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 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.

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 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Other delicious chicken recipes

• Chicken souvlaki 
• Giouvetsi kotopoulo (Greek orzo and chicken)
• Lemony Greek rice pilaf with chicken legs 
• Greek chicken pie (kotopita)
• Greek lemon chicken and potatoes (kotopoulo lemonato)
• Homemade Greek chicken gyro 
• Greek lemon chicken soup (Kotosoupa Avgolemono)

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

Greek marinade for chicken

(19 votes, average: 4.37 out of 5)
Loading...

• 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

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

---

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)

---

Similar recipes you may like!

• 

  Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes…

• 

  Crispy Greek Chicken Casserole…

• 

  Greek Chicken Souvlaki recipe…

• 

  Homemade Greek Chicken Gyro recipe

---

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

The post Greek Marinade for Chicken with Yogurt appeared first on My Greek Dish.

This classic Greek dish combines thin slices of marinated beef with an array of flavorful toppings to create a tantalizing combination of textures and flavors!

So grab your ingredients and get ready to make the best pan fried beef gyro just like served in your favorite Greek taverns!

What is Beef Gyro?

Beef gyros is a delicious Greek street food that is easy to prepare and perfect for any time of the day! Ok except maybe breakfast..

Slices of beef are marinated in a combination of spices and grilled to perfection. The juicy meat is then stuffed inside a warm pita bread with a variety of toppings such as tomatoes, onions, fries, lettuce and tzatziki sauce. 

The resulting combination of flavors and textures is nothing short of mouthwatering. Whether you are a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this pan fried Greek beef gyro is a fantastic way to impress your guests and satisfy your cravings for delicious, homemade food!

• Easy to make: This is a really simple recipe that doesn’t require any special equipment
• Cooks in 20 minutes: There’s a bit of preparation needed, but cooking time is only 20 minutes

What you’ll need to make Beef Gyro souvlaki the traditional way

If you want to make authentic Greek Beef Gyro, you’ll need some key ingredients to get that traditional flavors. Sweet and smoked paprika and dried oregano are essential seasonings for achieving that savory and fragrant taste.

The best way to serve beef gyros is nothing other than wrapped in a delicious traditional Greek pita. Finding the original Greek pita can be quite challenging as most supermarkets stock only the arabian style ones but you can most likely find them at your local Greek deli or amazon (here and here)!  

Or try making your own homemade pita bread with my super easy recipe!

Of course authentic Greek tzatziki is the preferred sauce to garnish with. Most Greeks enjoy their traditional Greek souvlaki with some potato fries stuffed in the pita so feel free to try adding some as well.

With these ingredients on hand, you’ll be well on your way to creating a delicious and authentic Greek meal.

Beef Gyro Key Ingredients

Marinated beef:  You’ll need 500g of beef steak along with juice and zest of a lemon, garlic, dried oregano, salt, runny honey, hot and sweet paprika and some black pepper.

Potato fries (optional): Choose a waxy potato and use oil for cooking them in.

Beef Gyros wrap (souvlaki): To make the beef gyro wrap (souvlaki) you’ll need some pita bread (use our Homemade Pita Bread to make your own), Authentic Greek Tzatziki, red onion, tomatoes and shredded lettuce (optional).

Key Preparation Tips

There are three main steps involved with this Beef gyro recipe:

1. Marinate the beef steak
2. Cook the steak and make the gyros
3. Make the potato fries and assemble the beef gyro wrap (souvlaki)

Beef gyro marinade

To prepare the beef gyro, marinate the beef one day in advance to let the flavours to mingle. In a dish that can fit the steaks in one layer, mix together the lemon juice and zest, crushed garlic, olive oil, dried oregano, salt, honey, paprika, and a generous amount of black pepper.

Rub the marinade into all sides of the beef using your hands. After that, put the beef covered in the fridge and let marinate overnight.

Cook the beef gyro

Heat a non-stick frying pan or seasoned skillet over high heat for a few minutes on each side to cook the beef. If the pan is in danger of burning, reduce the heat slightly. It is important to ensure a caramelized crust.

After removing the pan from the heat, trim off any excess fat and thinly slice the steaks. Before serving, return the slices to the pan and coat them well with the pan juices.

