beef - My Greek Dish https://www.mygreekdish.com/tag/beef/ 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 beef - My Greek Dish https://www.mygreekdish.com/tag/beef/ 32 32 52084098 Greek Stuffed Zucchini in Egg Lemon Sauce (Avgolemono) https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/greek-stuffed-zucchini-in-egg-lemon-sauce-avgolemono/ https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/greek-stuffed-zucchini-in-egg-lemon-sauce-avgolemono/#comments Fri, 07 Jul 2023 20:51:10 +0000 https://www.mygreekdish.com/?p=270782 Experience the classic flavors of Greece with this delicious and hearty Greek Stuffed Zucchini in Egg Lemon Sauce (Avgolemono)! This traditional Greek dish is a great way to enjoy zucchini, […]

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Experience the classic flavors of Greece with this delicious and hearty Greek Stuffed Zucchini in Egg Lemon Sauce (Avgolemono)! This traditional Greek dish is a great way to enjoy zucchini, even if you aren’t usually a fan. It combines ground beef or lamb, rice, onion, herbs and spices for an incredibly flavorful stuffing topped in a delicious egg lemon sauce!

The finishing touch comes from the creamy egg and lemon sauce known as “avgolemono,” which adds a tangy flavor to the dish. Perfect for any meal – appetizer or main course – this recipe will surely please everyone!

Greek Stuffed Zucchini with Egg Lemon Sauce

What is Greek Stuffed Zucchini?

Greek Stuffed Zucchini in Egg Lemon Sauce, also known as “Kolokithakia Yemista Avgolemono” in Greek, is a traditional Greek dish that is commonly served as a main course or part of a mezze platter.

Greek stuffed zucchini consists of small to medium-sized zucchinis that are hollowed out, stuffed with a flavourful mixture of ground meat (usually beef or lamb), rice, onion, herbs, and spices, and then boiled in water until tender.

After the stuffed zucchinis are cooked, they are finished with a creamy egg and lemon sauce called “avgolemono.” The sauce is made by whisking eggs and lemon juice together and then slowly tempering it with hot broth until it thickens into a creamy, tangy sauce.

The result is a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for a family dinner or gathering with friends.

  • Classic way to serve zucchini: Even if you aren’t a fan, this dish will convince you to eat the vegetable!
  • Great for any meal: Make it as an appetizer or as part of a larger meal.

Greek Stuffed Zucchini in Egg and Lemon Sauce (Avgolemono)

Greek Stuffed Zucchini Key Ingredients

Zucchini: You’ll need four large zucchinis. Also a large potato to use to stand the vegetable up when it is cooking.

Stuffing: Ground beef is mixed with white rice, then white wine, parsley, mint and dill are added, along with cinnamon, allspice and some black pepper.

Sauce: The egg and lemon sauce is made with egg yolks, lemon juice and a little cornstarch.

Greek Stuffed Zucchini Key Preparation Tips

There are four main steps involved with this recipe:

  1. Prepare the stuffing
  2. Prepare the zucchini
  3. Cook the zucchini and create the sauce
  4. Serve the dish

Prepare the stuffing for Greek stuffed zucchini

To start, heat the oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the peeled and finely chopped onion, along with a pinch of salt, and gently fry until it becomes soft and begins to turn color.

Cook the beef with a wooden spoon for approximately 10 minutes until it is well-cooked and has browned in some areas.

Along with the rice, add the peeled and crushed garlic. Cook for an additional minute until the garlic becomes aromatic and the rice grains are heated through.

Lower the heat to low and pour the white wine into the mixture. Let the wine simmer until it completely evaporates.
Take the pan off the stove. Add the herbs, spices and a substantial quantity of black pepper. Taste and adjust as needed, then let it cool for a while.

Filling for Greek Stuffed Zucchini

Prepare the zucchini

Cut off the ends of the zucchini and slice them into three equally sized pieces. Then, use a sharp knife and a long spoon (an ice cream spoon is recommended) or an apple corer to hollow out the zucchini pieces to make tubes 1/2 cm (0.3 inches) thick.

To create a honeycomb pattern with the zucchini in a lidded saucepan, stand them up so that their cut bottoms are flush with the bottom of the pan, and ensure they can’t fall over during cooking by wedging pieces of potato between them to keep them upright. Make sure they fit snugly in the pan.

Use a small spoon to fill each zucchini tube with the beef mixture. Be sure to pack it in tightly, but leave enough space for the rice to expand.

Cook the zucchini and create the sauce

Add cold water to the pan until it reaches halfway up the zucchini tubes and then generously season the water with salt.

