Delicious Barbecue Recipes https://www.mygreekdish.com/category/collections/barbecue-recipes/ Authentic, traditional, locally sourced Greek recipes and nutritional advice. Sat, 04 Nov 2023 19:32:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.mygreekdish.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/cropped-MyGreekDish-icon-32x32.png Delicious Barbecue Recipes https://www.mygreekdish.com/category/collections/barbecue-recipes/ 32 32 52084098 Greek Marinade for Chicken with Yogurt https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/greek-marinade-for-chicken-with-yogurt/ https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/greek-marinade-for-chicken-with-yogurt/#comments Fri, 04 Aug 2023 10:56:15 +0000 https://www.mygreekdish.com/?p=271374 All you need to take your chicken to the next level is a simple yet full of Mediterranean flavours marinade! And I have just the perfect Greek marinade for chicken […]

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All you need to take your chicken to the next level is a simple yet full of Mediterranean flavours marinade! And I have just the perfect Greek marinade for chicken for you to try!

It takes just a few minutes to create and adds tons of flavor to any type of chicken. You can easily use it to add flavor to chicken for a meal or to great delicious grilled chicken for your next barbecue.

Greek marinaded chicken

Greek Marinade for Chicken

Greek chicken marinade is a simple to prepare marinade to make your chicken more flavorful without a lot of extra work.

Marinades are used for all kinds of meat and this one could be adapted to other meats but is definitely a star when added with chicken.

  • Easy to make: Marinade takes just a few minutes to prepare.
  • Use with any type of chicken: You can add any cut of chicken into the marinade.

Delicious Greek marinade for chicken

Greek marinade for Chicken with yogurt 

It is definitely best to use Greek yogurt for this recipe if you have it, because the yogurt works to tenderize the chicken. However, if you don’t have any Greek yogurt, you can use plain natural yogurt and it will work in a similar way.

If you don’t have any kind of yogurt you could use lemon juice as stated at the recipe below.

Tip: Depending on what you are serving with the chicken, you can add a teaspoon of sweet smoked paprika to the marinade for extra flavor.

Key Ingredients Greek Marinade for Chicken

Marinade: The marinade is made up of olive oil, lemon, garlic cloves, yogurt and red wine vinegar with dried oregano and runny honey in the mixture.

Chicken: You can use any type of chicken for the piece, thighs, breasts or chicken pieces. It is also optional if you want to have the skin on or off. You’ll want around 1lb or 1 ½ ounce for this recipe.

Greek marinade for chicken ingredients

Greek chicken marinade Key Preparation Tips

Take a large bowl or a ziplock bag and add the oil, lemon zest, crushed and peeled garlic and Greek yogurt. Mix in the oregano, honey, and red wine vinegar and season with salt and black pepper. Use a whisk to combine them.

Greek marinade for chicken recipe

 

Take the chicken and add to the marinade bowl or bag then put in the fridge for a minimum of two hours, ideally overnight.

Greek chicken marinade

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees (390 F) and roast the marinated chicken for 20-30 minutes depending on the size. You might need nearer 40 minutes for something like bone in chicken thighs.

Tip: If you used chicken with skin on, transfer them to a grill and heat until the skin is crispy with a good level of caramelization.

Greek chicken marinade

How to cook the marinated chicken on the grilled pan or barbecue

If you want to grill the chicken instead, use a direct heat to caramelize the meat before moving it to the edge of the pan to cook indirectly.

I do not recommend the griddle pan method, only the barbecue for skin on or bone in pieces of chicken, though skin on, bone in chicken thighs can be browned in the pan before being transferred to the oven to cook through.

Greek marinade for chicken

 

Variations

There are two main variations for this Greek Marinade for chicken. First one is with yogurt and the second one is with lemon juice.

While I always use olive oil for marinades, you can switch the type of oil you use depending on the style of dish you want to use the chicken in. So you could use sesame oil for Asian style dishes or canola or vegetable oil for Mexican or American style dishes.

Best Greek marinade for chicken

Making ahead of time and storing

You can store the cooked chicken for up to 2-3 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container and reheat it to use in different recipes.

Can you reuse leftover marinade?

You shouldn’t reuse a marinade that has contained uncooked chicken unless it has been cooked in some way. That’s because there’s harmful bacteria that can come from raw chicken and pass through the marinade.

As a best practice, if you want to use your marinade more than once, simply set aside a portion of the marinade in the fridge before you add the raw chicken. This leftover marinade can be safely used later for 2-3 days.

Greek marinated chicken

Serving suggestions

You can serve the chicken as it or can serve it alongside other Greek favorites such as salads:

  1. Greek Orzo Salad (Orzo feta salad)
  2. Traditional Greek salad (Xoriatiki)
  3. Delicious Greek Lentil Salad Recipe with Feta cheese (Fakes Salata)
  4. Refreshing Watermelon Feta Salad recipe
  5. Grilled Halloumi and Roasted Vegetables Salad Recipe
  6. Greek Pasta Salad recipe
  7. Greek chickpea salad

You could also serve it alongside some easy lemon rice, Greek lemon potatoes or vegetable dishes you love.

Greek marinade for chicken recipe

Other delicious chicken recipes

Find out how to make Greek yogurt from scratch with my super easy recipe!

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Greek marinade for chicken

Greek marinade for chicken

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (19 votes, average: 4.37 out of 5)
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  • Author: Eli K. Giannopoulos
  • Prep Time: 2 hours
  • Cook Time: 30 min
  • Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 3-4 portions
  • Category: Main
  • Method: Grilled
  • Cuisine: Greek

Description

All you need to take your chicken to the next level is a simple yet full of Mediterranean flavours marinade! And I have just the perfect Greek marinade for chicken for you to try!


Ingredients

For Greek chicken marinade

  • 90ml extra virgin olive oil (1/3 cup)
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 large garlic cloves
  • 3 tbsp Greek yogurt (or the juice of 1 lemon) 
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano 
  • 1 tbsp runny honey
  • 2 tsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • black pepper
  • 500g chicken thighs, breasts, or other chicken pieces, skin on or off (1 lb 1 1/2 oz)


Instructions

  1. In a large bowl or ziplock bag combine the oil, lemon zest, garlic cloves, peeled and crushed, Greek yogurt (or the juice of the lemon, if you don’t have any Greek yogurt to hand), dried oregano, honey, red wine vinegar, salt and plenty of black pepper. Whisk to combine.
  2. Add your choice of chicken pieces and marinate in the fridge for at least two hours, but preferably overnight.
  3. In the oven: In a 200 degrees (390 fahrenheit) oven roast the chicken pieces for 20-30 minutes depending on their size (40 minutes for bone in chicken thighs) until the meat is cooked through. If the pieces still have their skin, finish them under a hot grill if needed to get nice crispy skin and a good level of caramelisation. 
  4. On a griddle pan or barbecue: Cook on a direct heat until the meat is caramelised before moving to the edge of the pan or an area of indirect heat to cook through. We do not recommend the griddle pan method, only the barbecue for skin on or bone in pieces of chicken, though skin on, bone in chicken thighs can be browned in the pan before being transferred to the oven to cook through. 