Make the potato fries

To make the potato fries, start by peeling the potatoes and cutting them into strips. Then, toss them in a sieve with a generous amount of salt and let them drain for 20 minutes.

Heat a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over high heat and add enough olive oil to cover the potatoes by a couple of inches. Make sure to leave at least 1/3 of the pan empty to allow the oil to bubble up while cooking.

After the oil starts shimmering, drop a potato strip into the oil to test its temperature. The potato strip should immediately start bubbling and frying if the oil is hot enough to cook.

To cook the potatoes until they turn golden, add the remaining potatoes to the pan and fry them until golden and crispy.

After cooking the fries, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a plate lined with kitchen paper. Then season with salt.

Serve the beef gyro wrapped in pita bread with fries, Tzatziki, red onion, tomatoes, and shredded lettuce.

What’s the best beef to use for beef gyro?

When it comes to making delicious beef gyros, the quality of the meat is important, but you don’t have to break the bank to achieve a great result!

Rather than splurging on expensive cuts, opt for a more affordable option that is still suitable for pan searing and has a good amount of marbled fat. This will ensure that your meat is tender, juicy and flavorful once you marinate it with your favorite spices and herbs.

How do you stop onions from being so sharp?

We’ve all been there – you’re prepping for dinner and slicing an onion when suddenly, the sharp smell overwhelms your senses. It’s no secret that raw onions can pack a punch, but fear not, there’s an easy solution.

Try this trick the next time you cook with onions and taste the difference! Simply soak the slices in a bowl of cold water for at least 20 minutes before draining and patting dry. This will not only remove some of the harshness but also leave the onion crispier and more enjoyable to eat.

Variations

Pan-fried Greek beef gyros is a delicious and flavorful dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Here are some variations you can try:

• Classic Greek beef Gyro Pita wrap: Layer thinly sliced beef in a pita with tzatziki sauce, onion, tomato and fries.
• Beef Gyro Salad: Place sliced beef on a bed of lettuce and add cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese. Dress with tzatziki sauce or Greek vinaigrette.
• Beef Gyro Pizza: Spread pizza dough with tzatziki sauce and top with beef, tomato, onion, and feta cheese.
• Beef Gyro Sliders: Serve small beef gyros on slider buns with onion, tomato, and tzatziki sauce.
• Beef Gyro Nachos: Spread pita chips with tzatziki sauce and top with beef, feta cheese, and diced tomatoes.
• Beef Gyro Omelette: Add sliced beef, feta cheese, and serve your omellete with tzatziki sauce for a Mediterranean twist.
• Gyro fries: Place the fries on a platter, then top with the beef gyro, some tzatziki sauce on top and diced tomatoes and onions.

Tip: To make a lighter version of the the dish replace the potato fries with my homemade version of baked potato fries.

Making ahead of time and storing

To store leftover beef gyro it is best to store every component separately. Wrap the beef separately from the pita and toppings to prevent any sogginess.

Place the beef in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Place the pita and any toppings in separate airtight containers or bags then store the containers or bags in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

When you’re ready to eat the leftovers, reheat the beef in a pan over medium heat until warm. Assemble the gyros by placing the warm beef in the pita, topping with your desired toppings, and adding tzatziki sauce, if desired.

Note that tzatziki sauce should be stored separately from the gyros components and can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.

By storing your gyros components separately and in airtight containers, you can keep them fresh and ready for a delicious and convenient meal later on.

Serving suggestions

In addition to pita bread and tzatziki sauce, there are many delicious sides and accompaniments that you can serve with beef gyros. Here are a few options:

• Greek Salad: A classic side dish with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onion, and feta cheese topped with a Greek vinaigrette.
• Lemon Potatoes: Roasted potatoes tossed with lemon juice, garlic, and oregano for a flavorful side dish.
• Grilled Vegetables: In-season vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant can be grilled or roasted and served with the gyros.
• Pilaf Rice: A fragrant, flavorful side dish made with rice, herbs, and chicken or vegetable broth.
• Greek Fries: French fries coated with lemon juice, feta, and oregano for a Mediterranean twist on a classic side dish.
• Greek potato salad: a simple and delicious combination of potatoes, olive oil, lemon juice, fresh parsley, red onion, garlic, dill and feta cheese.
• Dolmades: Grape leaves stuffed with rice and herbs, served cold as an appetizer or side dish.
• Greek Yogurt: A creamy and tangy side dish, perfect to balance the flavors in the gyros.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. Experiment with different sides and accompaniments to find your favorite combination!