Set the heat over medium-high to boil the water and lower it to a low simmer. Put the lid on and let it simmer for 30-40 minutes or until the zucchini becomes tender.

Greek Stuffed Zucchini in Egg-Lemon Sauce (Avgolemono)

While whisking together, make a thick paste by combining the egg yolks and cornstarch. Gradually stir in the lemon juice and set it aside.

Serve the Greek stuffed zucchini 

Using tongs, carefully take out the zucchini from the pan and put it on a plate lined with kitchen paper to absorb any excess moisture.

Greek Stuffed Zucchini in Egg-Lemon Sauce (Avgolemono)

Pour the remaining cooking liquid through a strainer and gradually add 200ml (2/3 cup) of it to the beaten eggs while whisking.

Pour the mixture into a saucepan and gently heat it. Then, warm up the egg sauce in the saucepan, frequently whisking until it thickens significantly. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the stuffed zucchini when poured over them.

To enjoy the stuffed zucchini, you can serve it either warm or at room temperature. Simply pour the freshly made sauce over the top and add a little fresh dill for extra flavor.

Greek Stuffed Zucchini in Egg and Lemon Sauce

Variations

You can easily switch the ground beef in this Greek stuffed zucchini recipe for either ground veal or lamb and the recipe will work just as well.

Making ahead of time and storing

Leftover stuffed zucchini can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To store, make sure the zucchini is completely cooled down first. Place the stuffed zucchini in a container, cover it with a lid, and place it in the fridge.

Greek Stuffed Zucchini with Egg Lemon Sauce (Avgolemono)

Serving suggestions

Greek Stuffed zucchini can be served as a main dish on its own or paired with a variety of side dishes to create a delicious and filling meal. Here are some ideas for side dishes to serve with stuffed zucchini:

These options provide a range of flavors and textures that complement the savory stuffed zucchini. Choose your favorite side dishes and enjoy a complete and satisfying meal!

Love zucchinis? More zucchini recipes to try

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Greek Stuffed Zucchini in Egg Lemon Sauce (Avgolemono)

Greek Stuffed Zucchini in Egg Lemon Sauce (Avgolemono)

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (26 votes, average: 4.54 out of 5)
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  • Author: Eli K. Giannopoulos
  • Prep Time: 35 min
  • Cook Time: 70 min
  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 portions
  • Category: Main
  • Method: Boiled
  • Cuisine: Greek

Description

Experience the classic flavors of Greece with this delicious and hearty Greek Stuffed Zucchini in Egg Lemon Sauce (Avgolemono)! It combines ground beef or lamb, rice, onion, herbs and spices for an incredibly flavorful stuffing topped with creamy egg lemon sauce!


Ingredients

For the Greek stuffed Zucchini

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 brown onion
  • salt
  • 500g ground beef (approx. 1 lb/ 18 oz.)
  • 1 large garlic clove
  • 3 tbsp white rice
  • 125ml white wine (1/2 cup)
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh dill, plus extra for garnishing
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground allspice
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 large zucchini 
  • 1 large potato 

For the egg lemon sauce

  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • juice of 2 lemons


Instructions

For the Greek stuffed Zucchini

  1. Heat the oil in the bottom of a large skillet or frying pan set over a medium high heat and gently fry the onion, peeled and finely chopped with a pinch of salt until soft and starting to colour.
  2. Add the beef and fry for about 10 minutes, breaking it up with the wooden spoon until it is cooked through and has browned in places.
  3. Add the garlic, peeled and crushed along with the rice. Cook for another minute until the garlic is aromatic and the rice grains have heated through.
  4. Add the white wine and turn the heat down to low. Allow the wine to bubble away completely. 
  5. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the herbs, spices and a generous amount of black pepper. Check for seasoning and set aside to cool a little.
  6. Top and tail the zucchini and slice them into three equal pieces. Using a very sharp knife and a long handled spoon – an ice cream spoon works well for this – or an apple corer, hollow out the zucchini pieces to create tubes with 1/2 cm (0.3 inch) sides.
  7. Stand the zucchini up to create a honeycomb pattern in a lidded saucepan where they fit snuggly. To make sure they stand up straight with their cut bottoms flush to the bottom of the pan, and to make sure they can’t fall over during cooking cut up pieces of potato to wedge between them to keep them upright.
  8. Using a small spoon, fill each zucchini tube with the beef mixture. You want this to be quite tightly packed, but not so much that the rice does not have a chance to expand.
  9. Pour cold water into the pan so it reaches half way up the zucchini tubes and salt the water well. Set it over a medium high heat to bring the water to the boil before turning it down to a low simmer. Simmer for 30-40 minutes with the lid on, or until the zucchini are just tender. 
  10. Using tongs, carefully remove the zucchini from the pan, setting aside on a plate lined with kitchen paper to capture any extra moisture. 

