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auroracoor1

Active member
I have been researching Santorini for various reasons. Mostly because I am fascinated, but also because I plan to visit. Is the food on the island similar to the rest of Greece? What should I look out for when I am there?

As far as I can tell the tomatoes are really special there, and I should order a lot of things that involve tomato. Can you guys think of anything else? I also want to find recipes for some of the main dishes so I can try them before my trip.
 
While tourist menus tend to be the same, each region and island group will offer local specialities. For breakfast one might be offered rice pudding in Molyvos or a tomato bread pudding in Santorini. You’re right to do research for the places you will visit and to be sure to order the specialties rather than let’s say…an omelette! Santorini’s soil produces excellent tomatoes and wine, but seriously, the food in every region is excellent. Just look for locally-grown and farm-to-table establishments as much as possible.
 
While tourist menus tend to be the same, each region and island group will offer local specialities. For breakfast one might be offered rice pudding in Molyvos or a tomato bread pudding in Santorini. You’re right to do research for the places you will visit and to be sure to order the specialties rather than let’s say…an omelette! Santorini’s soil produces excellent tomatoes and wine, but seriously, the food in every region is excellent. Just look for locally-grown and farm-to-table establishments as much as possible.
Yes! I want to look for the authentic food - I've noticed that tourist menus tend to be a little different. I want authentic experiences, and I've learned I need to have a few dishes in my mind to seek out, and then I also need to ask locals where they recommend going to find xxx dish - if I mention regional specialties they'll know I am serious about finding authentic places.
 
It has been a while since I went to Santorini but when I was there, I noticed a real difference between menus in areas, say near where the cruses docked, and menus in villages that were a bit ticked away. There seemed to be more regional specialties in the out of the way places, but the tourist menus had one or two offerings. My advice would be to spend some time exploring some of the lesser known villages.
 

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?

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!

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?

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 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.
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