Easy Beef Gyro recipe wrapped in Pita bread

(86 votes, average: 4.93 out of 5)
Loading...

• Author: Eli K. Giannopoulos
• Prep Time: 40 min
• Cook Time: 20 min
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 portions
• Category: Main
• Method: Fried
• Cuisine: Greek

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

---

Description

Make your own traditional Greek souvlaki with beef gyro with this easy to follow recipe and discover what makes this dish the most popular Greek street food!

---

Ingredients

Beef gyro marinade

• juice and zest of 1 lemon
• 2 large garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano 
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp runny honey
• 1/2 tsp sweet smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp hot smoked paprika
• black pepper, to taste
• 500g beef steak

For the potato fries (optional)

• 250g waxy potatoes (9 oz)
• oil
• salt

For the Beef Gyro pita wrap

• 1 x recipe Homemade Pita Bread
• 1/2 x recipe Authentic Greek Tzatziki
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 2 large tomatoes, sliced
• shredded lettuce

---

Similar recipes you may like!

• 

  Vegetable Skewers (Souvlaki)…

• 

  Homemade Greek Chicken Gyro recipe

• 

  Homemade Greek Pork Gyros…

• 

  Pork Souvlaki (Skewers) with…

---

Instructions

Beef Gyro marinade

1. Marinate the steak a day ahead. In a dish just big enough to sit the steaks in a single layer whisk together the juice and zest of the lemon, the garlic cloves, crushed, olive oil, dried oregano, salt, honey, paprika and a good amount of black pepper. Add the steaks and using your hands rub the marinade into all of the exposed meat. Cover and transfer to the fridge to marinate overnight.

For the potato fries

1. If you’re making the fries, peel the potatoes, and cut into strips. Toss in a sieve with a generous amount of salt and set aside to drain for 20 minutes. 
2. Heat a couple of inches of oil in the bottom of a large, heavy bottomed saucepan over a high heat, enough to generously cover the potatoes but allowing at least 1/3 of empty space in the pan to allow the oil to bubble up during cooking. 
3. Once the oil is shimmering, check the oil is hot enough to cook by adding a chip; it should start bubbling and frying instantly. Add the rest to the pan and cook for roughly 10 minutes, until the potatoes are lovely and golden. To make sure they cook evenly, stir occasionally with a long handled slotted spoon, but don’t touch them for the first 5 minutes of cooking time or else they’ll stick to the bottom of the pan. 
4. Once the potatoes are cooked, remove them from the pan with the slotted spoon onto a plate lined with kitchen paper, and season again with salt.

For the Beef Gyro pita wrap (souvlaki)

1. Heat a non-stick frying pan or a seasoned skillet over a high heat and cook the steaks to your liking, a few minutes on each side. Make sure you have a nice caramelised crust, but reduce the heat a little if you’re in danger of getting burnt pieces in the pan.
2. Remove the pan from the heat, and thinly slice the steaks, trimming off any excess fat. Return the slices to the pan and make sure they’re all coated in the pan juices before serving
3. Wrap the beef gyro with the olive oil chips, pita bread, Tzatziki, red onion, tomatoes and shredded lettuce. 
4. To serve, spread some tzatziki sauce on the pita breads and top with the beef gyros, some slices of red onion, some sliced tomato, fries and lettuce and wrap.

---

Keywords: beef gyros recipe, Greek beef gyro, beef gyros marinade, homemade beef gyros, souvlaki gyro

The post Easy Beef Gyro recipe wrapped in Pita bread appeared first on My Greek Dish.

In this post, we’ll discuss two simple methods and recipes for how to cook halloumi cheese using a pan. The first method is grilled halloumi in a grill pan and the second is pan fried halloumi with honey and sesame seeds. Both of which will give you a delicious result each time!

Tip: You could also use an outdoor barbecue to grill halloumi.

What is Halloumi Cheese?

Halloumi cheese is a firm, salty cheese made from sheep and/or goat milk originating in Cyprus. It is a semi-hard and unripened cheese that is tangy and salty.

