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AlexiaTravels

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What’s your favorite Greek cheese and how do you use it?

I’m partial to feta—it’s always in my fridge and I toss it into just about everything. From horiatiki salads to spanakopita to a simple omelet, it just works. But lately, I’ve been trying to branch out and explore some of the other amazing Greek cheeses out there.

I’ve tried graviera and really liked how nutty it was when grilled. A friend recently suggested trying manouri in desserts, which totally surprised me—had no idea it was that versatile! I also picked up some kefalotyri and used it for saganaki, which was incredible.

So I’m curious—what’s your favorite Greek cheese and how do you usually enjoy it? Are there any regional cheeses I should try? I’d especially love ideas for how to use them in both traditional and unexpected ways.

Would love to hear what everyone else is cooking with!
 
Great question—I’m a big cheese lover too, and Greek cheeses are seriously underrated beyond feta! One of my favorites is metsovone—a semi-hard, smoked cheese from Epirus. It’s amazing grilled or added to a warm sandwich for a smoky kick. Manouri is another gem—it’s mild and creamy, so I love using it with honey and walnuts as a dessert or in stuffed peaches. For something saltier, kasseri melts beautifully, making it perfect for toasties or even Greek-style mac and cheese. And if you liked kefalotyri in saganaki, try it grated over baked pasta or roasted veggies for a sharp, savory finish.

Also worth hunting down: myzithra—great crumbled over pasta with olive oil and pepper. It’s like Greek pecorino. For something unexpected, I once stuffed peppers with graviera and herbs—melted like a dream! Greek cheese boards are a thing too—mix with olives, fruit, and nuts and it’s a full mezze moment.
 

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?

Greek cooking without a recipe?

I've been thinking about how much traditional Greek cooking relies on instinct rather than following exact recipes. Some of the Greek dishes I learned to make were taught to me by feel, with someone showing me what to do rather than measuring everything out.

I actually enjoy cooking this way, but I've noticed that it can make certain dishes difficult to recreate consistently! Sometimes everything comes together perfectly, and other times I wonder what I did differently.

I'm curious how others approach this. Did you learn Greek cooking by watching your yiayia, mother, or other relatives? Do you measure ingredients, or do you just know when something looks, smells, or tastes right?

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?

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?

Do you put potatoes in your briam?

I've noticed that there are quite a few variations of briam, especially when it comes to which vegetables people include. One ingredient I'm particularly curious about is potatoes. Do you always put potatoes in your briam, or do you prefer making it without them?

I usually think of briam as a combination of zucchini, eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and plenty of olive oil. I love how the potatoes absorb all those wonderful flavors as everything slowly roasts together in the oven.

However, I've seen recipes that leave the potatoes out entirely and focus more on the summer vegetables. I imagine that makes the dish a little lighter.

I'm also curious whether there are regional differences in how briam is prepared throughout Greece. Does your family have a particular way of making it? And what vegetables do you consider absolutely essential?
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