The Food and Wine of Greece: More Than 300 Classic and Modern Dishes from the Mainland and Islands of Greece [Hardcover]

Diane Kochilas (Author), Vassilis Stenos (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1990

Greece and its many islands are rich with traditional and regional culinary dishes that go far beyond the standard fare of moussaka and spinach pie. Diane Kochilas collected 250 recipes, adapting them where necessary, to make them accessible to modern cooks with modern ingredients, in this comprehensive guide to an exciting but relatively unexplored cuisine.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

There are few good Greek cookbooks available; the Recipe Club of St. Paul's Complete Book of Greek Cooking ( LJ 4/15/90) is an exception and a useful basic introduction to the cuisine. Kochilas's more ambitious book includes background on the country and its customs, wine recommendations with each recipe, and informative headnotes on dishes as familiar as Baklava, as exotic as Snail and Bulgur Pilaf. For subject collections.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"An irresistible cookbook filled with tantalizing recipes, delightful stories, and gastronomic joy. I loved it." --Paula Wolfert, author of Mediterranean Cooking, The Cooking of Southwest France, and Paula Wolfert's World of Food

"I expect [The Food and Wine of Greece] to become a clasic in its field." --John Mariana, food and travel correspondent for Esquire magazine and author of The Dictionary of American Food and Drink

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 354 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr; 1st edition (November 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312050887
• ISBN-13: 978-0312050887
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #300,790 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #69 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Drinks & Beverages > Wine > Food & Wine

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book for Greek Cooking (and drinking), April 5, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Food and Wine of Greece: More Than 300 Classic and Modern Dishes from the Mainland and Islands (Paperback)

I would recommend this book highly. As a Greek American I can vouch for the authenticity of most of the recipies. In some instances the author has to make substitutions (mostly with cheeses) with ingredients that would be difficult to find for the average American.
Her wine selections are helpful and in my experience have paired well with the food.
Her measurements are very accurate. For anyone who has cooked from many Greek cookbooks (in english) you will know that very often measurements are totally off. This is due to the fact for thousands or at least hundreds of years these recipies were verbal and were not written down until relatively recently. I have suffered through many a dish trying to guess what amount is accurate. That has always been my biggest complaint with Greek cookbooks- AND that is not a problem with this one.
Everything I have tried has come out wonderful. I would recommend this as a great book containing all the classics.
Kali Orexi!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greek cooking the authentic way., October 11, 1997

By 

F. MICHAEL ZULIM (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Food and Wine of Greece: More Than 300 Classic and Modern Dishes from the Mainland and Islands of Greece (Hardcover)

This cookbook is a masterpiece. It symbolizes greek cuisine at her best. The recipes are authentic and provide the novice or professional cook the best insight into the simplicity of greek food. The regional specialities are a delight. I have used this book countless times. It also shares with the reader little paragraphs about the recipes and their origins or variations. I own several greek cookbooks, but this one is my best and Diane has captured the heart and soul of greek cooking. From the meze to the deserts, all the recipes will stimulate the palate and keep you going back for more of her recipes. Some of the recipes reminded me of my childhood with my grandparents and my grandfather's cooking. This book should satisfy your cravings for greek cuisine.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love that wonderfully scented Greek Lamb, May 12, 2001

By 

rodboomboom (Dearborn, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Food and Wine of Greece: More Than 300 Classic and Modern Dishes from the Mainland and Islands (Paperback)

We are so blessed here in the Detroit Metro area to have Greek Town with all its outstanding restaurants. You can even get their cookbook which is excellent: Opaa! Greek Cooking Detroit Style.

Kochilas' cookbook is even larger with over 300 recipes plus variations on most dishes, background sketches and wonderful memories of the dishes she's describing.

I am in love with the way Greeks do Lamb Stews--scented with allspice and cinnamon with just right acidic balance of rich tomato sauce. Kochilas' recipe Arni Kapam (Lamb in a Spicy Tomato Sauce) has become a favorite. Surprisingly so, I am a nut for Snails, so her Cochli me Pligoui (Snail and Bulgur Pilaf) is out of this world as well as the Cretan Classic Snail Stew.

Her classic Pastitsio and Mousakka are excellent as well as Chicken-Lemon Soup and syrupy Bakliva desserts.

One fine, well done cookbook.