Halloumi cheese has become increasingly popular in recent years as both an ingredient in Mediterranean dishes and as part of modern fusion cuisine. 

• Traditional cheese: Halloumi cheese comes from Cyprus and is a favorite in Greek recipes.
• Halloumi cheese has a high melting point, so the outside sears and becomes crisp and charred or browned (depending on the cooking method), while the inside is deliciously warm and chewy.

Grilled Halloumi Key Ingredients

Halloumi Cheese: A block of halloumi around 250g or 8 ounces works well for two portions.
Other ingredients: You’ll want some olive oil, juice of half a large lemon and either mixed pepper or black pepper to taste.

Grilled Halloumi Key Preparation Tips

There are just four steps to make simple grilled halloumi:

• Remove the halloumi from the packaging and use some kitchen towel to dry it as much as possible. Cut it into eight pieces.
• Heat a griddle pan to a very high heat. You want your grill pan to be nice and hot before adding the cheese! This helps prevent sticking. Brush each piece of halloumi with olive oil and season.
• Cook for 1-2 minutes on each side. Don’t move it around the pan to create nice brown lines on it.
• Remove from the heat and squeeze over the lemon juice before serving. Enjoy!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

Pan Fried Halloumi with Honey & Sesame Key Ingredients

Halloumi Cheese: Use the same 250g or 8 ounces for this recipe.

For this fried Halloumi recipe, you’ll need olive oil, runny honey, lemon juice, and some sesame seeds.

Tip: Use the best honey you have here as you can really taste the flavour in the finished dish.

Fried Halloumi Key Preparation Tips

To prepare this fried Halloumi remove the cheese from the packaging and use some kitchen towel to dry it, then cut it into eight pieces.

Heat a thick bottom frying pan over medium heat and toast the sesame seeds for around 1 minute until colored. Remove from the pan, making sure you wipe out any stray seeds.

Return the pan to the heat, add oil and heat until shimmering, then add the cheese. Cook on each side for 3-4 minutes until golden.

Spoon the honey over the cheese, then flip and as soon as the honey starts to bubble, remove it from the heat.
Serve with lemon juice drizzled over it, the remaining honey from the pan over it and topped with sesame seeds.

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

Can you use different pepper on the cheese?

Using a mixture of peppercorns, including green and pink on the halloumi adds a variety of different flavors to the cheese. Pink peppercorns work particularly well.

However, regular freshly ground black pepper is a delicious alternative. If you don’t have a grinder for different peppercorns, they can be crushed using a pestle and mortar.

Variations

Instead of pepper or honey and sesame seeds, other variations that can be added to halloumi include garlic, herbs such as oregano or basil, cumin, chili flakes, lemon juice, olive oil and paprika.

Other creative additions could include sautéed mushrooms, grated apple, or even diced tomatoes. Whatever you decide to add to your dish, be sure to balance out the flavors to get the desired taste.

Making ahead of time and storing

Leftover grilled halloumi can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. To store, wrap it tightly in foil or place it in an airtight container. When you’re ready to reheat, put it on a grill or pan over medium heat until heated through.

Alternatively, you can also reheat it in a microwave. Before serving, make sure to check that the halloumi has been heated all the way through.

Serving suggestions

Grilled or fried halloumi can be enjoyed with a variety of Greek appetisers such as:

• Greek Tzatziki (Yogurt, cucumber and garlic dip)
• Keftedes (Greek meatballs)
• Spanakopitakia (Spinach triangles with phyllo)
• Dolmades (Stuffed grape leaves)
• Spetsofai (Spicy greek sausages with peppers)
• Kolokithokeftedes (Greek zuchini fritters)

Popular options include salads (Greek salad) roasted vegetables, couscous, rice, or quinoa. You could also serve fried or grilled halloumi alongside some village bread, pita bread and hummus for a delicious and filling meal.

For something more unique, try serving it with grilled fruit such as peaches, plums, or apricots for a sweet and savory dish. Enjoy!

How to cook Halloumi cheese (Pan fried and Grilled Halloumi recipe)

(51 votes, average: 4.71 out of 5)
Loading...