Keywords: greek marinade for chicken, greek yogurt marinade for chicken, greek lemon marinade for chicken

 

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Vegan Tzatziki Sauce Recipe (dairy free) https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/vegan-tzatziki-sauce-recipe/ https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/vegan-tzatziki-sauce-recipe/#comments Sun, 20 Feb 2022 18:35:17 +0000 https://www.mygreekdish.com/?p=262546 This is my ultimate Vegan Tzatziki recipe! Deliciously creamy, refreshing and, best of all, even though its dairy-free, it tastes just like the original! Perfect if you are following a […]

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This is my ultimate Vegan Tzatziki recipe! Deliciously creamy, refreshing and, best of all, even though its dairy-free, it tastes just like the original! Perfect if you are following a vegan diet, are lactose intolerant or if you are fasting for the Easter and Christmas lent! 

So read along to discover my vegan yogurt shoot-out to find the best vegan yogurt for your tzatziki, my step by step preparation photos and of course my delicious recipe and vegan dish pairing suggestions for you to make the best dairy-free tzatziki you have every had!

Vegan tzatziki with crusty bread

What is tzatziki?

Tzatziki is a creamy, yoghurt based sauce, flavoured with minced garlic, grated cucumber, olive oil and vinegar. Tzatziki is commonly served as a dip, paired with sticks of cucumber and carrots or as part of a maze platter, together with some crusty bread and toasted pita breads

The secret behind the traditional Greek tzatziki is its yoghurt. Traditionally, tzatziki is made with Greek yoghurt, which is different from your usual yogurts because it is strained and the excess milk whey is removed

This straining process results in a much thicker yogurt that is also tangier and much creamier than plain yogurt. However, if you have ever tried a Vegan Tzatziki sauce before, you may have noticed that it just didn’t taste the same as the original. Why? It’s all because of the yogurt…

So, to make my Vegan Tzatziki taste just like the original I knew I had to find the best vegan yoghurt, one that tastes just like a strained Greek Yogurt. But how?

I tried all of the Greek style vegan yogurts available at your local supermarket – both branded and own brand, as well as their variations – soy, oat and coconut based.

I also tried the popular home-made “yogurts” which are made with ground up cashew nuts and soy. And I finally found one that is virtually indistinguishable from the original! 

So let’s get started! 

Vegan tzatziki ingredients

Vegan Tzatziki Ingredients

To make your dairy-free Vegan Tzatziki sauce to perfection you’ll need a handful of ingredients:

  1. Vegan Yogurt: This is the base of your dairy-free vegan tzatziki. You will need a yogurt that is neutral in flavour, creamy and tangy, that has no hints of sweetness. Most vegan tzatziki recipes use either cashew nuts or soy to make the yogurt base. However, these just don’t taste the same as a traditional strained Greek Yoghurt. Luckily  there is one natural vegan yogurt that tastes just like the original – check out my vegan yogurt shoot out below for more!
  2. Cucumber: You’ll need around half a cucumber to make your vegan tzatziki. The cucumber will add freshness to the tzatziki sauce, together with a crunchy bite to it.
  3. Garlic: Arguably the most important flavouring in your tzatziki! Depending on how “spicy” you like it, use 2-4 cloves. Make sure you mince them using a garlic press to extract all their delicious aromas and flavors!
  4. Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is a must. It will add a delicious earthy, nutty flavor to your tzatziki, complementing the creaminess of the yogurt.
  5. Vinegar: A dash of plain white wine vinegar will cut through the creaminess of the yogurt, giving your vegan tzatziki a slight acidity. If you don’t have white wine vinegar, a cider vinegar also works great.
  6. Salt, Pepper and (optionally) herbs: While the traditional greek tzatziki does not call for any herbs, if you like yours a bit more fragrant, you can try adding some chopped dill or mint!

Vegan tzatziki yoghurt test

Picking the right yogurt for your vegan tzatziki 

Since the basis for your vegan tzatziki is the dairy-free yogurt, we need one that closely resembles the taste, consistency, and color of the traditional strained Greek yoghurt. What we are looking for is:

  1. Creamy: The texture of the vegan yogurt needs to be thick, creamy and by no means watery. 
  2. Tangy: The vegan yogurt needs to have a tangy aftertaste and a hint of sharpness to its flavour. 
  3. Neutral in flavor: Ideally the vegan yogurt needs to be neutral in taste, without a sweet or fruity aftertaste. A neutral base will allow the flavours of the garlic, cucumber and the optional dill or mint to come through. And of course, it must not have an artificial aftertaste!
  4. White in color: The vegan yogurt needs to have a white or off-white color, to resemble the original as closely as possible.

With that in mind, I bought all the vegan yogurts I could find at my local supermarket and taste tested them to see how they compare against the original.

I tried both brand named ones as well as a store own brand as well as their three major variations – soy, oat and coconut based. And there was one clear winner! 

Vegan tzatziki oatly oatgurt greek style

The best yogurt for your Vegan Tzatziki: Oatly Oatgurt Greek Style

Without a doubt, the Oatly Oatgurt Greek style dairy free yogurt is the best for making your vegan Tzatziki. I was admittedly surprised when I tasted it for the first time. It tasted exactly the same as a strained Greek Yoghurt. So much so that I decided to do a blind test between it and my regular, usual strained Greek Yogurt. I could not distinguish the two! 

Its consistency is thick and creamy, just as you would expect from a Greek yogurt. Its color is a beautiful slightly off-white shade

When tasting the Oatly Oatgurt Greek Style yogurt, you initially get that sharp tangy flavor, together with a velvety, smooth taste in the mouth. Thankfully, it also did not leave any artificial aftertaste. This is a beautiful vegan Greek Yoghurt, ideally suited for savoury dips, like our dairy-free, vegan tzatziki!

How did the remaining vegan yogurts in my round up taste like? Read on to find out!

Vegan tzatziki alpro greek style oat yoghurt

Alpro Greek Style Oat vegan yogurt

I had high hopes for this one. After all, it is also an oat based yogurt, just like my favorite, the Oatly. However, when I opened it I was surprised by its color and texture.

The Alpro Greek Style Oat yogurt was a lot more jelly like, feeling almost like a creme brûlée in texture. Its color was also slightly more off-white than the Oatly. 

When tasting it, it was obvious that this yogurt is much sweeter than the Oatly and the traditional Greek yogurt. The tangy, sharp “bite” I was expecting was not there. You definitely don’t want to be making a savoury dip with this one!

Thankfully, it also did not leave an artificial aftertaste but rather one that had a hint of oats. All in all, it tasted like a delicious desert and it would go great with some chopped up fruit or biscuits, like my delicious quick and easy Greek yogurt desert!

Vegan tzatziki alpro greek style coconut yoghurt

Alpro Greek Style Coconut vegan yogurt

With the Alpro Greek Style Coconut vegan yogurt being coconut based I expected it to be sweet and, of course, taste like coconut milk!

And indeed that is exactly how it tasted! It was fairly sweet, velvety in texture with a hint of sharpness and tanginess. Its consistency was thick and very, very creamy. As expected, it left a slight coconut aftertaste, like the you’ve drunk coconut milk.

