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nadellii

Active member
I’m planning a big Greek family gathering soon and there will be a lot of kids there—some of them pretty picky eaters! It got me thinking about what I used to love as a kid growing up in a Greek household.

Honestly, I was a super picky eater back then (hard to believe now!), but there were still a few dishes I always wanted seconds of. I remember loving things like koulourakia, fried meatballs (keftedakia), and avgolemono soup. Simple, comforting, and easy to eat.

Now I’m wondering, which Greek dishes did you love as a kid? I’d love to serve a few things at the gathering that will be hits with the younger crowd but still feel authentically Greek. Bonus points if they’re easy to prep ahead or good for a buffet-style setup.
 
What a fun idea! I love that you’re keeping the gathering rooted in Greek tradition while thinking of the little ones. As a kid, my absolute favorites were tiropitakia (cheese-filled phyllo triangles), it's easy to eat, no weird textures, and always a crowd-pleaser. Spanakopitakia were a close second if you keep the spinach-to-cheese ratio more kid-friendly.

Keftedakia, like you mentioned, are always a hit, serve them with a side of ketchup or tzatziki for dipping. Another good one: pastitsio! It’s like Greek lasagna and usually goes over well with picky eaters, especially if you go light on the spices.

For something sweet, besides koulourakia, try loukoumades or rizogalo (Greek rice pudding). They feel like dessert but aren’t too over-the-top.
 
I’m planning a big Greek family gathering soon and there will be a lot of kids there—some of them pretty picky eaters! It got me thinking about what I used to love as a kid growing up in a Greek household.

Honestly, I was a super picky eater back then (hard to believe now!), but there were still a few dishes I always wanted seconds of. I remember loving things like koulourakia, fried meatballs (keftedakia), and avgolemono soup. Simple, comforting, and easy to eat.

Now I’m wondering, which Greek dishes did you love as a kid? I’d love to serve a few things at the gathering that will be hits with the younger crowd but still feel authentically Greek. Bonus points if they’re easy to prep ahead or good for a buffet-style setup.
Oh my favorite was and is Menestra! YiaYia would always make that when I would be home for a visit- I never had to request it , she just knew! Still love it to this day -of course I have many favorites but that by far was my favorite growing up- perfect comfort food!
 

Greek street foods for summer?

I might be going to Greece in July, and one thing I’m really looking forward to is the street food. I’ve had gyros and souvlaki plenty of times here in the U.S., but I’m guessing the experience in Greece is completely different.

I’d love recommendations for the best street foods to try during the summer, especially things that are refreshing or easy to grab while walking around. Are there certain foods that are more popular in the hotter months? I’ve heard about koulouri in Thessaloniki and loukoumades from street vendors, but I’m sure there’s a lot more I don’t know about.

Also curious if there are regional specialties depending on which islands or cities you visit. I’m hoping to avoid overly touristy spots and try things locals actually eat regularly. What street foods would you put at the top of the list?

Best side dishes to serve with grilled fish?

Now that the weather is getting warmer, I’ve been grilling fish more often, usually things like branzino, salmon, or whole dorade with olive oil, lemon, and herbs. The fish itself always turns out great, but I feel like I fall into the same side dishes every single time and could use some new ideas.

I usually do something simple like roasted potatoes or a Greek salad, which I love, but I’m curious what everyone else likes serving alongside grilled fish. Do you prefer lighter sides that let the fish stand out, or more filling dishes to make it a complete meal?

I’m especially interested in traditional Greek combinations if anyone has favorites. Things like horta, gigantes, rice pilaf, grilled vegetables, or even dips and spreads. I’d love ideas that feel fresh, summery, and Mediterranean without being too heavy. What side dishes do you always come back to with grilled fish?

Most common Greek soups people make at home?

I’ve been thinking lately about how many soups are part of everyday Greek home cooking, especially compared to restaurant menus. Most people know avgolemono, but I’m curious what soups Greeks actually make regularly at home.

Growing up, I remember hearing about fasolada and lentil soup a lot, and I’ve also seen trahana mentioned in conversations online. It made me wonder what the “standard” soups are in different parts of Greece or in Greek families abroad.

What are the most common Greek soups people still cook today? Are they mostly winter foods, or are there lighter soups people make year-round? Also, are there any soups that are considered especially traditional for holidays, fasting periods, or village cooking?

Would love to hear what soups were common in your family growing up, or what you still make now.

Tips for a Great Tzatziki?

I love making tzatziki at home, but for some reason it never comes out the same twice. I use the exact same recipe every time, but sometimes it’s perfect—thick, creamy, and balanced—and other times it turns out way too thin or watery. It’s driving me a little crazy because I can’t figure out what I’m doing differently.

I usually use Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar or lemon juice. I think I’m draining the cucumber well, but maybe that’s where I’m going wrong? Or could it be the type of yogurt?

Does anyone have tips for getting consistent results? Do you salt and drain the cucumber first? Strain the yogurt more? I’d love to hear what actually makes the difference for you.

Sharing Greek Food with Friends - Recommendations?

I’m having a few friends over for dinner soon, and none of them are Greek, so I thought it would be fun to make a full Greek-style meal for them. I grew up with Greek food, so a lot of dishes feel “normal” to me, but now I’m realizing I’m not sure what works best for people who didn’t grow up eating it.

I definitely want to include a few traditional dishes, but I also don’t want to overwhelm everyone with too many things at once. I was thinking maybe spanakopita, souvlaki, Greek salad, rice, and some kind of dessert like baklava or galaktoboureko. I’m also wondering if there are certain dishes that tend to be crowd favorites with people who are newer to Greek food.

What meals or combinations have worked well for you when introducing Greek food to non-Greek friends? Any suggestions for appetizers, sides, or desserts would be appreciated too.
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