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blopez34

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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.
 
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.
I didn't know they were from Norther Greece!! Thanks :)
 
I didn't know they were from Norther Greece!! Thanks :)
Well, only the version with the spicy red sauce. Everywhere else, we enjoy these with the traditional egg-lemon sauce.
 
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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.
 
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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.
Is avgolemono traditional with dolmades? Because I'm not used to eating it that way
 
Is either of them more traditional? I would like to try making one of them this weekend :)
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.
 
Is avgolemono traditional with dolmades? Because I'm not used to eating it that way
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.
 

What Is the Best Way to Serve Taramosalata?

I absolutely love taramosalata and have it pretty regularly at home, but I’m having some people over soon and was wondering about the best way to serve it when entertaining.

Normally I just eat it with some bread or pita, so I don’t really put much thought into presentation. For guests, though, I’d like to make it part of a nice Greek-style spread with a few other things on the table. I was thinking warm pita triangles, crusty bread, maybe some cucumber and other vegetables for dipping, but I’m curious what everyone else usually serves with it.

Do you drizzle a little olive oil over the top or add any kind of garnish? And are there particular meze that you think pair especially well with taramosalata?

I’d love some ideas for making it look a little more special while still keeping everything traditional and simple.

What is the secret to making really good Greek lemon potatoes?

I've been making Greek lemon potatoes for years, and it's one of those dishes I make completely by feel. I don't measure anything, and I never really thought about how I make them because it's all second nature to me.

Recently, I tried teaching someone how to make them. Everything seemed straightforward while we were cooking together, but when they went home and tried making them on their own, all kinds of things went wrong! The potatoes weren't cooking evenly, the texture wasn't quite right, and the lemon flavor didn't come through the way it should.

It made me realize how much I rely on instinct when cooking traditional Greek food. I rarely write down recipes, so explaining every little detail is harder than I expected!

For those who make Greek lemon potatoes regularly, what tips would you give someone who's just learning?

How does your family season dolmades?

I’ve been thinking about how much dolmades can vary from one family to another, especially when it comes to seasoning. Even when the basic ingredients are similar, the flavor can be completely different depending on which herbs and spices are used.

How does your family season dolmades? Do you use mostly dill and parsley, or do you add mint as well? I’ve also seen recipes that include green onions, oregano, or even a little cinnamon, especially when meat is part of the filling.

I’m curious whether you season the rice mixture pretty heavily before rolling the grape leaves or keep it simple and let the lemon and olive oil provide most of the flavor. Does your family add lemon juice directly to the filling, or only during cooking and serving?

I’d especially love to hear about any regional or family traditions. What gives your dolmades their distinctive flavor?

My Family’s Keftedes Recipe

Keftedes are one of those foods that always remind me of family gatherings. Everyone seems to make them a little differently, but this is the basic version my family has always used.

For about a pound of ground beef, we add one small grated onion, a handful of chopped fresh parsley, a little fresh mint, one egg, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, oregano, and a small splash of red wine vinegar. Sometimes we add a little grated garlic as well.

The important part is mixing everything well and then letting the mixture sit in the refrigerator for a little while before shaping the keftedes. We make them fairly small, roll them lightly in flour, and fry them in olive oil until browned on the outside and cooked through.

We usually serve them with lemon, potatoes, salad, or tzatziki.

How does your family make keftedes? I’m especially curious about which herbs and seasonings everyone uses. Thought I'd share!

Is lamb or beef more traditional for giouvetsi?

I've been looking into traditional Greek giouvetsi recipes lately, and I'm curious about which meat is considered the most traditional. I've seen recipes that use lamb, others that call for beef, and even some that use chicken.

I love the idea of slowly cooking the meat in a rich tomato sauce with orzo until everything becomes tender and flavorful. However, I'm wondering whether lamb or beef would be the more authentic choice.

Is one traditionally preferred in certain regions of Greece? I've read that lamb is often associated with older Greek recipes, but beef seems to be very common in modern versions of giouvetsi.

I'm also curious whether the choice of meat changes the way the dish is prepared. Does lamb require different seasonings or cooking times than beef?

For those familiar with traditional Greek cooking, which version do you prefer, and which would you recommend trying first?
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