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dpappas87

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When I cook Greek dessert recipes, I tend to use whatever honey I have in the house. I've never really thought about it. Now, I am wondering if everything will taste better if I take the time to track down some Greek honey. Do you guys notice much of a difference? I am getting ready to start my holiday baking and I will be doing at least melamakarona and baklava, both of which I believe I need honey for?
 
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In my experience if it isn't Greek honey, I tend to find local, unfiltered, raw sources. So, I go out of my way to find a farm. To me, the local honey tastes the best - unless I can find honey from Greece, which is on another level.
 
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When I cook Greek dessert recipes, I tend to use whatever honey I have in the house. I've never really thought about it. Now, I am wondering if everything will taste better if I take the time to track down some Greek honey. Do you guys notice much of a difference? I am getting ready to start my holiday baking and I will be doing at least melamakarona and baklava, both of which I believe I need honey for?
Greek honey is very different to all the honeys I have tasted from different countries.....we have a Royal organic honey farm here where the bees ?? are really nurtured and taken care of ....can taste all the different flowers ?? from where the bees have been traveling.... They can travel long distances....The honey from Crete and Peloponnese are the best!...... Greek honey is much thicker and strong in taste.... ideal for your baking.... Please send us some baklava to taste!....?.... Kalley Mera from Thailand!
 
Greek honey is very different to all the honeys I have tasted from different countries.....we have a Royal organic honey farm here where the bees ?? are really nurtured and taken care of ....can taste all the different flowers ?? from where the bees have been traveling.... They can travel long distances....The honey from Crete and Peloponnese are the best!...... Greek honey is much thicker and strong in taste.... ideal for your baking.... Please send us some baklava to taste!....?.... Kalley Mera from Thailand!
I totally agree- Greek honey really is special and it is worth it to find some. If you can't find Greek honey locally you can buy it online. I can even buy it on Amazon sometimes.
 
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Thank you all for chiming in! I decided not to tempt it - if I can't find Greek honey locally I will just buy it online.
 
It is ok if you can’t find greek honey for your greek pastries. Even though it might taste better for you and I since we have been accustomed eating and baking with it, you can definitely substitute any other good local honey.
 

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!

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.

Do you put potatoes in your briam?

I've noticed that there are quite a few variations of briam, especially when it comes to which vegetables people include. One ingredient I'm particularly curious about is potatoes. Do you always put potatoes in your briam, or do you prefer making it without them?

I usually think of briam as a combination of zucchini, eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and plenty of olive oil. I love how the potatoes absorb all those wonderful flavors as everything slowly roasts together in the oven.

However, I've seen recipes that leave the potatoes out entirely and focus more on the summer vegetables. I imagine that makes the dish a little lighter.

I'm also curious whether there are regional differences in how briam is prepared throughout Greece. Does your family have a particular way of making it? And what vegetables do you consider absolutely essential?

How Much Garlic in a Batch of Tzatziki?

How much garlic do you usually put in a batch of tzatziki? I think I may be using a little too much. I usually make mine with about 2 cups of Greek yogurt and 4 cloves of garlic, along with cucumber, olive oil, and the other usual ingredients.

It tastes great when I first make it, but we usually take about three days to finish the batch. By the second or third day, the garlic flavor and smell become really strong. Some people in my household love that and don’t mind it at all, but others think it becomes a bit overpowering. I’m starting to agree that four cloves might be too much, especially since the garlic seems to get stronger as it sits.

What do you all do? How many cloves would you use for about 2 cups of Greek yogurt?

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?
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