Greek Food, Cooking and Recipe Community

What is more traditional? Dolmades (grape leaves) or lahanodolmades?

1 - 12 of 12 Posts
B

blopez34

Active member
Is either of them more traditional? I would like to try making one of them this weekend :)
 
My vote is Dolmades all day, every day!! LOL 🇬🇷
 
They are both very traditional but they are different in the below:
1. Stuffed vine leaves are best served cold with yogurt on the side
2. Cabbage rolls are better hot or warm with either spicy red sauce (Northern Greece) or white egg-lemon sauce on top.
3. Dolmades is better when the vine leaves are fresh, ie in May and we can preserve these and eat them all summer. Lahanodolmades are a winter dish, perfect for those chilly days.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Vangelis and d_kakavouli
The Local Favour said:
They are both very traditional but they are different in the below:
1. Stuffed vine leaves are best served cold with yogurt on the side
2. Cabbage rolls are better hot or warm with either spicy red sauce (Northern Greece) or white egg-lemon sauce on top.
3. Dolmades is better when the vine leaves are fresh, ie in May and we can preserve these and eat them all summer. Lahanodolmades are a winter dish, perfect for those chilly days.
Click to expand...
I didn't know they were from Norther Greece!! Thanks :)
 
d_kakavouli said:
I didn't know they were from Norther Greece!! Thanks :)
Click to expand...
Well, only the version with the spicy red sauce. Everywhere else, we enjoy these with the traditional egg-lemon sauce.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nadellii
Both are traditional and follow the seasons, cabbage in the winter, vine leaves in the summer, when they are fresh and tender (around May). Greek dishes based on cabbage can be found more often in Northern Greece, eg. lahanorizo = Greek cabbage with rice, lahania = pork with cabbage - a recipe from Thrace. Avgolemono (egg-lemon sauce) is added to the dolmades that have also meat inside > one of the ultimate Greek comfort foods! :love: One of the most traditional dolma-style recipe in Northern Greece is called pontiakoi sarmades.
 
  • Like
Reactions: acamp7
greekality said:
Both are traditional and follow the seasons, cabbage in the winter, vine leaves in the summer, when they are fresh and tender (around May). Greek dishes based on cabbage can be found more often in Northern Greece, eg. lahanorizo = Greek cabbage with rice, lahania = pork with cabbage - a recipe from Thrace. Avgolemono (egg-lemon sauce) is added to the dolmades that have also meat inside > one of the ultimate Greek comfort foods! :love: One of the most traditional dolma-style recipe in Northern Greece is called pontiakoi sarmades.
Click to expand...
Is avgolemono traditional with dolmades? Because I'm not used to eating it that way
 
blopez34 said:
Is either of them more traditional? I would like to try making one of them this weekend :)
Click to expand...
I think the traditional choice is, they use whatever they have on hand. I ordered "dolmades" in Greece once and got a platter filled with stuffed grape leaves and zucchini flowers. Cabbage wasn't in season at the time, but those two items are.
 
acamp7 said:
Is avgolemono traditional with dolmades? Because I'm not used to eating it that way
Click to expand...
In some families it is. I don't do it, I just use lemon. In Greece I've gotten it with either lemon juice, a light tomato sauce, or avgolemono. It all depends on what people feel like doing, I think, and it might depend on the region of Greece.
 
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION AND READ OTHER GREEK INFO:

Preserving Fresh Herbs Options?

I have fresh herbs growing beautifully in my yard right now, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, and a few others I use all the time in my Greek cooking. I dry oregano every year, but I’m wondering what other methods people use to preserve fresh herbs beyond just drying.

For example, can you freeze dill without it turning brown or losing flavor? What about mint, has anyone had luck preserving it in ice cubes or oil? I’d love to have a supply that still tastes vibrant when I cook things like yemista, dolmades, or spanakopita in the winter months.

Are there any Greek-style herb pastes or traditional methods that people still use? I’ve heard of storing parsley in lemon juice, but I’ve never tried it. I’d really love to keep the flavor of summer going year-round, especially since these herbs are such a big part of how I cook.

Top 5 Favorite Greek Foods to Grill?

I absolutely love hosting summer dinner parties outside, there’s nothing better than good food, good company, and a warm evening breeze. I tend to stick with Greek food (with a few fun twists), and grilling has become my favorite way to cook when entertaining.

Here’s my current top 5 for the grill:
  1. Leg of lamb (slow and juicy!)
  2. Souvlaki (can’t go wrong)
  3. Grilled whole fish, Greek style with lemon and herbs
  4. Greek veggies in a grill pan—zucchini, peppers, onions, the works
  5. Pizza! Not traditional Greek, but it’s always a crowd pleaser
I’m always looking for new ideas to add to the lineup. What are your favorite Greek (or Greek-inspired) dishes to grill? I’d love to hear what others are making—especially things that feel festive, flavorful, and easy to serve outdoors. Open to everything from meats to cheeses to sides...

My Favorite Greek Ladokoulourakia Recipe

I love these olive oil cookies - I first had them in Greece and have been making them ever since.

Ingredients:​

  • 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground cloves (optional, but I love it)
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 4 to 4½ cups all-purpose flour
  • Optional: sesame seeds for topping

Instructions:​

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, orange juice, sugar, orange zest, baking soda, cinnamon, and cloves.
  3. Gradually add the flour, mixing until a soft, pliable dough forms. It should not stick to your hands.
  4. Shape into small ropes (~4–5 inches) and form into twists or rings.
  5. Place on baking sheet. Optional: brush with a little orange juice and sprinkle sesame seeds.
  6. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until lightly golden.

Handling dried gigantes?

I’m a huge fan of gigantes plaki and other dishes that use these giant beans. I am really struggling with the dried ones.

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?

Understanding Greek Condiments

I’ve noticed that condiments in Greece can vary quite a bit depending on where you are. For example, when I visit Crete, there’s always fresh lemon on the table, and people use it on everything, from meat to greens. In other places, I see a lot of vinegar being used, especially with salads and fried foods.

It got me wondering, what are the most common condiments across different regions of Greece? Do Greeks ever use things like ketchup, mustard, or mayonnaise at home, or is that mostly in tourist areas?

I know olive oil and lemon are staples, but sometimes I see things on tables that surprise me. Just curious if there are certain traditional uses for these “modern” condiments or if it’s more regional/custom-based. Would love to hear your thoughts or family traditions!
Sign up for a free account and share your thoughts, photos, questions about Greek food, travel and culture!

WorldwideGreeks.com is a free online forum community where people can discuss Greek food, travel, traditions, history and mythology.
Join Worldwide Greeks here!

JOIN COMMUNITY FOR FREE

LOGIN TO YOUR ACCOUNT
Back
Top