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paharo45

Active member
I'm planning another trip to Greece, and one thing I'm especially looking forward to is the seafood. Every time I've visited, it seems like every taverna has something a little different depending on where you are, and I've had some incredible meals along the coast.

I'm curious to hear what seafood do you always order when you're in Greece? Do you stick with grilled octopus, calamari, shrimp, or whole grilled fish, or is there a lesser-known dish that you think visitors should try? Are there certain islands or regions that you think serve the best seafood? I'd also love to hear if you have a favorite way it's prepared, not only to give me inspiration for what to order, but also when cooking at home.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
 
For me, one of the best things about eating seafood in Greece is keeping it simple. I almost always order grilled octopus if it looks good, especially when it’s served with olive oil, lemon, and oregano. I also love whole grilled fish because the flavor really doesn’t need much else when the fish is fresh.

Another favorite is shrimp saganaki. It’s richer than the grilled dishes, but the combination of shrimp, tomato, feta, and herbs is so good, especially with bread for dipping into the sauce. Fried small fish, like gavros or marides, are also worth trying if you see them on the menu.

I’ve had especially memorable seafood on the islands and in smaller coastal towns where the menu depends on the day’s catch. At home, I usually try to recreate the simpler preparations. Good olive oil, fresh lemon, oregano, garlic, and grilling can get surprisingly close to those flavors.
 

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?

How do you keep homemade spanakopita from getting soggy?

I've been thinking about making homemade spanakopita, and one thing I'm trying to figure out is how to keep it from getting soggy. I love when the phyllo is nice and crispy, but I know that spinach releases a lot of moisture, which can make that difficult.

I've heard that squeezing as much liquid as possible out of the spinach is important, especially when using frozen spinach. I've also heard that some people cook the spinach first to help remove excess moisture. I'm wondering if there are other tricks that make a difference.

Does the type of feta you use matter? What about the amount of olive oil or butter between the phyllo layers? I'm also curious whether the baking temperature makes a difference.

For those of you who make spanakopita regularly, what are your best tips for getting that perfectly crispy texture?

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?

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 herbs do you use when making Greek stuffed zucchini?

I've been thinking about making Greek stuffed zucchini (kolokithakia gemista), and I'm curious about which herbs everyone uses in the filling. I've seen quite a few variations, and it seems like the combination of herbs can really influence the overall flavor of the dish.

Some recipes use plenty of fresh dill and parsley, while others include mint or even a little oregano. I've also noticed that some people add green onions for extra flavor. I'm wondering whether certain herbs are considered more traditional, especially when making stuffed zucchini with rice and ground meat.

Do you use a combination of herbs, or do you prefer to keep the seasoning fairly simple? Does your family have a particular recipe that has been passed down through generations?

I'm especially interested in how the herbs complement the avgolemono sauce. What combination do you think gives Greek stuffed zucchini the best flavor?
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