What really impressed me with the Alpro Greek Style coconut yogurt was its color. It was bright white, much whiter than all the rest, including the original Greek Yogurt! 

Finally, while I loved its taste, it would not be suitable for a savoury dip, like my vegan tzatziki sauce. However, its deliciously creamy texture and sweetness would work amazingly well with some chopped up fruit as a light dessert

Vegan tzatziki tesco free from soy yoghurt

And lastly – Tesco’s Free From Soy vegan yogurt

I must admit, I was disappointed when tasting Tesco’s Free From Soy vegan yogurt. Being soy based, I was expecting a neutral flavor that could be a good alternative to the Oatly and similar to the original Greek yogurt. 

However, I was disappointed. Firstly, its consistency was very watery and not creamy at all. Texture wise, from the ones I’ve tested, it resembled the original strained Greek yogurt the least.

Looking at the nutritional label, that shouldn’t come as a surprise. It has the least amount of fat among all of the vegan yogurts I tested.

Secondly, its taste had a strong hint of soy coming through with a very little sharpness and tanginess. While it had no hint of sweetness, it also left a weird aftertaste that felt very artificial.

Unfortunately this yogurt would not be suitable for a vegan tzatziki. Also due to its odd aftertaste I could not imagine myself using it for a fruit or biscuit based dessert either. 

Vegan tzatziki preparation

How to make a vegan, dairy-free, Tzatziki sauce

Making your vegan tzatziki sauce is super simple. Start by pouring the yoghurt in a large bowl. Then, grate your cucumber using a box grater. You don’t need to peel the cucumber – just cut it in half and grate it! 

Tip: The cucumber is quite watery. After you’ve grated it you’ll need to squeeze it with your hands over your sink to remove any excess moisture. When it’s dry, place it in your bowl.

Now let’s peel and press the garlic. Grab a couple of garlic cloves, gently press down on them using your hands and peel them. Then, use your garlic press to squeeze them on your bowl.

Finally, add your olive oil, vinegar, a pinch of salt and some freshly ground pepper and mix it all together. Give your vegan tzatziki a taste and add some more salt if it tastes bland.

If you’d like your dairy-free tzatziki sauce a bit more creamy, add a little bit more olive oil and mix. This is also the time to add any chopped up herbs, if you’re using them. Finally top it off with some olives and chopped up cucumber for some extra crunch!

Vegan tzatziki with crusty bread

Storing your Vegan Tzatziki

To store your vegan tzatziki, wrap your bowl with some cling film (plastic wrap) and pop it in the fridge. It will keep for approximately 4 days. When you want to use it, take it out of the fridge, mix it so any liquids that may have come out are incorporated and serve.

What to serve your Vegan Tzatziki sauce with?

This vegan yogurt sauce is super versatile and goes well with pretty much any savoury dish you can imagine!

I love serving it with some sliced up cucumber and carrots as a simple dip to start our dinner as well as as part of a vegan meze platter and as a side to some delicious Greek vegan dishes.

Below are my top recommendations and serving suggestions!

As part of a Vegan Meze Platter:

As a side dish to a vegan dish:

 

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Vegan tzatziki

Vegan Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (94 votes, average: 4.97 out of 5)
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  • Author: Eli K. Giannopoulos
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 1 bowl
  • Category: Dips
  • Cuisine: Greek
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

This is my ultimate Vegan Tzatziki recipe! Deliciously creamy, refreshing and, best of all, even though its dairy-free, it tastes just like the original!


Ingredients

  • 1 tub of Oatly Oatgurt Greek Style Vegan Yogurt (or similar alternative)
  • 1/2 large cucumber
  • 23 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • a pinch of salt and pepper
  • 1 tsp chopped dill or mint (optional)
  • 1 tbsp black olives


Instructions

  1. To prepare your vegan tzatziki start by pouring the vegan yoghurt in a large bowl.
  2. Wash your cucumber, cut it in half and grate it using a box grater in a second bowl. You don’t need to peel it, just grate it whole. Using your hands, squeeze your cucumber shreds until all the water has come out. Place your dried out cucumber in the yoghurt bowl.
  3. Then, peel your garlic cloves and using a garlic press squash them into your bowl.
  4. Finally add your olive oil, vinegar, a pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper and mix it together using a spoon. Taste your tzatziki and, if it feels bland, add some more salt, mix it and taste it again.
  5. If you’re using any herbs add them now and using your spoon mix your vegan tzatziki again.
  6. Finally top your vegan tzatziki off with some olives, some chopped up cucumber and a drizzle of olive oil.
  7. Enjoy!

Keywords: vegan tzatziki, vegan yogurt sauce, vegan tzatziki sauce, vegan yogurt and cucumber sauce

 

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Marinated Greek Beef Souvlaki Skewers (Beef Kabobs) recipe https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/marinated-greek-beef-souvlaki-skewers-kabobs/ https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/marinated-greek-beef-souvlaki-skewers-kabobs/#comments Wed, 24 Feb 2021 15:40:03 +0000 https://www.mygreekdish.com/?p=258534 Juicy on the inside and perfectly caramelised and smoky on the outside Greek beef souvlaki skewers! All you need to take your Beef kabobs to the next level is a […]

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Juicy on the inside and perfectly caramelised and smoky on the outside Greek beef souvlaki skewers! All you need to take your Beef kabobs to the next level is a simple yet full of Mediterranean flavours marinade. And I have just the perfect one for you!

What is beef Shish kebabs (or kabobs), Kofta kebab and souvlaki (skewers)?

Souvlaki is one of the most popular street food dishes in Greece, served in every taverna and for good reason! There are three ways you can have your skewered meat, but whatever you call them they are always delicious! 

Shish Kebabs (also kabobs) is a Middle Eastern dish where pieces of meat, fish, or vegetables are grilled on a skewer or spit originating in the Middle East and later adopted in Greek cuisine.

While shish kabobs are made with chunks of meat, the second way, kofta kabobs, are made with minced meat formed into oblong shaped meatballs and threaded on a skewer.

Finally in Greece kabobs are called “souvlaki” or “skewers” (kalamaki) which means any type of diced meat threaded on a skewer. They are one of the brightest examples of the influence of the Turkish cuisine in many popular Greek dishes.

Marinated Greek Beef Souvlaki Skewers (Beef Kabobs) recipe

Greek Marinade for Beef skewers souvlaki (Beef kabobs)

If you’re making your Beef skewers (Kabobs) without marinading them first you must start doing so! Marinading the kabobs helps tenderise the meat and infuses all the flavours deep inside it.

The marinade I use for these Beef souvlaki skewers (kabobs) is full of Greek flavours. Extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and oregano are combined perfectly with honey, hot paprika, ground black and pink pepper. Pink pepper can be a bit tricky to source on its own, but most supermarkets have black and pink peppercorn mixes for you to buy!

What I love the most about this marinade is the combination of freshness from the thyme and lemon zest together with the spice of the mixed ground peppercorns and hot paprika. Moreover, the acidity of the lemon juice is perfectly balanced with the sweetness of honey. This acidity also helps tenderise the meat. Lemon juice will penetrate the beef giving that extra juiciness you’re looking for.