For the egg lemon sauce

  1. Meanwhile, whisk together the egg yolks with the cornstarch into a thick paste, and gradually whisk in the lemon juice. Set aside.
  2. Strain the remaining cooking liquid and slowly whisk 200ml (2/3 cup) into the egg mixture.
  3. Pour the mixture into the saucepan and return it to the low heat. Warm through the egg sauce, whisking often until it has thickened substantially, and will coat the stuffed zucchini when poured over the top.
  4. Serve the stuffed zucchini warm or at room temperature with the freshly made sauce poured over the top and with an extra sprinkling of fresh dill. Enjoy!

Keywords: greek stuffed zucchini, Greek stuffed zucchini avgolemono

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Easy Beef Gyro recipe wrapped in Pita bread https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/easy-beef-gyro-recipe-wrapped-in-pita-bread/ https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/easy-beef-gyro-recipe-wrapped-in-pita-bread/#respond Thu, 01 Jun 2023 10:03:02 +0000 https://www.mygreekdish.com/?p=270136 Are you looking for a delicious, homemade meal that is easy to make and cooked in 20 minutes? Look no further than Greek beef gyro with the most flavourful marinade!  […]

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Are you looking for a delicious, homemade meal that is easy to make and cooked in 20 minutes? Look no further than Greek beef gyro with the most flavourful marinade! 

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!

Souvlaki with Beef Gyro recipe

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

Beef Gyro souvlaki recipe

 

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!

Greek Pita Bread prepared in a bread machine

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).

Beef Gyro ingredients

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.

Beef Gyro marinade

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.

Beef Gyro

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.

Beef Gyro preparation

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.

Beef Gyro souvlaki

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.

Homemade Baked Greek Fries recipe with feta cheese

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.

Authentic Greek Tzatziki sauce recipe

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!

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Beef Gyro souvlaki

Easy Beef Gyro recipe wrapped in Pita bread

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (86 votes, average: 4.93 out of 5)
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  • 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

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



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

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Greek Meat Pie (Kreatopita) https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/greek-meat-pie-kreatopita/ https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/greek-meat-pie-kreatopita/#comments Thu, 19 May 2022 08:07:46 +0000 https://www.mygreekdish.com/?p=263706 If you are looking for a classic Greek meat pie, then this recipe for Kreatopita will be just what you need! Combining two different types of meat, it is a […]

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If you are looking for a classic Greek meat pie, then this recipe for Kreatopita will be just what you need! Combining two different types of meat, it is a traditional, rustic pie you would see in villages across parts of Greece.

So go ahead and discover how to make it to perfection with my delicious recipe, step by step photos and tips and tricks below! 

What is Kreatopita (Greek meat pie)?

Kreatopita is a traditional Greek meat pie that you’ll traditionally find made in the villages across Kefallonia. They may not look like the fanciest of pies, but they are packed with so much flavour! They are also easy to make and can be a great way to use up some cuts of meat that you have in your freezer. This pie is a:

  • Two meat pie: A traditional pie that uses two different portions of meat in the filling.
  • Rustic favorite: It may not look the most spectacular but there’s so much taste involved!

Greek Meat Pie recipe (Kreatopita)

What you’ll need to make Greek Meat Pie the traditional way

You can use any combination of meats such as lamb, pork, veal or beef in the pie but it is always traditional to use at least two different types. I would avoid pairing veal and beef as these can taste quite similar so you’ll loose out a bit on the flavor!

When selecting your cuts of meat, I find that shoulder works best for both lamb and pork as it contains a bit more fat than the rest, which gives the pie a more intense flavor as well as they are pretty cheap to get!

Finally, traditionally, Carolina rice is used in the pie but this isn’t always widely available outside Greece. So instead go for white basmati rice in the dish as it works just as well! If you do spot Carolina rice, then by all means, give it a try instead.

Greek Meat Pie (Kreatopita) ingredients

Greek Meat Pie Key Ingredients

The traditional Greek Meat pie (kreatopita) needs just a handful of ingredients to make:

  1. Meat: You’ll need 2 cuts of meat for this recipe with my favourite ones being diced lamb and diced pork.
  2. For the pie filling: You’ll need some onion and garlic together with tomatoes, tomato paste and white wine. Finally the white basmati rice helps to give it extra bulk.
  3. Meat seasoning: I love using some dried marjoram along with fresh mint and flat leaf parsley to season my filling. You could also use dried oregano if you don’t have marjoram but because it is stronger, use only 3/4 tsp.
  4. Pie crust: I’ve opted to make my pie with puff pastry but you can also make it using your homemade phyllo. To finish off your pie you’ll need an egg to egg wash it and (traditionally) some kefalotyri cheese or, if you can’t find this, some halloumi cheese.