• Author: Eli K. Giannopoulos
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 2 portions
• Category: Appetizers
• Method: Fried/ Grilled
• Cuisine: Greek

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

---

Description

If you love the taste of halloumi cheese, you’ll be pleased to know that you can cook it in various ways in no time! From pan fried halloumi to grilled halloumi, there are plenty of options for how to cook Halloumi cheese, this delicious Mediterranean cheese!

---

Ingredients

Grilled Halloumi cheese (Grill Pan Method)

• 250g block halloumi cheese (approx. 8 oz)
• extra virgin olive oil
• mixed pepper or black pepper to taste
• juice of 1/2 large lemon

Pan Fried Halloumi with Honey & Sesame

• 1 tsp sesame seeds
• 250g block halloumi cheese (approx. 8 oz)
• 1 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp runny honey
• juice of 1/2 lemon

---

Similar recipes you may like!

• 

  Grilled Halloumi and Roasted…

• 

  Potato Salad (Greek Patatosalata)

• 

  Greek Pasta Salad recipe

• 

  Vegetable Skewers (Souvlaki)…

---

Instructions

Grilled Halloumi cheese (Grill Pan Method)

1. Remove the halloumi from any packaging and pat as dry as possible with a piece of kitchen towel. Slice into 8 pieces (approx. 1/2 inch, 1.3cm thick) and pat each piece dry with a fresh piece of paper.
2. Heat a seasoned or non-stick griddle pan over a very high heat. Meanwhile brush each halloumi piece with olive oil and season well with freshly ground pepper.
3. Cook the cheese for a minute or two on each side, trying not to move it around the pan so it forms nice golden lines.
4. Remove from the heat and squeeze over the lemon juice before serving immediately.

Pan Fried Halloumi with Honey & Sesame

1. Remove the halloumi from any packaging and pat as dry as possible with a piece of kitchen towel. Slice into 8 pieces, and pat each piece dry with a fresh piece of paper.
2. Heat a very bottomed, non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Toast the sesame seeds for about a minute until just coloured, and remove from the pan.
3. Wipe any stray seeds from the pan and return it to a medium high heat. Add the oil and once it is shimmering, add the halloumi. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden.
4. Spoon the honey over the top of the halloumi slices. Flip them, and the moment the honey starts to bubble, remove the pan from the heat. Squeeze over the lemon juice.
5. Serve the halloumi immediately with the honey from the pan drizzled over the top, and the toasted sesame seeds sprinkled over each slice.

---

Keywords: fried halloumi, grilled halloumi, how to cook halloumi cheese

The post How to cook Halloumi cheese (Pan fried and Grilled Halloumi recipe) appeared first on My Greek Dish.

What is Greek Saganaki

“Saganaki” refers to various Greek appetizers, which are prepared in a small, two handled heavy bottomed frying pan, itself called a saganaki or sagani. The most common traditional Greek recipes cooked in that kind of pan include cheese saganaki, mussels saganaki and shrimp saganaki.

How to make traditional Greek feta Saganaki (pan fried feta)

For this feta saganaki recipe you will need just a few ingredients that you already have in your kitchen.

For coating the feta saganaki I am using a very simple egg and flour coating. Just dip the feta cheese inside the beaten egg and then roll into the four. Make sure the feta cheese is coated entirely with the egg and flour.

Tip: You could season the flour with pepper and with spices you fancy, like paprika for that extra kick.

To pan fry feta saganaki you will need some olive oil, enough to cover the bottom of the pan and a bit more. What we are looking for is a nice extra crispy crust and a soft slightly melty interior. Don’t forget to flip the feta saganaki over using a slotted spatula. Just be careful not to break it!!

What feta to use for your Feta Saganaki?

There are many varieties of Feta available to buy at your local supermarket. My personal favourite is a mild, creamy feta, made from 100% sheep’s milk, as its the most traditional one. Plus it is are higher in fat than your typical cow’s or goat’s milk, making it softer and creamier. Also when pan fried, it turns deliciously soft and melty on the inside! 

If you can’t find feta cheese made from pure sheep’s milk, then a blend of sheep and goat milk should be your second choice as it still retains most of that delicious creaminess without being a bit rubbery, like the cow’s milk variety can be.

How to finish and serve your Feta Saganaki?

There are two ways to finish your Feta Saganaki – one is with good squeeze of lemon or alternatively with a drizzle of honey and sprinkled with some sesame seeds. 