Finally the honey will give that incredible caramelisation on the outside of the Beef Kabobs, but be careful to use it in moderation. Adding too much honey in the marinade will give your kabobs an almost burnt exterior before the inside of the kabob is cooked through.

Tip: I strongly recommend that you marinade the beef overnight, but if you don’t have the time, then marinade for at least one hour in the fridge.

Marinade for Greek Beef Souvlaki Skewers (Beef Kabobs)

What cuts of beef work best for Beef souvlaki skewers (Kabobs) ?

A lot of readers ask me about choosing the right kind of cuts to make beef souvlaki. The answer is quite simple. One of the best options would be fillet mignon, as it is really tender. Ribeye and porterhouse are also great cuts for beef skewers. These cuts of beef won’t even require marinating overnight. Thirty minutes will be enough to soak up all the wonderful flavours.

But the truth is that souvlaki is more of an everyday street food, so personally I prefer to keep that filet for more special occasions as it is a little pricy. My choice would be top sirloin chunks.

Ask your butcher to cut the beef to save you some time and effort. Don’t forget to cut the beef against the grain in order for your cooked meat to be tender and not chewy. Finally cut the beef in 3-4 cm (1.5 inch) equal cubes. This will help the kabobs cook throughout without burning on the outside.

Marinated Greek Beef Souvlaki Skewers (Beef Kabobs) ready to grill

Tips for the best Greek Beef Souvlaki Skewers (Beef Kabobs)

  • First of all, marinade the meat to help tenderise and soak up all the wonderful flavours. Marinade overnight if possible.
  • When threading the beef kabobs it is important not to smush everything tightly together. Thread the pieces of beef and veggies loosely so that everything can cook more evenly. If you thread them tightly, the veggies will remain raw in the middle.
  • Cut the veggies approximately the same size as the beef to help them caramelise and cook through. Drizzle them with some olive oil and season with salt and freshly ground pepper.
  • Use wooden skewers to thread the pieces of beef. Soak the skewers in water before threading to avoid burning them on the edges. Make sure the skewers you use fit your griddle pan. If your pieces of beef are quite big, then you could thread each kabob with 2 skewers. This will help you handle them a bit easier. 
  • To the beef souvlaki skewers, the best option is to grill them on a char-coal barbecue. This will make them all crispy and smokey. However, if barbecue season hasn’t arrived yet, they will also cook great on a griddle pan.

Grilling Greek Beef Souvlaki Skewers (Beef Kabobs)

How to serve Greek beef skewers (kabobs)

My personal favourite is to enjoy the beef kabobs with some extra garlicky tzatziki sauce, pita breads and a nice refreshing Greek feta salad. For a hearty meal you can serve with Greek fries or basmati rice.

Buying the original Greek pita breads can be quite challenging if you don’t live in Greece. If you are lucky to live near a Greek deli give them a try. However nothing compares to homemade, so you can also make your own homemade pita bread with this super easy recipe.

Another delicious way to serve this Beef kebab recipe is with roast peppers and tomatoes and a full spoon of yogurt seasoned with a pinch of paprika, salt, pepper and lemon zest. All you have to to do is grill the peppers and tomatoes on the same gridle pan over high heat to get them coloured and softened.

Love souvlaki? These delicious recipes are for you!

If you love Greek souvlaki as much as I do then these recipes are made for you! Give them a try and let me know what you think!

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Marinated Greek Beef Souvlaki Skewers (Beef Kabobs) recipe

Marinated Greek Beef Souvlaki Skewers (Beef Kabobs) recipe

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (732 votes, average: 4.63 out of 5)
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  • Author: Eli K. Giannopoulos
  • Prep Time: 10 min (plus marinade)
  • Cook Time: 15 min
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 9-10 skewers
  • Category: Main
  • Method: Grill
  • Cuisine: Greek

Description

Juicy, caramelised and smoky Greek beef souvlaki skewers recipe! Take your Beef kabobs to the next level with this simple flavourful marinade.


Ingredients

For the Beef Souvlaki & marinade

  • 1 kg top sirloin beef cut in chunks (35 oz.)
  • 2 tsps mustard 
  • 12 tsps honey 
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • zest of 1 lemon 
  • 1/2 tsp hot paprika 
  • 6 tbsps olive oil 
  • salt to taste
  • freshly ground black and pink peppercorns (to taste)
  • 1 tsp dried oregano 
  • 2 tsps fresh thyme 
  • 1 clove of garlic, minced

For assembling the beef skewers

  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • salt and pepper
  • 910 wooden skewers


Instructions

  1. To prepare this Greek beef souvlaki recipe, cut the beef into equal sized (3 cm/1 inch) cubes and set aside.
  2. Prepare the marinade for the beef kabobs. In a large bowl add all the ingredients for the marinade and the meat and blend to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let them marinade for at least 1 hour in the fridge. Preferably leave them to marinade overnight so they soak up even more all those wonderful flavours.
  3. When you are ready to cook the kabobs, prepare the vegetables. Cut the peppers and onion into 3-3.5 cm equal wide squares. Place them in a bowl, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil and season with salt and ground pepper.
  4. For this Beef souvlaki recipe, you will need about 9-10 wooden skewers, depending on how big you want them to be. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water to prevent them from burning. And make sure to cut the tip so it fits your grill pan!
  5. Thread the chunks of beef comfortably, on the skewers. Use 1 piece of pepper and 1 piece of onion between each piece of meat.
  6. Brush the kabobs lightly with the remaining marinade and drizzle with olive oil.
  7. Heat a large grill pan over high heat. Add 1 tbsp oil and cook the kabobs in batches for about 8 minutes. 2 minutes on each side until nicely coloured and cooked through. (Baste with olive oil as you go.)
  8. Place the beef skewers on a plate, cover with foil and let them rest for 3-4 minutes before serving.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 skewer
  • Calories: 260kcal
  • Sugar: 2.9g
  • Sodium: 614mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.1g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 6g
  • Fiber: 1.1g
  • Protein: 25.4g
  • Cholesterol: 65.7mg

Keywords: beef kabobs recipe, greek beef skewers, marinated beef kebabs, beef souvlaki, greek marinade for beef souvlaki 

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Talatouri recipe (Cypriot tzatziki sauce with mint) https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/talatouri-recipe-cypriot-tzatziki-sauce-with-mint/ https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/talatouri-recipe-cypriot-tzatziki-sauce-with-mint/#comments Fri, 23 Nov 2018 10:29:49 +0000 https://www.mygreekdish.com/?p=94333 Mint or no mint? Everyday we receive messages from our readers, asking if the traditional Tzatziki recipe is using mint or not, and if lemon juice or vinegar. So we decided to write about this traditional Cypriot dip, that is called Talatouri, which is also a yogurt based sauce very similar to Greek tzatziki.

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The perfect traditional Cypriot Talatouri sauce recipe! Talatouri sauce, is a traditional Cypriot dip, that is known and loved around the world. Velvet, thick and rich, talatouri is the ideal match for grilled meat! 