Key Preparation Tips

There are three main steps to prepare this Greek meat pie:

  1. Prepare the meat
  2. Make the pie filling
  3. Finally, assemble the pie

Greek Meat Pie (Kreatopita) baking dish

Prepare the meat

To make the pie filling, heat a large heavy-bottomed, lidded saucepan or casserole over a medium high heat with olive oil.

Brown the meat in batches, lowering the heat as needed to avoid burning bits on the bottom of the pan, and set it aside.

Tip: If your pan is not a non-stick type or not well seasoned you may get some bits of burnt meat on the bottom of the pan. If the brown patches are excessive, move the meat to another pan with a fresh splash of olive oil otherwise they may spoil the flavor of the pie filling as it will taste burnt!

Greek Meat Pie filling

Make the pie filling

Start by reducing the heat to medium low – you want the sauce to simmer, not boil! Fry the finely chopped onion with a little salt and the fat leftover from the meat until they have softened, caramelised and started to brown. This usually takes about 6-8 minutes. Then peel and crush the garlic and add to the onion, cooking for another minute.

Greek Meat Pie preparation

Then proceed to stir in the tomato paste and took for a minute or two to release the tomato flavor. Add the roughly chopped tomatoes and cook again until they start to break down then mix in the dried marjoram (or oregano if you’re substituting).

Add the white wine to deglaze the pan, let it simmer for a bit until it reduces by half then add 200ml or 3/4 cup of water and bring to the boil. Finally reduce the heat to low, add the lid on and simmer for an hour or so until the meat is tender.

Once done cooking, add the roughly chopped fresh herbs (parsley and mint) to the mixture, add the uncooked rice, stir then leave it to cool to room temperature. The rice will cook with the residual heat from the meat sauce and will soak up all its delicious juices! Once you are happy the pie filling is cooled, add more salt and pepper if needed.

Tip: Before adding the rice, if your sauce looks too dry, add a splash of water, bring it to a boil, remove from the heat then add the rice.

Assemble the Greek meat pie

To assemble your kreatopita, preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius / 350 Fahrenheit and grease a large square baking dish (about 22 cm/9 inches square) evenly with some butter.

Split the puff pastry into two parts, one slightly larger than the other. The smaller one will make the pie lid while the bigger one is for the pie base.

Flour your surface, then roll out the larger pastry block into a square that comfortably lines the bottom of your dish and leaves a few centimetres or 1/2 an inch over the filling line. Use this to line the dish, pushing gently into the corners with your fingers.

Proceed to spoon in the cooled filling. Lightly beat an egg and use this to brush the exposed edges of the pastry. Sprinkle some of your grated cheese evenly across the pie filling.

Greek Meat Pie assemble

To make the lid, roll out the smaller block and add it to the top of the pie, pressing down to seal the pastry where you added the egg.

Trim off any excess and brush the top of the pie with egg wash. Cut two small holes in the centre so steam can escape as it cooks.

Finally, cook in the oven for 1 hour or until the pastry is golden. Leave your kreatopita to cool for 15 minutes before cutting and serving.

Greek Meat Pie puff pastry

Can you use filo pastry?

You can definitely use homemade filo pastry for your pie! Feel free to give it a go using this easy homemade phyllo recipe. However, if you are not the most confident in working with pastry, use ready made puff pastry. It tastes great and it is also a huge time-saver! 

Finally, don’t worry if the block of pasty you’ve bought is a little different in size than in the recipe below. Just follow the measurements as a rough indication of what is needed to cover the dish and adapt for your own bakeware.

Making ahead of time and storing

I find it easiest to make the pie filling the day before I want to make the pie. Pop it in the refrigerator until you are ready to assemble the pie. Just take your filling out of the fridge, prepare your pastry, assemble and bake as per the recipe below.

Greek Meat Pie recipe

If you have leftovers, let them cool and store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days. Just reheat in the oven before serving.

Finally if you want to freeze the entire pie, its best to do this before baking it. Assemble but don’t glaze with egg, cover with plastic wrap and some foil then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw completely overnight then cook in the oven as directed.