Serving your Feta Saganaki with lemon cuts through the greasiness of the oil and makes your Saganaki more refreshing to the taste. But on the other hand, the saltiness of the feta is a perfect match to the sweetness of honey and they complement each other beautifully.

I love both so much that I cannot decide which one I prefer the most so I’ll leave it up to you to pick the one you like best! 

How to Serve Feta Saganaki

Greek Feta Saganaki (pan fried feta) is best served hot while still melty on the inside. Other appetizers that you can serve alongside it are:

Feta Saganaki (Pan fried Feta cheese)

(98 votes, average: 4.67 out of 5)
Loading...

• Author: Eli K. Giannopoulos
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 2 portions
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Fried
• Cuisine: Greek

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

---

Description

Tangy feta cheese melting inside an extra crispy coating and finished with a touch of lemon! A super quick and easy Greek feta saganaki recipe to impress your guests and family, ready in less than 10 minutes!

---

Ingredients

• a block of feta cheese ideally made from 100% sheep’s milk (approx. 190g/ 6.5 oz.)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 tsp of freshly ground pepper
• 40g flour, enough to coat the feta cheese (1.5 oz.)
• olive oil for frying
• 1 lemon
• Alternatively, a tablespoon of honey and sesame seeds

---

Similar recipes you may like!

• 

  Mussels Saganaki recipe (Greek…

• 

  Fried Bread stuffed with Feta…

• 

  Saganaki recipe (Pan-seared…

• 

  Extra Melty Fried Cheese Ball…

---

Instructions

1. To prepare this super easy feta saganaki, start by cutting the feta cheese into 1 block approx. 2cm  or 1 inch thick.
2. Crack the egg into a bowl and whisk it with a fork.
3. In another bowl add the flour and the pepper and using a spoon mix to combine.
4. Dip the feta cheese into the whisked egg and then roll into the flour. You want the feta cheese entirely coated with flour.
5. Pour your oil to the frying pan until it is about 1 cm / 0.5 inch full.
6. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it has reached 180C/350F. If you don’t have a kitchen thermometer, drip a drop of the egg in the pan. If it sizzles immediately your oil is about the right temperature.
7. Fry the feta until nicely coloured. Use a slotted spoon to flip the feta saganaki over carefully, so that it is nicely coloured on both sides. (about 2 minutes each side)
8. When done, place on some kitchen paper to absorb the extra oil.
9. Squeeze a few drops of fresh lemon on top (or the honey and sesame seeds) and serve your feta saganaki while still warm!

---

Keywords: feta saganaki, pan fried feta cheese

The post Feta Saganaki (Pan fried Feta cheese) appeared first on My Greek Dish.

What is a Greek omelette?

This Greek omelette recipe is really easy to prepare and includes simple ingredients, but the taste is really exquisite and fresh. You will love the combination of feta, eggs, tomato and Kalamata olives which will remind you of a Greek salad.

The humble egg plays an important role in Greek diet, as a lot of Greek families outside the urban centres have their own chicken poops in their yards. Omelette in Greek cuisine is not really associated with breakfast but is usually prepared as a quick and easy dinner.

Should you add milk to an omelette?

Adding milk to an omelette is a matter of personal taste, but I would recommend that you leave out any milk or cream. Milk in my experience won’t make your omelette fluffier or creamer. Actually it dilutes the flavor of the eggs and makes them more tough and slimy.

How to make the perfect Greek omelette?

First of all, when preparing a Greek omelette it is very important to use a non stick pan. Even if you do everything right, if your pan isn’t non-stick or if it has many scratches, it is very likely that your omelette will stick on the pan.

Secondly it also important to heat the pan before using it. Heat it medium to high heat and if it is too hot, turn the heat down to medium when you add the eggs and adjust the temperature.

When you make this Greek omelette recipe, start by preparing the ingredients first, so that they are ready to add them when the omelette is cooked. This will help you avoid overcooking the omelette.

To cook the omelette you don’t need to flip it over. Use a rubber spatula or a maryse to drag the omelette towards the one end of the pan and tilt the pan to let the raw eggs fill the empty side. Repeat this process for approx. 1-2 minutes until the eggs are set but the top is still slightly moist. The omelette will continue to cook due to the temperature when you fold it in half.

