Greek Food, Cooking and Recipe Community

What are some traditional winter Greek dishes?

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GreekGirlCooks

GreekGirlCooks

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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Making traditional loukaniko question

I’m on a culinary quest to master the art of making Loukaniko, the traditional Greek sausage that tantalizes taste buds with its savory blend of spices and herbs. I understand that each region and even each family might have their own special recipe passed down through generations.

Which leads me to my ask - could anyone who’s familiar with Greek cuisine share insights about the most common seasonings used in Loukaniko? I'm especially interested in any mix of spices that gives it that characteristic flavor profile.

I’ve done some preliminary research, but I’m looking for that firsthand knowledge. What's the blend that makes your Loukaniko stand out? Are there any particular secrets to perfect the authentic taste?

Learning about Greek food and wine pairing

I've recently developed a fascination with Greek wines and am eager to explore their potential pairings with various cuisines. Greek wines, with their rich history and unique grape varieties, offer a tantalizing range of flavors that I believe can complement a wide array of dishes beautifully. However, my experience in effectively pairing these wines is somewhat limited, and I would greatly appreciate any advice or insights from those more familiar with this area.

Particularly, I'm interested in understanding which types of Greek wines (white, red, or rosé) pair best with specific dishes or cuisines. Here are a few specific questions I have in mind:
  1. Assyrtiko: Known for its crisp acidity and citrus notes, which dishes would best highlight Assyrtiko's characteristics?
  2. Agiorgitiko: Often described as smooth and velvety, what kinds of meals would complement this type of red wine?
  3. Xinomavro: With its robust tannins and complex flavor profile, what are the best food pairings to balance its intensity?
  4. Retsina: Given its unique pine resin flavor, are there particular foods that match well with this traditional wine?
Additionally, I'm curious if there are any general rules of thumb when it comes to pairing Greek wines with dishes from other culinary traditions outside of Greek cuisine.

Thank you!

What are the most famous Greek cheeses?

I've recently embarked on a culinary quest to explore the rich and diverse world of Greek cheeses. From the tangy feta found in traditional Greek salads to the sizzling delights of halloumi, Greece's cheese culture seems incredibly vast and flavorful. 🇬🇷

I'm reaching out to this knowledgeable community to ask: What are the most famous Greek cheeses that you've tried or heard of?

Are there any particular varieties that are a must-try or any hidden gems that rarely escape the borders of Greece? And if you have any delicious recipes or pairings to share, I'd love to hear about those too!

No Meat Dolmades (Stuffed Grape Leaves) Recipe

It has taken me a long time to get vegetarian dolmades to the point where I enjoy them. Here is my recipe. It uses a lot of oil, so strict fasters shouldn't eat them. But most people aren't super strict so I would even say these are good for lent!

Ingredients:​

  • 1 jar of grape leaves (about 60-70 leaves)
  • 1 cup short-grain rice
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh dill
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
  • Juice of 2 lemons
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Water

Instructions:​

  1. Prepare the Grape Leaves:
    • If using grape leaves preserved in brine, rinse them well under cold water to remove excess salt. If using fresh grape leaves, blanch them in boiling water for about 1 minute, then drain and rinse with cold water. Trim off any stems.
  2. Prepare the Filling:
    • In a large bowl, combine the rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped dill, chopped mint, chopped parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
  3. Fill and Roll the Grape Leaves:
    • Place a grape leaf flat on a clean work surface, shiny side down, with the stem end facing you. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the rice filling onto the center of the leaf, near the stem end.
    • Fold the bottom of the leaf over the filling, then fold in the sides, and roll tightly into a small cylinder.
    • Repeat with the remaining grape leaves and filling, arranging the rolled dolmades seam-side down in a large pot or deep skillet, packing them snugly together.
  4. Cook the Dolmades:
    • Once all the dolmades are rolled and packed in the pot, drizzle with a little olive oil and lemon juice.
    • Pour enough water into the pot to just cover the dolmades.
    • Place a heatproof plate or lid directly on top of the dolmades to keep them submerged during cooking.
    • Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer gently for about 45-60 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the grape leaves are tender.

Different kinds of baklava to try?

I've recently found myself on a delicious quest to explore the world of baklava, that rich, sweet pastry made of layers of filo filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey or syrup. I understand that baklava has roots in many culinary traditions across the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia, each bringing its own unique twist to this iconic dessert.

From what I’ve gathered, the variations of baklava are as numerous as they are delicious, differing in nuts, spices, types of syrup, and preparation methods. However, navigating through these variations is quite the challenge, and that’s where I’m seeking your collective wisdom!

I am curious what you guys think!
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