Serving suggestions

As the main course, Greek meat pies are perfect with something like a tabouli or Horiatiki Greek salad. You can also enjoy it as a light meal on its own!

Greek meat pie slice

More delicious Greek Pies!

If you love a traditional Greek pie, the below recipes are made for you! 

  1. Greek Chicken Pie Recipe (Kotopita)
  2. Traditional Greek Leek Pie Recipe (Prasopita)
  3. Spanakopita Recipe With Homemade Phyllo (Authentic Greek Spinach Pie)
  4. Mini Spanakopita Triangles Recipe (Spanakopitakia / Greek Spinach Triangles)
  5. Greek Feta Cheese Pies Recipe (Tiropitakia)
  6. Spiral-Shaped Greek Cheese Pie Recipe (Kichi Kozanis)
  7. Traditional Zucchini Pie Recipe With Feta Cheese (Greek Kolokithopita)
  8. Traditional Tiropita Recipe (Greek Cheese Pie With Feta)
  9. Delicious Little Cheese Pies! (Pitarakia Milou)
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Greek Meat Pie (Kreatopita)

Greek Meat Pie (Kreatopita)

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (88 votes, average: 4.88 out of 5)
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  • Author: Eli K. Giannopoulos
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus cooling and resting time)
  • Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 3 hours
  • Yield: 6 portions
  • Category: Sides
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Greek

Description

If you are looking for a classic Greek meat pie, then this recipe for Kreatopita will be just what you need! Combining two different types of meat, it is a traditional, rustic pie you would see in villages across parts of Greece


Ingredients

For the Greek meat pie filling

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 325g diced lamb (11 1/2 oz)
  • 325g diced pork (11 1/2 oz)
  • salt
  • 1 brown onion
  • 2 large garlic cloves
  • 1/2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 large tomatoes
  • 1 tsp dried marjoram 
  • 200ml white wine (3/4 cups)
  • 50g white basmati rice (1/4 cup)
  • handful flat leaf parsley
  • handful fresh mint
  • butter, at room temperature 

To assemble

  • 500g block puff pastry (1 lb 1 1/2 oz)
  • 100g kefalotyri or halloumi cheese (3 1/2 oz)
  • 1 egg


Instructions

For the Greek meat pie filling

  1. To make the filling for this traditional Kreatopita, heat the olive oil in the bottom of a large heavy bottomed, lidded saucepan or casserole dish set over a medium high heat. Salt the meat well and fry the meat in batches until well browned, adjusting the heat if necessary to make sure you don’t get burnt bits on the bottom of the pan. Set the meat aside.
  2. Lower the heat to medium low. Finely chop the onion and gently fry it along with another pinch of salt in the fat leftover from the meat for 6-8 minutes until the onion has softened and started to brown. Peel and crush the garlic cloves and add them to the onion, cooking for a further minute until aromatic. 
  3. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute or two until slightly caramelised. Roughly chop the tomatoes and stir them in too, cooking for another few minutes until they start to break down. Add the dried marjoram. 
  4. Add the wine and allow to reduce by half. Add 200ml / 3/4 cups water, and turn up the heat to bring the filling up to a boil. Reduce to low, clap on the lid and leave to simmer for an hour, until the meat is tender.
  5. Roughly chop the herbs and stir them into the pie filling, along with the uncooked rice. Leave to cool to room temperature.
  6. Check the seasoning of the cooled pie filling, adding pepper and more salt if necessary. 

To assemble the Greek meat pie

  1. To assemble the Kreatopita, pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius / 350 Fahrenheit and liberally butter your deepest square baking dish roughly 22 cm / 9 inches square.
  2. Divide the puff pastry block into two, one half slightly smaller than the other to make the lid. 
  3. On a well floured surface, roll the larger pastry block out into a large square, large enough to comfortably line the dish with a few centimetres / at least 1/2 inch to spare above the filling line. Use this to line the dish, using your fingers to push the pastry into the corners.
  4. Spoon in the filling. Lightly beat the egg, and brush the exposed edge of the pastry along the top.
  5. Grate the cheese and sprinkle it evenly across the top of the pie filling. 
  6. Roll out the second block of pastry and top the pie with it, pressing down to seal the pastry along the egg wash line and trimming off any excess. Brush the top with egg wash and cut two small holes in the middle of the pie to allow steam to escape. 
  7. Bake for 1 hour until the pastry is golden. Leave to stand for 15 minutes before cutting and serving. Enjoy!