It is commonly served as part of a meze platter together with some tzatziki, hummus, taramasalata, Skordalia, melitzanosalata (aubergine dip), tirokafteri (spicy feta cheese dip), fava (Yellow Split Peas Puree) and some delicious beef meatballs and lamb meatballs. Of course also by itself, with warm crusted bread or pita bread.

Cypriot Talatouri sauce recipe – Mint or no Mint?

Everyday we receive messages from our readers, asking if the traditional Tzatziki recipe is using mint or not, and if lemon juice or vinegar. So we decided to write about this traditional Cypriot dip, that is called Talatouri, which is also a yogurt based sauce very similar to Greek tzatziki.

The traditional Cypriot Talatouri recipe is made with fresh or dry mint and lemon juice instead of vinegar. These are the main differences from the Greek version of Tzatziki sauce, but we love them both! Hope you enjoy it!

Cypriot Talatouri sauce recipe – Tips to achieve the perfect texture

Talatouri is a classic yogurt, garlic and cucumber sauce. It is a very simple and easy recipe, but in order to achieve the perfect texture you have to pay attention to the details.

The main ingredients for this traditional Cypriot Talatouri sauce recipe are plenty of garlic and creamy thick Greek yogurt. If you like garlic then this is definitely a recipe made for you and if you are not afraid of the smell use a little extra… Your tastebuds will thank you!

Probably the most important part when making a Cypriot Talatouri sauce recipe is the preparation of the cucumber. You need to use seedless cucumber or if you are using a seeded one, make sure to remove the seeds. Cucumber seeds bring along a little too much moisture in the Talatouri sauce, so their texture is not what we are looking for.

Grate the cucumber, using the large holes of the grater and dry it really well. We want to remove as much of the moisture of the pulp as possible, so that the Talatouri remains creamy.

When preparing this traditional Cypriot Talatouri recipe, it is very important to use the garlic minced or grated (not chopped) in order to avoid lumps and a mouthful of garlic..

For that perfect velvet and rich texture make sure to use Greek strained yogurt, as it is smoother and creamier than other yogurts and make sure to use it cold. Find out how to make Greek yogurt from scratch with my super easy recipe!

Enjoy this authentic Cypriot Talatouri sauce recipe with a juicy souvlaki or with some warm pita breads! And if you are a vegan, take a look at my vegan tzatziki sauce recipe, where I take you through the best yogurts to use as well as how to make it so it tastes just like the original!

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Talatouri recipe (Cypriot tzatziki sauce with mint)

Talatouri recipe (Cypriot tzatziki sauce with mint)

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (482 votes, average: 4.87 out of 5)
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  • Author: Eli K. Giannopoulos
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 0 min
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 3 cups
  • Category: Dips
  • Cuisine: Cypriot

Description

Mint or no mint? Everyday we receive messages from our readers, asking if the traditional Tzatziki recipe is using mint or not, and if lemon juice or vinegar. So we decided to write about this traditional Cypriot dip, that is called Talatouri, which is also a yogurt based sauce very similar to Greek tzatziki.


Ingredients

  • 1 cucumber
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1/4 of a cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 500g strained Greek yogurt (18 ounces)
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • 23 tbsp chopped fresh mint
  • a pinch of salt


Instructions

  1. To prepare this traditional Cypriot talatouri sauce recipe, remove the skin and the seeds of the cucumber and grate it into a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper and leave aside for 10 minutes.
  2. Wrap the grated cucumber in a towel and squeeze, in order to get rid of the excess water.
  3. Assemble the Talatouri sauce. In a bowl, add the cucumber, the minced garlic and olive oil, the yogurt, juice of 1 lemon, mint, a pinch of salt and blend, until the ingredients are combined. Store in the fridge and always serve cold. (Alternatively, if you have a blender, pour in the olive oil and garlic and blend until combined. Then mix with the rest of the ingredients using a spoon. This will help the garlic to mix better with the rest of the ingredients).
  4. Prepare this traditional Talatouri sauce for your friends and family and serve as a delicious dip with some warm pita breads aside, or as a sauce for Greek-style souvlaki. Enjoy!


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 tbsps
  • Calories: 86kcal
  • Sugar: 2.2g
  • Sodium: 209.3mg
  • Fat: 6.8g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4.9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 3.1g
  • Fiber: 0.2g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 5.4mg

Keywords: Talatouri, Tzatziki with Mint, Cypriot Tzatziki Recipe

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Homemade Baked Greek Fries recipe with feta cheese https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/homemade-baked-greek-fries-recipe-with-feta-cheese/ https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/homemade-baked-greek-fries-recipe-with-feta-cheese/#comments Sat, 06 Feb 2016 11:44:27 +0000 https://www.mygreekdish.com/?p=8749 Bored of your usual fries? Then this extra crispy, extra golden and super delicious Greek homemade Greek fries recipe will surely become your newest favorite! A super simple recipe that will elevate your usual chips to a whole new level!

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Extra crispy, extra golden and extra delicious! These Greek homemade Greek fries recipe will surely become your newest favorite! A super simple recipe that will elevate your usual chips to a whole new level!

It all started when I was in the process of making a Greek feast with friends and family. Greek salad was ready, and so were the gyros and pitas. The smell of the souvlaki grilling was making everybody super hungry. But something was missing.. Fries! Some good old fashioned fries would be good enough but not today!

So I went ahead and made these delicious Greek fries with a twist!! What makes these fries “Greek”? Well nothing else than the earthy flavors used for the topping and seasoning; Greek ingredients that you will find in every mom’s kitchen. So let’s get started!

Greek fries recipe – Fried vs. baked

To prepare this Greek fries (chips) recipe you can either fry the potatoes or go healthier and bake them in the oven. Baking the potatoes may be a little more time consuming but is much healthier and if you bake them the right way they will truly reward you.

If you choose to bake your Greek fries try spreading some olive oil in the baking tray and pre-heat it in the oven, before adding the potatoes. This will stop the potatoes from sticking on the baking tray, which is a very common pitfall for when preparing baked fries. Also make sure to coat the potatoes well with olive oil to help them get that golden, crispy texture.

If you choose to fry your Greek fries they will be a little less healthy but equally (or even more) delicious! You can fry them once or double fry them for crispier results.

The secret in my delicious Greek fries recipe is nothing else than the topping! Go and get yourself some good quality Greek feta cheese, which will give them deliciously a bold flavour. Also add some chopped red onions and juicy tomatoes for that extra mediterranean twist.

Those key ingredients are very flavoursome on their own so remember to keep the seasoning sparse with just a sprinkle of dried oregano and a last minute squeeze of a lemon. Be careful if you choose to add extra salt, as feta cheese is already salty enough and remember you can’t undo an over seasoned dish!

So go ahead give this baked Greek fries recipe try and enjoy with some good old fashioned chicken souvlaki aside! Oh and you can always read this delicious recipe in Greek here Τραγανές Πατάτες Τηγανητές Φούρνου

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Homemade Baked Greek Fries recipe with feta cheese

Homemade Baked Greek Fries recipe with feta cheese

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (581 votes, average: 4.85 out of 5)
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  • Author: Eli K. Giannopoulos
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 50 min
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 6 portions
  • Category: Side
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Greek

Description

This extra crispy, extra golden and super delicious Greek homemade Greek fries recipe will surely become your newest favorite! A super simple recipe that will elevate your usual chips to a whole new level!


