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nadellii

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Mezze is the ultimate Greek style of eating. If you didn’t know, mezze is similar to Spanish tapas. It’s when you order smaller plates for everyone at the table to share. Personally, my favorite mezze is fried calamari. You really can’t go wrong with it! What about you?
 
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fried calamari on its own does not make a mezze.you need at least 6 plates of different items.say cheese balls, meat balls, stuffed vine leaves, gigantes, fried fetta cheese & olives.
 
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The Greek ouzo meze is part of the drinking experience as it helps you drink ouzo or raki without getting intoxicated. More about the meze below. Yes, you need more that 5 items to make a meze. In the past, when I was young, I remember a tiny plate with cheese, meatball, sardine, tomato, cucumber, bread and olive (for my grandfather's ouzaki). https://www.thegreekvibe.com/the-greek-meze-its-story/
 
Saganaki me meli kai sousami (Saganaki with honey and sesame).

Kalamaria is probably a close second.
 
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Saganaki me meli kai sousami (Saganaki with honey and sesame).

Kalamaria is probably a close second.
Is saganaki with honey and sesame popular all over Greece? I haven't seen it in every restaurant as I do plain saganaki
 
Is saganaki with honey and sesame popular all over Greece? I haven't seen it in every restaurant as I do plain saganaki
Yes, it can be found all over. Most restaurants will have it on the menu.
 
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Mezze is the ultimate Greek style of eating. If you didn’t know, mezze is similar to Spanish tapas. It’s when you order smaller plates for everyone at the table to share. Personally, my favorite mezze is fried calamari. You really can’t go wrong with it! What about you?
Mezze is the ultimate Greek style of eating. If you didn’t know, mezze is similar to Spanish tapas. It’s when you order smaller plates for everyone at the table to share. Personally, my favorite mezze is fried calamari. You really can’t go wrong with it! What about you?
Spanakopeta, fava, loukaniko, ...all are good and delicious.
 
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Yesss loukaniko is the best!! Especially when it’s made fresh at the butcher.
Spanakopeta, fava, loukaniko, ...all are good and delicious.
 
Mezze is the ultimate Greek style of eating. If you didn’t know, mezze is similar to Spanish tapas. It’s when you order smaller plates for everyone at the table to share. Personally, my favorite mezze is fried calamari. You really can’t go wrong with it! What about you?
Anything that involves olives or octopus! Also, I sometimes enjoy loukoumades. Sometimes in bars/cafes in Greece they bring over loukoumades when you order a cocktail. Yummy!
 

No Meat Dolmades (Stuffed Grape Leaves) Recipe

It has taken me a long time to get vegetarian dolmades to the point where I enjoy them. Here is my recipe. It uses a lot of oil, so strict fasters shouldn't eat them. But most people aren't super strict so I would even say these are good for lent!

Ingredients:​

  • 1 jar of grape leaves (about 60-70 leaves)
  • 1 cup short-grain rice
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh dill
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
  • Juice of 2 lemons
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Water

Instructions:​

  1. Prepare the Grape Leaves:
    • If using grape leaves preserved in brine, rinse them well under cold water to remove excess salt. If using fresh grape leaves, blanch them in boiling water for about 1 minute, then drain and rinse with cold water. Trim off any stems.
  2. Prepare the Filling:
    • In a large bowl, combine the rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped dill, chopped mint, chopped parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
  3. Fill and Roll the Grape Leaves:
    • Place a grape leaf flat on a clean work surface, shiny side down, with the stem end facing you. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the rice filling onto the center of the leaf, near the stem end.
    • Fold the bottom of the leaf over the filling, then fold in the sides, and roll tightly into a small cylinder.
    • Repeat with the remaining grape leaves and filling, arranging the rolled dolmades seam-side down in a large pot or deep skillet, packing them snugly together.
  4. Cook the Dolmades:
    • Once all the dolmades are rolled and packed in the pot, drizzle with a little olive oil and lemon juice.
    • Pour enough water into the pot to just cover the dolmades.
    • Place a heatproof plate or lid directly on top of the dolmades to keep them submerged during cooking.
    • Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer gently for about 45-60 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the grape leaves are tender.

How does this fasolada recipe look?

Does anyone have any idea if the ingredients list in this fasolada recipe looks good? I want to make it soon - seems like a good lenten meal to me.

  • 1 cup dried white beans (such as Great Northern or navy beans), soaked overnight
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups vegetable stock
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
  • Optional: lemon wedges for serving

I am questioning the lemon and the garlic - I never put both lemon and garlic together. Also, I have never used stock before, I usually put tomato paste in it. But this recipe has diced tomatoes so I am questioning if the stock is necessary.

Stuffed grape leaves - how much filling?

I haven't made stuffed grape leaves in a while and I have some questions.

First of all, I am having a hard time judging how much filling to put in each leaf? I have a friend who helped me and tried to explain. She'd put a teaspoon of filling in the leaf, then add or subtract more after looking at it. She's quick rolling, and I have no idea how she knows how much filling.

And she really couldn't explain it - just said that you have to look at it and it's by feel. It sounds like my yiayia and she's younger than me! I told her that and she just shrugged. She tried to talk me through it as we were rolling together but it seemed so random to me.

Getting souvlaki tender?

How do you make tender Greek souvlaki? I've attempted various recipes, marinated for different durations, and experimented with both high and low cooking temps, but I seem to be missing the mark for that mouth-watering tenderness commonly found in authentic Greek souvlaki.

Has anyone found a particular method or ingredient that makes a significant difference in achieving that ideal tenderness?

I use ladolemono, a marinate it overnight in ziplock baggies (after I cut the meat in cubes) and then I add them to the skewers and cook them on the grill. I typically use chicken.

Making traditional loukaniko question

I’m on a culinary quest to master the art of making Loukaniko, the traditional Greek sausage that tantalizes taste buds with its savory blend of spices and herbs. I understand that each region and even each family might have their own special recipe passed down through generations.

Which leads me to my ask - could anyone who’s familiar with Greek cuisine share insights about the most common seasonings used in Loukaniko? I'm especially interested in any mix of spices that gives it that characteristic flavor profile.

I’ve done some preliminary research, but I’m looking for that firsthand knowledge. What's the blend that makes your Loukaniko stand out? Are there any particular secrets to perfect the authentic taste?
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