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kcixcy

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I'm making Greek salad this weekend, what are the best types of olives? And is it more traditional to get pitted or non pitted olives? There are so many options

greek-olives-250x188.jpg
 
Unpitted kalamata olives are the classic!! But any olive you like is best :)
 
I'm making Greek salad this weekend, what are the best types of olives? And is it more traditional to get pitted or non pitted olives? There are so many options

View attachment 299
I like the dark . I always buy them sliced bottled. There is no guarantee the pit is out or a shard. I almost broke a tooth from a olive bottled supposedly pitted. Either but them with the pit and expect it or pit them yourself. Be safe with those choppers. Green can be bitter.
 
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I like the dark . I always buy them sliced bottled. There is no guarantee the pit is out or a shard. I almost broke a tooth from a olive bottled supposedly pitted. Either but them with the pit and expect it or pit them yourself. Be safe with those choppers. Green can be bitter.
That happened to me too LOL! Yeah you gotta be careful especially when mixing them into salads
 
I'm making Greek salad this weekend, what are the best types of olives? And is it more traditional to get pitted or non pitted olives? There are so many options

View attachment 299
I usually buy a variety. However, I couldn't find Jumbo Black olives this year. Only found kalamata from Greece. I bought a variety of Mediterranean olives to supplement it with some black, green olives in the jar, but they are from Italy, not Greece.
 
My favorite are Kalamata, but I LOVE a good, sturdy green Greek olive once in a while. It all depends on what I can find and what my mood is. Sometimes I like to include a medley of both in my salad.
 

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.

What is your favorite Greek potato dish?

Potatoes show up in so many Greek meals, and I think they are often at their best when they soak up plenty of olive oil, lemon, herbs, and cooking juices.

Greek lemon potatoes are probably the first thing that comes to mind for me. I love when they are roasted until they are soft inside, a little crisp around the edges, and full of lemon and oregano. Potatoes cooked alongside chicken or lamb are also hard to beat because they absorb so much flavor from the pan.

I also enjoy simple boiled potatoes dressed with olive oil, lemon, parsley, and salt, especially with fish or grilled meat.

What Greek potato dish do you make most often? Do you prefer lemon potatoes, potatoes roasted with meat, fried potatoes, or something else? And is there a particular seasoning or family method that makes your version especially good?

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.

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 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!
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