Ingredients

  • 5 Russet potatoes, cut into strips
  • 150g feta cheese (5 oz.)
  • 1/2 red onion, chopped
  • 1 tomato, diced
  • juice of half a lemon
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • chopped parsley for garnish
  • salt
  • olive oil
  • vegetable oil for frying (optional)


Instructions

  1. To make this super easy Greek fries recipe, start by preparing the potatoes. Wash and peel the potatoes and cut into strips. At first slice the potatoes lengthwise into 1/2 cm (1/4 inch) slices and then cut each slice into strips. Place the potatoes in a large bowl with plenty of water to cover them.
  2. Now it’s time to make a decision. Greek fries can be either fried or baked (for a healthier version).
  3. If you choose to bake your Greek fries, then layer a large baking tray with parchment paper and pour in 2-3 tbsps of olive oil. Place the tray in the oven and preheat at 200C.
  4. As soon as your oven is well preheated, drain and dry the potatoes and remove the baking tray from the oven. Place the potatoes on the baking sheet and season with salt and dried oregano. Toss the potatoes around to get them coated with the oil (add some more oil if necessary) and layer them evenly on the baking sheet.
  5. Bake the potatoes for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on size, until golden and crispy.
  6. For the topping of the Greek fries use crumbled feta cheese, chopped red onions, and chopped tomatoes. Sprinkle with dried oregano and chopped parsley and squeeze over just a little bit lemon juice.
  7. Enjoy your Greek fries while still warm with some gyros and tzatziki sauce!


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 portion
  • Calories: 255kcal
  • Sugar: 3.2g
  • Sodium: 627.2mg
  • Fat: 10.2g
  • Saturated Fat: 4.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5.2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 35.1g
  • Fiber: 2.8g
  • Protein: 7.7g
  • Cholesterol: 22.3mg

Keywords: Greek fries recipe, Greek Fries seasoning, Baked fries with feta

Recipe image gallery:

Homemade Baked Greek Fries recipe with feta cheese

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The easiest homemade Pita Bread recipe! https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/the-easiest-homemade-pita-bread/ https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/the-easiest-homemade-pita-bread/#comments Sat, 11 Oct 2014 09:00:20 +0000 https://www.mygreekdish.com/?p=856 Our very best homemade pita bread recipe! And the best part, ready to bake in only 10 minutes. Discover all the secrets to bake them to perfection!

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My very best homemade pita bread recipe! If you like your pita bread soft, fluffy, and authentic, then this super easy pita bread recipe is made for you!

And if you are wondering if it is worth making pita bread at home, the answer for me is very simple! Nothing compares to the smell of some fragrant, warm, golden brown, fresh, homemade pita bread! Trust me, after you make this easy traditional Greek pitta bread recipe, you will never buy the store version again!

So go ahead, read on to discover my tips and tricks to make this Greek flat bread to perfection, my video showing you how to make it, my delicious whole-wheat pita bread variation, my no knead bread machine shortcut, my tips on how to prepare in advance and store them and of course the recipe!

Easy homemade Pita Bread recipe

Homemade Pita bread recipe – A traditional Greek delight

Pita bread (from Greek: πίτα) is a Greek flatbread that is a staple of countless Greek dishes. It is a firm favorite to serve with any assortment of meze’s and dips and spreads, like melitzanosalata, fava, feta cheese dip, tzatziki, hummus, vegan tzatziki sauce and many others.

Together with Moussaka and the vegan moussaka with lentils, Greek Pita bread is one of the most well-known Greek dishes! Where from? Look no further than souvlaki, the most popular Greek street food!

Souvlaki is nothing else than a pita bread sandwich, stuffed with a meat of your choice, a deliciously creamy tzatziki sauce, fresh, juicy tomatoes and zingy onion slices.

You’ll most commonly find Greek Pita breads served as a chicken souvlaki, pork souvlaki, beef souvlaki or lamb souvlaki, or even filled with some delicious lamb kofta kebab.

Also of course with the gyros variations, like pork gyros and chicken gyros, which is meat cut off in chunks from a spit. Who can really resist?

Traditional Greek Pita Bread Key Preparation Steps and Tips

Greek pitta bread is a very simple dish to prepare. In a nutshell, Greek pita is a plain, non-enriched dough which is left to proof and then pan fried in a skillet until fluffy and golden brown.

So, my very simple, step-by-step Greek pita bread recipe is summarised in the below three key steps:

  1. Prepare your pitta bread dough
  2. Shape your pita breads
  3. Cook them in your skillet

How to prepare your pita bread dough

A traditional Greek pita flat bread dough only needs 4 ingredients to make and the whole process is really simple. So lets get started!

Start by preparing your yeast: Dissolve your yeast in a bowl with the water and sugar and wait for it to froth. There are two reasons for this.

Firstly, and most importantly, it’s a great test to make sure the yeast is fresh and active and will get your pitta flat bread all nice and fluffy. Secondly, its ready to go and full of action when it’s mixed with the flour!

Greek Pita bread dough proofing

Knead your pita bread dough: Pour in your yeast mixture, flour and salt in a bowl and use your hands or a stand mixer to knead until its soft, elastic and a bit sticky.

If you find your dough being too sticky, before adding any extra flour, let the dough rest for 15-20 minutes and try handling it again. This will let the gluten in your pitta bread dough relax and make it easier to handle.

If your dough is still too sticky to handle, then add a couple of tablespoons of flour and knead for a bit longer.

Greek Pita bread dough balls

Let it rest in a warm place: Coat your dough with some oil to prevent it from drying out and then cover your bowl with a kitchen towel and some cling film and let it rest in a warm place. Your dough is ready when it has doubled in size. 

If your home is a bit on the cold side, you can accelerate the proofing by putting your dough in your oven pre-heated to 40C/100F or with the oven light on only. This will kick start your yeast and make it proof faster.

Pita bread dough second proof

Split into portions and get ready to shape: After your dough is done rising, it’s time to shape your Pita breads. Gently deflate your dough, split into evenly sized portions, and shape them into some nicely tight balls.

I use my kitchen scale to make sure I get 6 evenly sized balls out of my dough! Finally, let it rest for 15 minutes before shaping. This will relax the gluten and make your pita breads easier to spread and hold their shape.

How to shape your Greek pita bread

There are two tips that make all the difference when shaping your pita breads – rolling them out in evenly sized round disks and poking them with your fingers or a fork like a focaccia!

Shaping your pitta bread: Firstly, shape your pita bread in an even 20cm / 8-inch-wide disk. You can use your hands or a rolling pin to shape your pitas.

Using a rolling pin will result in a slightly crunchier pitta as the air is partially knocked out of the dough. On the other hand, using your hands to stretch it like a pizza base will result in more air in the dough and a fluffier pita bread

If the dough springs back, let it rest for a few minutes and try again – its gluten just needs some time to rest.
Greek Pita Bread proofed and shaped
Poking the all-important holes: What visually distinguishes a Greek pita bread from a traditional flatbread are its dimples! They help create pockets of fluffiness and areas where the pita is crunchier as well as create space for your dips to sit in when served! So, go ahead and poke some dimples by pressing down firmly with your fingers or with the back of a fork!