Add a bit of olive oil (2 tbsps) in the pan instead of vegetable oil for extra flavour. Be sure to use only the flesh of the tomato, so that the omelette doesn’t get mushy. Remove the seeds and all the extra liquid. Also remember that olives can be a bit overpowering, so be careful do add just a few.

So go ahead give this colourful Greek omelette recipe a try and enjoy!

Looking for some more inspiration? Check out my favourite breakfast recipes for Greek style pancakes, Greek sesame bread rings, Greek cheese pies and of course a nice warm cup of Greek coffee .

Greek Omelette recipe with Feta cheese

(452 votes, average: 4.85 out of 5)
Loading...

• Author: Eli K. Giannopoulos
• Prep Time: 5 min
• Cook Time: 5 min
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 2 portions
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Fried
• Cuisine: Greek
• Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

---

Description

Add a mediterannean twist to your plate with this flavourful Greek omelette recipe with feta cheese, black olives and tomato!

---

Ingredients

• 1/2 tomato, chopped into cubes
• 3 black Kalamata olives
• 60g / 2 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
• a pinch dried oregano
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 3 large eggs
• salt and freshly ground pepper
• grated Graviera cheese to garnish

---

Similar recipes you may like!

• 

  Greek Fresh Tomato and Feta Egg…

• 

  Froutalia recipe (Greek Omelette…

• 

  Greek Pasta Salad recipe

• 

  Feta Bouyiourdi recipe (Spicy…

---

Instructions

1. To make this delicious Greek omelette recipe start by preparing the ingredients first.
2. Remove the seeds and extra juice from the tomato and cut the flesh in small cubes. Set aside.
3. Remove the pits from the olives and cut in small pieces. Set aside.
4. Crumble the feta cheese with your hands or using a fork and set side.
5. Crack the eggs in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Beat the eggs with a fork until combined.
6. Heat a small-medium non stick frying pan over medium heat.
7. Add 2 tbsps olive oil and the beaten eggs. Using a spatula, drag the omelette towards the one end of the pan and tilt the pan to let the raw eggs fill the empty side. Repeat this process for approx. 1-2 minutes until the omelette is cooked. (the eggs are set but the top is still slightly moist)
8. Remove the pan from the heat and add the tomato, feta cheese, olives, oregano.
9. Slip the spatula underneath omelette, tip to loosen and gently fold omelette in half. Sprinkle with grated cheese and serve.

---

---

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 portion
• Calories: 318kcal
• Sugar: 2.3g
• Sodium: 1581.2mg
• Fat: 28.1g
• Saturated Fat: 8.9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 3.3g
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Protein: 14g
• Cholesterol: 305.7mg

Keywords: Greek omelette with feta cheese, Greek omelette recipe, greek salad omelette

The post Greek Omelette recipe with Feta cheese appeared first on My Greek Dish.

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

Homemade Baked Greek Fries recipe with feta cheese

(581 votes, average: 4.85 out of 5)
Loading...

• 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

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

---

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)

---

Similar recipes you may like!

• 

  Homemade Feta cheese Pizza recipe

• 

  Spiral-shaped Greek Cheese pie…

• 

  Easy Greek Spinach pie for…

• 

  Greek Style 15 Minute Pita Pizza Recipe!

---

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:

The post Homemade Baked Greek Fries recipe with feta cheese appeared first on My Greek Dish.

Greek Lamb Meatballs recipe – A delicious taste of Greece

Juicy and well seasoned ground lamb, infused with the aromas and flavors of fresh mint, garlic and oregano, garnished with cooling tzatziki sauce, served with delicious crispy and fluffy pita bread. Well, one couldn’t ask for more! 

Although I just love the classic Greek meatballs made with pork and beef, I think you will agree that there is nothing better than the smell and deliciousness of some fried Greek lamb meatballs. So if you like me, just love lamb, this traditional Greek lamb meatballs recipe is made just for you! Just like my Spicy minced Lamb Kofta Kebab Recipe (Giaourtlou)!

Greek Meatballs is a famous Greek appetizer, commonly served as part of a meze platter. Keftedes can also be served as a filling meal with some basmati rice and a nice Greek feta salad. Leftovers (which is a good thing in this case!) can make a delicious brand new dish (click for recipe), added in a tomato-based sauce with some mashed potatoes, or pasta.

