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axariotisxy

Active member
I’ve noticed that when people talk about Greek food, breakfast doesn’t come up as much as lunch or dinner. But from my own experience in Greece, mornings have always had their own rhythm, even if the food itself is pretty simple.

For me, it’s usually coffee first, and then something small like bread, toast, or a quick stop at the bakery for something like koulouri. It never feels like a heavy or overly structured meal, more just enough to start the day.

I’m curious how this compares for others. When you’re in Greece, or when you were growing up in a Greek household, what did breakfast actually look like on a typical day?
 
That’s been my experience too. Greek breakfast isn’t really a “meal” in the way people think of it elsewhere, it’s more of a slow start built around coffee. In Greece, I’ve almost always had coffee first (usually a Greek coffee or freddo), and then something simple on the side, koulouri, a piece of bread with butter and jam, or maybe a spanakopita if I stopped at a bakery.

Growing up in a Greek household, it was similar. Breakfast wasn’t a big production. It might be toasted bread, coffee, tea. We were all basically just trying to get through our morning. I'd be so hungry come lunch time though. Now as I am older I try to eat more, but I still kind of don't feel like it.
 

Most popular dishes of Greece?

I was talking to someone yesterday and mentioned that fasolada is considered one of the “national dishes of Greece”. I’m pretty sure I’ve heard that somewhere before. But it got me thinking, what actually are the most popular dishes in Greece?

I feel like everyone immediately thinks of things like moussaka or souvlaki, and maybe even horiatiki salad, but I’m not sure if those are the most commonly eaten foods in everyday life or just the most well-known internationally.

Are there certain dishes that Greeks themselves would consider staples or “must-haves”? And does it vary a lot by region? What dishes come to mind when you think of what is popular in Greece?

How much garlic is too much in tzatziki?

When I grill Greek-style, I usually serve everything with tzatziki on the side, souvlaki, chicken, even just some bread and vegetables. For me, it’s not really optional. It kind of ties the whole plate together.

That said, I’ve noticed everyone seems to have a different tolerance for garlic. Some tzatziki is nice and balanced, while other times it’s so strong it completely takes over everything else on the plate.

I tend to like a good amount of garlic, but I’ve definitely had versions where it felt like a bit much, especially if it’s sitting overnight and the flavor gets stronger.

Curious where everyone else lands on this. Do you go heavy on the garlic, or do you keep it more subtle? And do you adjust depending on what you’re serving it with?

Meat to Use for Souvlaki?

I’ve been trying to make souvlaki at home more often, and I keep going back and forth on what meat to use. I’ve had great pork souvlaki that felt like what you’d get in Greece, but I’ve also had chicken versions that were really solid and easy to cook. Lamb seems like it should work well too, but I don’t see it used as often for souvlaki specifically. And then there’s beef, which I’ve seen here and there but never really know if it’s the right choice.

Is there a “best” meat for souvlaki, or is it more about how it’s prepared and seasoned? Do certain meats hold up better on the grill or stay juicier?

Making Taramasalata at Home?

I’ve been trying to make taramasalata at home, but I just can’t seem to get it quite right. I love ordering it when I’m out—it’s smooth, balanced, and has that distinct flavor without being too heavy.

Mine, on the other hand, either turns out too thick, too salty, or a bit off in texture. I’ve tried different approaches—using bread vs. potatoes, adjusting the lemon, even changing the type of tarama but I’m still not there yet.

For those of you who make it regularly, what makes the biggest difference? Is it the ratio of ingredients, the type of roe, or the mixing method? Also, any tips on getting that lighter, smoother consistency?

Do you leave skin on for zucchini when making briam?

I’ve been making briam more often lately, and I keep going back and forth on one small detail, whether to leave the skin on the zucchini or peel it.

I’ve tried it both ways. When I leave the skin on, it holds its shape better and adds a bit of texture, which I like. But sometimes it can feel a little tougher, especially if the zucchini is on the larger side. When I peel it, the dish comes out softer and more uniform, but I feel like it loses a bit of that rustic feel briam is known for.

I’m curious what others prefer. Do you always leave the skin on, or do you peel it depending on the zucchini?
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