Keywords: Greek meat pie, kreatopita recipe, Greek meat pie puff pastry

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Greek Bifteki (Baked beef patties) with lemon potatoes https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/greek-bifteki-baked-beef-patties-with-lemon-potatoes/ https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/greek-bifteki-baked-beef-patties-with-lemon-potatoes/#comments Fri, 19 Nov 2021 09:35:16 +0000 https://www.mygreekdish.com/?p=261207 Greek baked bifteki (beef patties) with lemon potatoes! A staple dish in every Greek household! Juicy and well seasoned minced beef, infused with the flavours of parsley, garlic, onions and oregano, […]

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Greek baked bifteki (beef patties) with lemon potatoes! A staple dish in every Greek household! Juicy and well seasoned minced beef, infused with the flavours of parsley, garlic, onions and oregano, paired with lemon roast potatoes. Well, one couldn’t ask for more! Except for that village bread aside to mop up every single drop of that delicious sauce.

So try it out and be amazed by the freshness of all the ingredients adding a Mediterranean twist to your plate!
Greek Bifteki (baked beef patties) with potatoes

I must admit this Greek beef biftekia with lemon potatoes recipe is one of my top 5 favourite family meals. (I make it almost every week!) Everybody loves it and it’s really easy to make. And for those occasions that I want something extra in them, I stuff them with feta cheese like my greek burgers stuffed with feta cheese and burgers layered with feta cheese. And when in the mood for a burger, they go great with my delicious burger buns!

Tip: make 2-3 batches of the burgers so you can store them in the freezer wrapped in cling film or in airtight bags. When needed you can defrost them and have an effortless meal!

How to make traditional Greek Bifteki (baked beef patties)

  1. Greeks enhance the flavor of their bifteki (burgers) with herbs, like oregano, spearmint and parsley, which give a unique taste.
  2. The key, of course, is to get some good-quality minced meat. You can either go with beef or a combination of beef and pork or lamb (a little fat is necessary for extra flavour!)
  3. Knead the mixture thoroughly until all the herbs and spices penetrate the meat. 
  4. Using some grated ripe tomato and red wine vinegar will make the patties fluffier.
  5. Sometimes bifteki can become a little bit heavy. To avoid this, a little trick is to sauté the onions and garlic before adding them in the ground meat mixture, so that the aromas are more gentle and discreet.

Greek Bifteki (beef patties) with potatoes

How to cook the potatoes

For this recipe you can use either potatoes, cut in wedges or baby potatoes. We make a quick marinade with olive oil, lemon juice, mild mustard, minced garlic, oregano, thyme and water and toss the potatoes to coat them. Then we bake the potatoes in the juices.

In Greece when preparing Greek Biftekia it is almost a rule to add the potatoes in the same pan with the patties, so that they get all the juices and aromas from the meat.

The main drawback is that the potatoes are not that crispy as when baked on their own. So it’s up to you to decide if you want to sacrifice a little crispiness for extra flavour.

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Greek Bifteki (baked beef patties) with potatoes

Greek Bifteki (baked beef patties) with potatoes

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (145 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)
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  • Author: Eli K. Giannopoulos
  • Prep Time: 20 min
  • Cook Time: 60 min
  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 10 medium patties
  • Category: Main
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Greek

Description

Greek baked bifteki (beef patties) with lemon potatoes! A staple dish in every Greek household! Juicy, well seasoned minced beef, infused with the flavours of parsley, garlic, onions and oregano, paired with lemon roast potatoes.


Ingredients

For the beef patties

  • 1kg minced beef (35 ounces)
  • 1 ripe tomato, grated
  • 1 red onion, grated
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 2 eggs
  • 4 tbsp parsley, chopped
  • 2 tsp oregano
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 4 tsps salt
  • 1.5 tsp freshly ground pepper

For the potatoes

  • 1 kg potatoes, cut in wedges (or baby potatoes)
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon mustard
  • 50 ml olive oil
  • 100 ml water
  • 1 clove of garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried thyme


Instructions

  1. To prepare this Greek beef bifteki (patties) recipe, add in a large bowl the minced beef along with the rest of the ingredients and mix thoroughly with your hands. If the mixture is too sticky add some more breadcrumbs (or some water if it is to dry), till the mix is solid. If you have the time, it is better to knead the mixture for about 10 minutes, until all the ingredients combine.
  2. When done, put the mixture for the burgers (bifteki) in the fridge to rest for about 10 minutes.
  3. Form the mixture in flat round burgers.
  4. Preheat oven to 180* C (350* F).
  5. If using large potatoes, cut the potatoes into wedges. In a large bowl add all the ingredients for the potatoes and whisk to combine. Add the potatoes and toss to coat.
  6. Transfer the potatoes and the marinade to a 30×40 cm roasting pan. Spread them out in the pan and bake for 20 minutes.
  7. Once the potatoes are partly cooked, place the patties over them. Bake covered with aluminum foil for 20 minutes. Remove the aluminum foil and bake for 10 more minutes.
  8. Enjoy!