Greek Lamb Meatballs recipe – Frying or Baking?

Although this Greek lamb meatballs recipe requires frying the meatballs to achieve that extra crispy texture and lots of flavor, you can also bake / grill them in the oven. The grilled version is much lighter than the fried, so you can save some calories and enjoy them guilt free! If you choose to bake your Greek lamb Meatballs, try adding some crumbled feta cheese in the mixture for that extra twist.

The perfect Greek lamb meatballs always consist of a crisp exterior and juicy interior. To achieve the perfect result, fry the meatballs in a single layer in plenty of oil that just covers the meatballs.

Not overcrowding the pan is vital for a delicious crispy crust to form. If you add too many of those Greek lamb meatballs in the pan, the temperature of the oil will decrease. Keeping the oil hot will crisp up the outside while keeping the inside juicy and tender.

Heat the oil to medium-high heat, just before it starts smoking. To check the oil temperature, test it using a small piece of bread crust . If the oil begins to sizzle around it, creating small bubbles then you are ready to go. Turn the meatballs occasionally in the pan and adjust the heat to avoid burning until they have a formed a rich golden brown crust.

So go ahead, give this traditional Greek lamb meatballs recipe a try and make your family and friends happy in less than 40 minutes! Recipe makes enough for about 40 meatballs which depending on whether you have it as a starter or main can serve anything between 5 to 10 people.

Crispy Greek Lamb Meatballs recipe (Keftedes Arni)

(813 votes, average: 4.69 out of 5)
Loading...

• Author: Eli K. Giannopoulos
• Prep Time: 25 min
• Cook Time: 15 min
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 55 pieces
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Fried
• Cuisine: Greek

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

---

Description

A traditional Greek lamb meatballs recipe (Keftedes arni). If you love lamb, this traditional Greek lamb meatballs recipe is made just for you! A famous Greek appetizer, commonly served as part of a meze platter.

---

Ingredients

• 1 kg ground lamb (35 oz.)
• 1 large red onion, grated
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 a cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp finely grated Greek kefalotyri cheese or good-quality pecorino or Parmigiano-Reggiano (optional)
• salt and freshly ground pepper
• flour for dredging
• oil for frying

---

Similar recipes you may like!

• 

  Skordalia recipe (Traditional…

• 

  Chickpea Fritters recipe…

• 

  Melitzanosalata recipe…

• 

  Tomatokeftedes (Fried Santorini…

---

Instructions

1. To prepare this traditional Greek lamb meatballs recipe (arnisioi keftedes), add all the ingredients into a large bowl and mix , squeezing with your hands, to allow the flavours to blend. Cover the bowl with some plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge for at least 15 minutes.
2. To form your Greek lamb meatballs, roll the mixture into balls, the size of a walnut. Dredge lightly each meatball in flour, until well covered. Transfer to a plate, shaking off any excess flour.
3. The traditional way of cooking Greek lamb meatballs is frying them in plenty of oil.
4. To fry Greek lamb meatballs use a large, deep skillet and pour in the oil to a depth of 1/2 an inch (1,5 cm). Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it begins to ripple. Add the lamb meatballs in batches in a single layer and fry for about 7 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and crisp on all sides. Using a slotted spoon, remove the meatballs to a plate lined with paper.
5. If you prefer a lighter version, you can bake/ grill the meatballs. Preheat the oven at 200C, place the lamb meatballs on greased baking sheet about an inch apart. Bake for about 20 minutes, turning the meatballs upside down midway through cooking time.
6. Greek lamb meatballs are ideally served as an appetizer (meze) with some creamy tzatziki sauce and pita breads  or as a main course with some basmati rice and Greek salad. Enjoy!

---

---

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 piece
• Calories: 80kcal
• Sugar: 0.2g
• Sodium: 63.3mg
• Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 2.1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 2.8g
• Fiber: 0.2g
• Protein: 3.6g
• Cholesterol: 16.7mg

Keywords: Greek Lamb Meatballs, Lamb Keftedes recipe

Recipe Image Gallery:

The post Crispy Greek Lamb Meatballs recipe (Keftedes Arni) appeared first on My Greek Dish.