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acamp7

Active member
I tried Manouri cheese for the first time after finding it at a local Greek store.

For those who aren't familiar, manouri is a semisoft, fresh white whey cheese made in Greece from goat or sheep milk. It's got this incredibly creamy texture with a hint of tanginess that pairs beautifully with honey or preserved fruits.

Have any of you tried it? And if so, what are your favorite ways to enjoy it? I've had it crumbled over a Greek salad, and it was delightful, but I'm on the hunt for more suggestions. I tried it in Tiropita, too, and it gave the filling an interesting flavor. I liked it. What else can I do?
 
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Manouri is an amazing and versatile cheese. It is served as a dessert, along with fruit or honey and nuts. It is excellent when baked or breaded and pan-fried, like a saganaki. It perfectly accompanies various lathera recipes like green beans, Spanakorizo, Imam baldi. It is added into pasta bake, pita (pies) and tarts. And let’s not forget our salads. This will surprise you but Manouri is also added in sweets, for instance in a sweet bougatsa.
Try also aged manouri grated on your pastas, you will be delighted!
 
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I didn't realize you could get both fresh and aged Manouri! This is one of my favorite Greek cheeses. I've used instead of feta cheese in typical dishes where I'd normally use feta, like tiro pita and spanakopita, just to give it an interesting change of pace. I do love it in salad and on pasta. I never thought to use it for saganaki! I guess that makes sense, though.

I keep feta on hand, and I tend to pick up some Manouri about once a month or so when I visit the Greek store.
 

Frying Saganaki the Right Way?

I love saganaki. There’s nothing better than that golden, crispy cheese with a squeeze of lemon. I always order it at Greek restaurants, but I’ve never actually tried making it myself at home. I’m finally ready to give it a shot and could really use some tips!

What’s the best type of cheese to use? I’ve heard of kefalograviera and kasseri, but I’m not sure which gives the best result. Also, how do you keep it from melting into a puddle or sticking to the pan?

Do you dredge it in flour or something else? Olive oil or another type of oil for frying? And how do you get that perfect crispy edge without burning it?

Hortopita or Spanakopita without Cheese?

I’m hoping to get some advice from anyone who’s made hortopita or spanakopita without cheese. A family member recently developed a dairy intolerance, and I’d love to be able to make a pie she can enjoy too. Traditionally I use feta or mizithra, so I’m a bit unsure how it will turn out without the cheese—will it still taste good?

Have you ever made a vegan or dairy-free version of these pies? What do you add to make up for the missing richness and saltiness from the cheese? Are there herbs, extra olive oil, or maybe lemon juice that help brighten the flavor?

I’d really appreciate any tips—especially from people who’ve done it successfully. Would love to keep the flavors authentic and satisfying while making it friendly for her diet. Thanks so much in advance!

Good Meze for Outdoor Barbecue?

I’m Greek and love to cook traditional food, especially when the weather’s nice and we can eat outside! I often host outdoor dinner parties with a grill going and a table full of friends and family. I’m looking for ideas for meze that hold up well outdoors while everyone’s mingling and waiting for the main meal to be ready.

I usually do the basics like tzatziki, olives, and pita, but I’d love to add a few more options that can sit out for a bit without wilting or drying out. Ideally, things that don’t need to be piping hot or refrigerated immediately—especially since I like the relaxed, come-and-go vibe during grilling.

What are your go-to Greek starters or finger foods for an outdoor setting?

Greek Meal Prepping Tips?

I love cooking Greek food and do it often, but let’s be honest, some of our favorite dishes take forever to prepare. Between layering, slow simmering, and fresh chopping, it’s not always realistic on a busy weeknight. I’m starting to think about meal prepping Greek-style, but I’m not sure where to begin.

What traditional dishes work well for prepping ahead? I’m hoping for healthy options—think veggies, legumes, lean meats, maybe even Lenten dishes. Can you freeze moussaka or fasolada? Do you pre-roll dolmades and just steam them later? How do you store horta or prep spanakopita in advance without it getting soggy?

I’d love to hear what works for you, like batch cooking ideas, tips for storing or reheating, or any Greek dishes that get betterafter a day or two!

Handling dried gigantes?

I’m a huge fan of gigantes plaki and other dishes that use these giant beans. I am really struggling with the dried ones.

No matter how long I soak or boil them, they never seem to get quite soft enough. I’ve tried overnight soaking, longer cooking times, even baking soda in the soak water. Still hit-or-miss results. Sometimes they split before they soften, or the skins get tough.

I know canned gigantes exist, but I’d love to master the dried kind, especially for homemade plaki where texture really matters.

Any tips? Is there a soaking method or cooking trick that’s worked well for you? I am considering trying to get them soft in a pressure cooker, maybe that will help?
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