soup taste right, especially with the earthy lentils, olive oil, onion, garlic, and bay leaf.

But I have a Greek friend who makes hers very differently. She doesn’t use vinegar at all and instead adds quite a lot of tomato product, so her version is much redder and more tomato-forward than mine.

Now I’m curious about what is considered more traditional in Greek cooking. Is vinegar usually a standard part of fakes, or is it more of a regional or family preference? Are tomato-heavy versions just as traditional?

How do you make yours, and what did your family serve growing up?

Do You Make Avgolemono Thick or Brothy?

I usually prefer avgolemono somewhere in the middle. I don’t like it so thick that it feels almost like a cream soup, but I also don’t want it completely thin and brothy. For me, the best version has enough egg and lemon to give the broth some body while still keeping it light.

A lot probably depends on what kind of avgolemono you’re making, too. In chicken soup, I like it a little more brothy because I want the rice or orzo and chicken to still stand out. With something like lahanodolmades, I don’t mind the avgolemono sauce being thicker because it is coating the food rather than serving as the soup itself.

The lemon level matters just as much as the thickness. I like enough lemon to make it bright and noticeable, but not so much that it overwhelms everything else. I think balance is really the key.

What is the secret to making really good Greek lemon potatoes?

I've been making Greek lemon potatoes for years, and it's one of those dishes I make completely by feel. I don't measure anything, and I never really thought about how I make them because it's all second nature to me.

Recently, I tried teaching someone how to make them. Everything seemed straightforward while we were cooking together, but when they went home and tried making them on their own, all kinds of things went wrong! The potatoes weren't cooking evenly, the texture wasn't quite right, and the lemon flavor didn't come through the way it should.

It made me realize how much I rely on instinct when cooking traditional Greek food. I rarely write down recipes, so explaining every little detail is harder than I expected!

For those who make Greek lemon potatoes regularly, what tips would you give someone who's just learning?

Do you make your pastitsio with a thick or thin layer of krema?

I've always preferred my pastitsio with a nice, thick layer of béchamel on top. To me, that's one of the best parts of the dish! I love when the krema is rich, creamy, and thick enough to hold its shape when you cut into the pastitsio.

The problem is that I've been having trouble getting my krema just right. Sometimes it comes out too thin, and other times the texture isn't quite as smooth as I'd like. I've tried adjusting the amount of flour and milk, but I still haven't found the perfect balance.

I'm curious how everyone else makes theirs. Do you prefer a thick layer of béchamel or just enough to cover the pasta? Does your family add eggs or cheese to the mixture?

I'd especially love to hear any tips for making a thick, smooth krema that sets beautifully when baked!

Do You Put Cinnamon in Your Keftedes?

I’m curious how everyone here makes keftedes, especially when it comes to cinnamon. I know some Greek families add a little cinnamon to the meat mixture, while others would never think of putting it in.

In my experience, even a small amount can change the flavor quite a bit. It gives the keftedes a warmer, slightly sweeter spice in the background, but I can also see how it might not be for everyone. I’ve had versions that lean more heavily on oregano, mint, parsley, garlic, and onion instead.

Do you put cinnamon in your keftedes? If you do, how much do you usually use, and was that something your family always did? I’d also be curious to know if it varies depending on what part of Greece your family comes from.

Would love to hear how everyone seasons theirs and what you consider essential for really good keftedes.
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