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What is the best Greek food to make for kids?

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kosta_karapinotis

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My nieces and nephews are coming to visit and I'd love to make some tasty Greek treats for them! I know they're pretty picky eaters and used to eating chicken nuggets but I want to keep some of the Greek culture alive. For anyone who has kids, what is popular amongst children?
 
Probably one of the more popular Greek foods that's not too strange: gyroi (they might find the tzatziki weird), spanakopita (the spinach might scare them) , tiropita, makaronopita, zamponotiropita, loukanikopita, pastitsio...
 
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ellinasgolfer0320 said:
Probably one of the more popular Greek foods that's not too strange: gyroi (they might find the tzatziki weird), spanakopita (the spinach might scare them) , tiropita, makaronopita, zamponotiropita, loukanikopita, pastitsio...
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kosta_karapinotis said:
My nieces and nephews are coming to visit and I'd love to make some tasty Greek treats for them! I know they're pretty picky eaters and used to eating chicken nuggets but I want to keep some of the Greek culture alive. For anyone who has kids, what is popular amongst children?
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My grands love almost any meat on a stick so I would suggest souvlakia and french fries topped with crumbled Feta. Maybe make a red dipping sauce for the french fries using a Kokkinisto recipe. Also how about Burnt Butter Spaghetti with Greek Mizithra Cheese. Sliced cucumbers with Tzatziki sauce ( call it the Greek version of ranch dressing LOL)
 
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ellinasgolfer0320 said:
Probably one of the more popular Greek foods that's not too strange: gyroi (they might find the tzatziki weird), spanakopita (the spinach might scare them) , tiropita, makaronopita, zamponotiropita, loukanikopita, pastitsio...
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Loukanikopita is a huge favorite amongst my sons! I've never made it at home though. I've only seen it at bakeries
 
KarenKariotis1 said:
My grands love almost any meat on a stick so I would suggest souvlakia and french fries topped with crumbled Feta. Maybe make a red dipping sauce for the french fries using a Kokkinisto recipe. Also how about Burnt Butter Spaghetti with Greek Mizithra Cheese. Sliced cucumbers with Tzatziki sauce ( call it the Greek version of ranch dressing LOL)
Click to expand...
Yess any type of spaghetti! Maybe with Greek meat sauce too :) What a good idea
 
Pastitsio all the way, or Makaronia with Kima!
 
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ellinasgolfer0320 said:
Probably one of the more popular Greek foods that's not too strange: gyroi (they might find the tzatziki weird), spanakopita (the spinach might scare them) , tiropita, makaronopita, zamponotiropita, loukanikopita, pastitsio...
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All of these are things I loved when I was a kid. I also loved keftedes and avgolemono soup.
 
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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?

What Greek Foods Do You Start Craving in the Fall?

I've been thinking more about seasonal eating lately, especially from a Greek perspective. Summer Greek food feels so naturally tied to the season with tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, fresh herbs, grilled foods, and plenty of fruit. But once the weather starts cooling down, I find myself wondering what traditional Greek foods really feel like fall.

Are there certain dishes you start making as soon as September or October arrives? I'm thinking of foods like fasolada, giouvetsi, trahana soup, baked dishes, savory pies, and recipes using apples, grapes, walnuts, chestnuts, pumpkin, or other fall ingredients.

I'd especially love to hear about foods that were seasonal in your family rather than dishes you ate year-round. Were there certain meals your yiayia or parents always started making when the weather changed?

What Greek foods make you think, "Okay, fall is officially here"?

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!

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.

How Do You Keep Lamb from Drying Out in the Oven?

I’ve been cooking more traditional Greek food at home lately, and one thing I’m still trying to get right is oven-roasted lamb. I love the flavor, especially with garlic, lemon, oregano, and potatoes, but sometimes the meat comes out a little drier than I’d like.

For those of you who make lamb regularly, how do you keep it tender and juicy in the oven? Do you cover it for part of the cooking time, add water or broth to the pan, or cook it slowly at a lower temperature?

I’m also wondering if the cut makes a big difference. I usually see leg of lamb used, but would shoulder be more forgiving for a long roast?

I’d like to get that really tender Greek-style lamb that practically falls apart. Any tips on temperature, cooking time, marinades, or resting the meat would be appreciated.
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