Keywords: greek burger, greek bifteki, bifteki, greek burger with lemon potatoes, bifteki with potatoes, burger with potatoes, greek burger with potatoes

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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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Greek Beef Soup recipe (Kreatosoupa) https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/greek-beef-soup-recipe-kreatosoupa/ https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/greek-beef-soup-recipe-kreatosoupa/#comments Fri, 15 Jan 2021 10:03:37 +0000 https://www.mygreekdish.com/?p=257807 The perfect dish for a cold winter’s day! Hearty, simple, aromatic and extra warming Greek beef soup (Kreatosoupa) with vegetables and potatoes for the whole family to enjoy! As the […]

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The perfect dish for a cold winter’s day! Hearty, simple, aromatic and extra warming Greek beef soup (Kreatosoupa) with vegetables and potatoes for the whole family to enjoy!

As the winter is here, I find it very hard to resist every recipe that includes the word “soup”. One of my favourite soups is Greek lemon chicken soup (kotosoupa avgolemono), which I prepare not very often, I admit, as it requires a little bit more time and effort. But still is my number one option for when I have enough time.

My best alternative for when I crave for an effortless soup is this classic Greek beef soup recipe, which needs 5 minutes preparation and few ingredients, making it a staple in my household.

Greek cuisine also includes lots of vegetarian soups recipes, like Greek bean soup (fasolada), Greek lentil soup (Fakes soupa) and Greek chickpea soup (revithia soupa). They all have a very special place in my heart, bringing back wintery childhood memories.

Greek beef soup recipe variations

As I said before, this beef soup is my number one choice for an effortless whole family meal. There are many variations of Greek Beef soup. Some of them may include rice and egg lemon sauce or orzo and tomato sauce. But with this recipe I try it to keep it simple, so that you can enjoy a bowl of nice, warm beef soup any day of the week.

Using as base ingredients carrots, celery and onions for extra flavour and potatoes to make it more filling, and finishing with lemon juice, zest, olive oil and fresh thyme. You can try experimenting adding any kind of vegetables and herbs you like, like fennel, leek, fresh oregano or even spice it up a bit, using some chili flakes.

Serve this traditional Greek beef soup (kreatosoupa) while still steaming hot, with a last minute squeeze of a lemon, a splash of extra virgin oil and fresh thyme. And of course some crusty village bread aside! Enjoy!

Love soups?

If you love a hearty soup as much as I do then these recipes below are perfect for a cold winter’s day!

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Greek Beef Soup recipe (Kreatosoupa)

Greek Beef Soup recipe (Kreatosoupa)

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (476 votes, average: 4.74 out of 5)
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  • Author: Eli K. Giannopoulos
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 120 min
  • Total Time: 125 min
  • Yield: 6-8 portions
  • Category: Soups
  • Method: Boiled
  • Cuisine: Greek

Description

For a cold winter’s day; hearty, aromatic, warming Greek beef soup (Kreatosoupa) with vegetables and potatoes for the whole family to enjoy!


Ingredients

  • 1 kg beef, cut in portions (35 oz.)
  • 3 tbsps olive oil
  • 3 carrots, peeled and cut in slices
  • 23 sticks celery, cut in slices
  • 2 white onions, finely chopped
  • 23 bay leaves
  • 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut in cubes
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1 beef bouillon cube
  • salt and freshly ground pepper
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • water


Instructions

  1. To prepare this Greek beef soup recipe, first cut the beef into 5cm (2 inches) pieces.
  2. Heat a large pot over high heat. Add the olive oil and beef and sauté, until nicely coloured.
  3. Add the finely chopped onions and carrots and sauté for 1 more minute.
  4. Pour in the same pot approx. 1.5L of water. (The water should cover the ingredients.)
  5. Add the celery, potatoes, bay leaves, thyme and beef cube. Stir well with a wooden spoon.
  6. Place the lid on, turn the heat down and let the beef soup simmer for approx. 2 hours. Check once in a while to remove the foam from the surface with a spoon. Add more water if needed as it evaporates.
  7. After the beef is done add the lemon juice, lemon zest, a splash of olive oil and season to taste.
  8. Serve while still warm with a slice of lemon and chopped thyme. Enjoy!