How to cook your Greek pitta bread

The best way to cook your traditional Greek Pita bread is in a non-stick, heavy pan that comes with a lid. You want the pan to keep its temperature while cooking and its lid to lock the steam in.

There are two ways to cook your pita. The fast way – straight in the pan, or the slow but fluffier way, with steam in the pan.

For the fast way, you’ll need to:

  1. Preheat your pan on medium heat: You don’t want your pitta to cook too quickly on the outside so make sure the pan is not too hot!
  2. Use a little bit of olive oil: Don’t overdo it. Just a splash is enough! Use a kitchen towel to wipe the pan down if you’ve added too much.
  3. Use your pan’s lid! Cover the pan to lock the steam in the pan. This will make the pita bread very soft and fluffy while also giving it a delicious, caramelised crust!

Greek Pita Bread cooking in a skillet

For the fluffier but slower way you’ll be using some steam! If you want an even fluffier pita bread, cut some aluminium foil in a round disk the size of your skillet, spread a generous sprinkle of olive oil on it, so the pita doesn’t stick to it and place your pita on it. 

In your hot pan, add a splash of water and immediately place the aluminum foil with your pita on top of it and cover with your lid. The steam will allow your pita bread to slowly rise and steam cook.
Greek Pita Bread cooked with steam in a pan

Let it cook for ~12 minutes at medium-low heat before taking the lid off and turning your pita over to cook on the other side. Don’t lift it a moment sooner than 12 minutes as your pita will deflate!

You want to steam your pitta bread long enough for the dough around the air pockets to solidify, so when you take it out the shock from the cold air doesn’t pop them. 

If your first pitta does deflate just let your second one cook for an extra 2-3 minutes and it will turn out to be perfect!

Whole wheat pita bread

If you want a healthier variation, you can make your Greek pita bread with whole wheat flour. Use 50% whole wheat flour and 50% bread flour and follow the same recipe for the rest.

The whole wheat flour will add a nuttier flavour to your pitta while at the same time making it healthier to eat!

No knead Pitta bread using a bread machine

Ever since I bought my bread machine it has been my go-to device for making pitta bread. Not only does it remove the hassle of kneading, but it also lets my pitta dough proof at the right temperature without me needing to monitor it.

To make your no knead pita bread in a bread machine, simply add all the pita bread ingredients in the pan in this order: salt, sugar, flour, yeast, water.

The salt needs to be as far away from the yeast as possible, so it doesn’t stop it from activating. So, add your salt and sugar first and then your flour which acts as a buffer between the two.

Pita bread in bread machine

After you’ve added your ingredients, set your bread machine to the basic dough cycle, and let it do its thing. Once it’s done, let the pitta dough proof in your bread machine for about 20-30 minutes or until doubled in size. Then proceed to shape and bake as per the recipe!

Making Greek Pita breads ahead of time

No one knows when a bunch of pitas may come in handy! Luckily, you can make your pita breads and store them in the freezer and serve them at a moment’s notice!

Cook the pita breads and let them cool down completely. Place them in ziplock bags squeezing the air out. When you want to serve, sprinkle with some olive oil, salt and dried oregano and heat them up in the oven for about 10-15 minutes straight from frozen. There is no need to thaw them! They will keep in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

If you have pita breads that you haven’t consumed right away, you can also store them in an airtight bag the fridge. They will keep for around 3 days. To serve, just lightly brush with olive oil, sprinkle with a pinch of salt and dried oregano and heat them in the oven for a few minutes.

Greek Pita Bread prepared in a bread machine

What to eat pita bread with?

Pita breads and souvlaki are a match made in heaven! So go ahead and indulge yourself with my favourite recipes below:

  1. Lamb souvlaki
  2. Pork souvlaki
  3. Chicken souvlaki
  4. Beef souvlaki
  5. Lamb kofta kebab
  6. Pork gyros
  7. Chicken gyros

Also I absolutely love to cut up my pitas in quarters and dip them in some delicious home made dips! These are my favourite dips for you to try!

  1. Spicy feta cheese dip (tirokafteri)
  2. Aubergine dip (Melitzanosalata)
  3. Tzatziki
  4. Hummus 

So go ahead give this homemade pita bread recipe a try! Enjoy!

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Easiest homemade Pita Bread recipe

The easiest homemade Pita Bread recipe!

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (1,430 votes, average: 4.74 out of 5)
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  • Author: Eli K. Giannopoulos
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 min
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 pita breads
  • Category: Breads
  • Method: Fried
  • Cuisine: Greek
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

The very best homemade Greek pita bread recipe! And the best part, made with only 4 ingredients. Find out how to bake them to perfection with this super easy recipe.


Ingredients

  • 500530g (17-18.5 oz.) strong white bread flour or 50% white and 50% whole-wheat flour
  • 360g (12.7 oz.) lukewarm (40C/ 104F)
  • 3 tsp dry instant yeast
  • 1 tsp salt 
  • 1 tsp sugar 


Instructions

  1. To prepare this pitta bread recipe add in a mixer’s bowl the yeast, sugar and water and blend to dissolve the yeast. Set aside for 5-10 minutes until yeast froths.
  2. Add the flour and salt and mix using the dough hook for 6-8 minutes.  Alternatively you could mix the ingredients by hand. 
  3. Depending on the flour used, the dough may need a little bit less or more flour than this pita bread recipe calls for. After mixing for a while the dough for your pita bread should become an elastic ball and a bit sticky.
  4. When ready, coat the dough with olive oil, place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel. Let it sit in a warm place, for at least 20 minutes or until it doubles its size. This is an important step for this pita bread recipe. The first proof makes the pita bread fluffy and soft. If it is winter, turn the oven on for a minute or two, until it’s a little warm, switch it off and then let the dough rise in it.
  5. Take the dough out of the bowl and gently deflate with your hands. Use just a tiny bit of flour to help you if it is too sticky. Split into 6 evenly sized balls around145g/ 5 oz. each.
  6. Let the pita bread balls rest for 15 minutes before shaping. This is the second proof and will allow your dough to relax and become easier to shape.
  7. To form the pita bread, you can either use a rolling pin, or stretch it with your hands, about 20cm in diameter. A rolling pin will make a crunchier pita, while hand stretching a softer, fluffier one. If the dough springs back, set it aside for a few minutes to rest and then continue rolling again.
  8. For a more traditional look on your pita bread, press the dough firmly with your fingertips forming dimples or use a fork to make some holes on top.
  9. For a faster baked pita, heat a non-sticking frying pan to medium heat and add just a little bit of olive oil and wipe off any excess. Bake each pita bread for about 3 minutes on each side, until slightly coloured and still soft. If your pan has a lid, place the lid on while baking them to keep the moisture in.
  10. For a fluffier pita use the steam method. Cut a piece of aluminium foil to the size of your pan. Generously sprinkle and spread some olive oil on it. Shape and place your pita on the foil. Pour a large glug of water in your plan over medium low heat – it should start steaming immediately! Place your pita immediately in it and cover with the lid. Let it steam for 12-15 minutes. Take it out, flip it over and cook for another 2-3 minutes on the foil.
  11. To give it more colour, when you flip your pita bread, push it lightly with a wooden spoon on the pan.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 pita
  • Calories: 308kcal
  • Sugar: 0.2g
  • Sodium: 4.7mg
  • Fat: 0.9g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.1g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 64.1g
  • Fiber: 2.6g
  • Protein: 9.1g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: Pita Bread recipe, Easy Homemade Pitta Bread

