Greek Food, Cooking and Recipe Community

What are some traditional winter Greek dishes?

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GreekGirlCooks

GreekGirlCooks

Active member
In the United States, food is readily available year round because the produce often comes from all over.

Avgolemono Soup
Avgolemono soup is a creamy and comforting dish that’s perfect for a cold day. It’s made with chicken broth, rice, and a mix of eggs and lemon juice, which creates a creamy texture. It's my favorite year round but I love it in the winter!

Moussaka
Moussaka is one of the most famous Greek dishes, and for good reason. It’s a layered casserole made with eggplant, ground beef or lamb, tomato sauce, and béchamel sauce. I tend to make this on special occasions and because it needs the oven, it's more like a winter thing for me.

Fasolada
Fasolada is a simple and hearty soup made with white beans, vegetables, and herbs. It’s a staple in Greek households during the winter months, and it’s often served as a main dish. I make this a lot in the winter.

Kleftiko
Kleftiko is a delicious and tender meat dish that’s slow-cooked in parchment paper. It’s usually made with lamb, but can also be made with beef or pork. I have a family member who makes this at Christmas and I look forward to it.

What winter dishes do you like?
 
GreekGirlCooks said:
In the United States, food is readily available year round because the produce often comes from all over.

Avgolemono Soup
Avgolemono soup is a creamy and comforting dish that’s perfect for a cold day. It’s made with chicken broth, rice, and a mix of eggs and lemon juice, which creates a creamy texture. It's my favorite year round but I love it in the winter!

Moussaka
Moussaka is one of the most famous Greek dishes, and for good reason. It’s a layered casserole made with eggplant, ground beef or lamb, tomato sauce, and béchamel sauce. I tend to make this on special occasions and because it needs the oven, it's more like a winter thing for me.

Fasolada
Fasolada is a simple and hearty soup made with white beans, vegetables, and herbs. It’s a staple in Greek households during the winter months, and it’s often served as a main dish. I make this a lot in the winter.

Kleftiko
Kleftiko is a delicious and tender meat dish that’s slow-cooked in parchment paper. It’s usually made with lamb, but can also be made with beef or pork. I have a family member who makes this at Christmas and I look forward to it.

What winter dishes do you like?
Click to expand...
Spanakorizo, psarosoupa, and stifado!
 
I love stifado, spanakopita, lamb shanks... yummy!
 
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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!

Which Greek dishes did you love as a kid?

I’m planning a big Greek family gathering soon and there will be a lot of kids there—some of them pretty picky eaters! It got me thinking about what I used to love as a kid growing up in a Greek household.

Honestly, I was a super picky eater back then (hard to believe now!), but there were still a few dishes I always wanted seconds of. I remember loving things like koulourakia, fried meatballs (keftedakia), and avgolemono soup. Simple, comforting, and easy to eat.

Now I’m wondering, which Greek dishes did you love as a kid? I’d love to serve a few things at the gathering that will be hits with the younger crowd but still feel authentically Greek. Bonus points if they’re easy to prep ahead or good for a buffet-style setup.

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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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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?

Homemade Gyro Meat?

I absolutely love gyros, but I’ve never been a fan of the store-bought meat—it always tastes a bit too processed for me. I’m thinking about trying to make my own gyro meat at home, but I’m not sure where to start. Is it as simple as roasting a leg of lamb and carving thin slices? Or is there a better way to get that classic texture and flavor?

I’ve seen some people use a mix of lamb and beef, ground and packed tightly into a loaf pan. Others say the key is in the spices and pressing the meat after cooking. I’m open to experimenting, but I’d love to hear what’s worked for others.
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