Keywords: Greek beef soup, kreatospoupa recipe, Beef soup with potatoes and vegetables

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Traditional Greek lemon beef stew recipe (Moschari lemonato) https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/traditional-greek-lemon-beef-stew-recipe-moschari-lemonato/ https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/traditional-greek-lemon-beef-stew-recipe-moschari-lemonato/#comments Wed, 31 Oct 2018 09:28:56 +0000 https://www.mygreekdish.com/?p=91337 The very best traditional Greek lemon beef stew recipe (Moschari lemonato)! Juicy and tender, melt-in-the-mouth beef simmered in a delicious lemon and white wine sauce, infused with the aromas of garlic, onions and herbs. Simply irresistible! Discover how to make it to perfection here…

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A classic Greek lemon beef stew recipe (Moschari lemonato) that surely brings back childhood memories. There is nothing better than a perfectly cooked stew for a large family dinner. And this traditional Greek lemon beef stew recipe (Moschari lemonato) never fails to impress!

Moschari lemonato – A traditional Greek lemon beef stew recipe

‘Moschari lemonato’ is a traditional Greek recipe for stewed veal or beef or let me rephrase.. This Greek lemon beef stew recipe is with no doubt the most delicious lemon beef stew you have ever tried! Together with a beef stifado that is!

It’s simple preparation and presentation, which is part of the Greek cuisine, takes nothing out of it’s exquisite taste. To prepare this super easy Greek lemon beef stew recipe all you have to do is just put all the ingredients together and let the pan or slow-cooker do the rest!

Greek lemon beef stew recipe (Moschari lemonato) – ‘Simplicity is perfection’

Perfectly tender and juicy Greek lemon beef stew simmered in a delicious lemony flavoured sauce to form an amazing full of Mediterranean flavours hearty dish. This amazing traditional Greek lemon beef stew recipe (Moschari lemonato) is the brightest example of how Greek cuisine takes the simplest ingredients and with literally no effort transforms them into a finger licking dish!

For the traditional Greek lemon beef stew recipe, the meat is first browned and sealed, to remain juicy and then added to lemon based sauce, along with aromatic herbs and wine.

“Moschari lemonato” – How to make the perfect Greek lemon beef stew

Greek lemon beef stew is typically cooked at a relatively low temperature -simmered, not boiled- allowing flavors to mingle.

For juicier results, the key is to pick the right kind of meat. For a Greek beef stew, you need to choose large cuts of meat from either the front shoulder or the rear end of beef, which, when cooked for a long time, become fork tender. Serve with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, mashed potatoes or basmati rice and enjoy over a glass of your best white wine!

Oh and you can always read this delicious recipe in Greek here Συνταγή για Μοσχάρι λεμονάτο.

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Traditional Greek lemon beef stew recipe (Moschari lemonato)

Traditional Greek lemon beef stew recipe (Moschari lemonato)

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  • Author: Eli K. Giannopoulos
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 80 min
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 portions
  • Category: Main
  • Method: Stew
  • Cuisine: Greek

Description

A traditional Greek lemon beef stew recipe (Moschari lemonato) that surely brings back childhood memories. It’s simple preparation and presentation takes nothing out of it’s exquisite taste.


Ingredients

  • 11.2 kg (35 oz.) stewing beef
  • 2 small red onions, chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
  • juice of 3 lemons
  • 2 tsps dried oregano
  • 1/2 a cup olive oil
  • 1/2 a cup dry white wine
  • salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 2 tbsps fresh thyme (optional)


Instructions

  1. To prepare this Greek beef stew recipe (Moschari lemonato), start by cutting the beef into chunks. Wipe the meat with paper towels. Heat 1/2 of a cup of olive oil into a pan, add the beef and sauté (high heat), until the meat is browned and crusty on all sides. Add the chopped onions and garlic and sauté for 2-3 more minutes.
  2. Pour in the wine and wait to evaporate. Add the lemon juice, the oregano and enough hot water just to cover the meat. Season with salt and pepper and stir.
  3. Turn the heat down and simmer with the lid on for at least 1-1.5 hour.
  4. Serve with mashed potatoes, basmati rice or french fries. Enjoy!


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 portion
  • Calories: 398kal
  • Sugar: 1.6g
  • Sodium: 522.9mg
  • Fat: 25.4g
  • Saturated Fat: 5.6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 19.4g
  • Trans Fat: 0.4g
  • Carbohydrates: 5.2g
  • Fiber: 0.7g
  • Protein: 36.7g
  • Cholesterol: 109.1mg

Keywords: Greek Lemon beef stew, Moschari lemonato recipe

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Traditional Greek lemon beef stew recipe (Moschari lemonato)

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