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Best homemade Hamburger Buns recipe! https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/best-homemade-hamburger-buns-recipe/ https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/best-homemade-hamburger-buns-recipe/#comments Sat, 23 Aug 2014 12:51:56 +0000 https://www.mygreekdish.com/?p=7765 These lovely homemade hamburger buns will definitely become the talk of your next barbecue! Fresh, fluffy with a wonderful golden brown semi-soft crust.. This is our very best homemade hamburger buns recipe, which after you try, you will never go for the store version again!

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These lovely homemade hamburger buns will definitely become the talk of your next barbecue! Fresh, fluffy with a wonderful golden brown semi-soft crust. This is my very best homemade hamburger buns recipe, and I can guarantee you will never go for the store version again!

So, if your hot and juicy bifteki needs a fluffy, soft and crunchy companion, you have just found it. Give this super easy homemade hamburger buns recipe a try and you will realise that there are no homemade burgers without homemade hamburger buns!

And of course the perfect bun needs the perfect burger! My personal favourites are these delicious Greek Bifteki (Baked beef patties) with lemon potatoes, greek burgers stuffed with feta cheese, burgers layered with feta cheese and of course my delicious lamb kofta (Giaourtlou).

Homemade Hamburger buns recipe – How to make the perfect dough

If you have ever tried making your own homemade hamburger buns before it is possible that you have faced the disappointment of a heavy, bland bread, which despite your efforts didn’t look or taste like a hamburger bun.. You’re not alone!

It is a common secret, that making your own homemade hamburger buns is quite challenging. But experience has shown me, that it’s all about having the right recipe. After a lot of experimenting I was more than excited to finally come up with a recipe for homemade hamburger buns which wasn’t just decent, but better than the store bought version!

The secret for the best homemade hamburger buns lies in the rising, which means that the right temperature is key. Once starting to prepare this homemade hamburger buns recipe, make sure that all ingredients are at room temperature before using and lukewarm when added in the mixture; this will guarantee that your dough will rise.

One can find many quick 40-minute versions of making homemade hamburger buns, but I strongly recommend to go all the way and dedicate some more time.

This homemade hamburger buns recipe can be summarised in 5 key stages: mix, rise, shape, rise and bake. Give the dough time to rise and it will reward you with its distinctive air-y fluffiness. Once the dough has risen, handle it gently with your hands and try not to overwork it.

The most common mistake for the ones that haven’t tried making homemade hamburger buns before is that once the dough is mixed, it resembles a little sticky, so most just add more flour, which result your hamburger buns to lose their fluffiness. It’s always better to go for a little bit more sticky than firm and tough.

Tip: So be careful to add more flour than this homemade hamburger buns recipe calls for only in case the dough is very sticky after mixing for 10 minutes.

For the topping you could either go with egg wash or melted butter. The egg wash helps the sesame seeds stick better and gives a more crusty and darker golden brown top, while the melted butter gives a nice buttery flavour, mild golden colour and softer crust. Both are delicious, so it’s up to you. Just don’t forget to garnish your homemade burger buns with sesame seeds for extra crunchiness and flavour. Enjoy!

So go ahead try out this is no-fail homemade hamburger buns recipe and succeed on your first time!

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Homemade Hamburger Buns recipe

Best homemade Hamburger Buns recipe!

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  • Author: Eli K. Giannopoulos
  • Prep Time: 180 min
  • Cook Time: 15 min
  • Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 burger buns
  • Category: Breads
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Greek

Description

These lovely homemade hamburger buns will definitely become the talk of your next barbecue! Fresh, fluffy with a wonderful golden brown semi-soft crust.. This is our very best homemade hamburger buns recipe, which after you try, you will never go for the store version again!


Ingredients

For the burger buns

  • 250ml warm water
  • 1 package dry active yeast (8g/0.28 oz.)
  • 1 egg
  • 3 tbsps melted butter
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3 tbsps sugar
  • 520550g all-purpose flour (18.519.5 oz.)

For the topping

  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp milk
  • (or 75g/2.65 oz. melted butter)
  • sesame seeds


Instructions

  1. To prepare this homemade hamburger buns recipe, start by making the dough. Add in the mixer’s bowl the yeast, the warm water and 50g flour (5 tbsps). Using a hand whisk, whisk all the ingredients to form a batter. Wrap the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside for 6-7 minutes, until the yeast rises and starts bubbling. Be careful not do add hot water, as it will kill the yeast, nor cold, as it will take forever for your hamburger buns to rise. The water should be at the same temperature as your finger, so check it out sticking one finger in; you should feel no difference in temperature.
  2. In the meantime melt the butter. The key is to melt the butter at very low heat, so that the temperature doesn’t kill the yeast. Remove the pan from the stove and check the temperature. The butter should be at the same temperature as your finger. If it is warmer, leave to cool down for a few minutes and check again.
  3. Pour the butter in the yeast mixture and add the egg and sugar. Whisk to combine. Top with the flour and add the salt.
  4. Using the dough hook mix at first at low speed, until the ingredients start to combine and then mix at medium-high speed for about 10 minutes, until the dough doesn’t stick on the sides of the bowl. At this point the dough should be really soft and a little sticky. (Be careful not to add any more flour than this homemade hamburger buns recipe calls for, as the dough should be really soft and not firm).
  5. Coat lightly the dough with oil and place in a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 2 hours or until doubled in size. If the environment is cold, preheat the oven at 30C, turn it off and place the bowl inside.
  6. Gently deflate the dough and place on a lightly floured working surface. Dust your hands with flour and divide in 8 equal sized pieces (approx. 115 g./4 oz. each). Form each piece into a round shape, gently tucking ends underneath. Gently pat the dough rounds into flat disc shapes about 1.5 cm thick. Arrange the hamburger buns on a large baking tray lined with parchment paper and dust very lightly with flour. Drape some plastic wrap over the baking sheet and let rise for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  7. Preheat the oven to 180C and beat the egg and milk in a small bowl. Lightly brush the top of each hamburger bun with the egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake in preheated oven for about 16-17 minutes until nicely coloured. Place the hamburger buns on a rack to cool down completely before cutting and store in airtight container for 1-2 days.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bun
  • Calories: 304kcal
  • Sugar: 4.9g
  • Sodium: 446.8mg
  • Fat: 5.6g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 54.8g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 7.9g
  • Cholesterol: 31.9mg

Keywords: Homemade Burger Buns

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Homemade Hamburger Buns recipe

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