Vefa's Kitchen [Hardcover]

Vefa Alexiadou (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 30, 2009

"Vefa's Kitchen" is the first authoritative and all-encompassing Greek recipe book in English. Doing for Greek cuisine what the hugely successful "Silver Spoon" did for Italian, it contains more than 700 fully updated, straightforward and mouthwatering recipes. Aimed at all lovers of Mediterranean food, the book will appeal to anyone who loves to cook easy, tempting and delicious dishes, from simple but stunning salads and mezedes in summer, to slowly simmered meat dishes and crisp filo pastries in winter. As well as presenting definitive recipes for taverna favourites such as moussaka, tzatziki and hummus, the book documents the extraordinary variety of local sweets and pastries, delicious home-baked breads and cheeses of the mountainous interior, as well as the fish and vegetable dishes of coastal areas, simply fragranced with lemons and herbs. Like Italian cuisine, Greek cooking is incredibly simple and delicious, and is based on the natural qualities of good olive oil, fruit and vegetables, grains and seafood. And more than almost any other cuisine, modern Greek food contains many traces of its remarkable history, with its origins as far back as Homer and the 'wine-dark' Aegean Sea of the Iliad. The health benefits of the traditional Greek diet are well documented, and the extensive Greek repertoire of vegetable dishes is well represented, with more than 300 dishes that do not contain meat or fish. There is a comprehensive introduction on local ingredients and wines, the history of Greek cooking and the culinary characteristics of each region, as well as recipes for traditional and religious dishes. Vefa Alexiadou is the leading culinary authority in Greece today and is the author of many bestselling cookbooks. "Vefa's Kitchen" will quickly become a must-have for all home cooks and lovers of Mediterranean food.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Alexiadou, a chef well-regarded in Greece for her books and TV series, has compiled recipes from every corner of the country, for every section of the menu, beginning with a delightful array of mezedes such as wine-steamed mussels and fava bean croquettes, then going through soups and salads, pasta, fish and shellfish, all kinds of meats, and baked goods. Though she certainly includes classics like pastitsio, spanakopita and baklava, AlexiadouÖs selections overall demonstrate the breadth and depth of Greek cookery with entries such as duckling with kumquats, pumpkin fritters and tangerine flutes. She opens with a brief tour of GreeceÖs main regions and their specialties, but the focus is more on cooking than chatting; a concise section offering historical tidbits and general instructions opens each chapter, and many recipes close with serving and presentation tips. AlexiadouÖs aim is to provide a wide assortment of authentically Greek dishes, bringing the country to life through the recipesÖ varied ingredients rather than through prose. Some of the ingredients, like colocasia, or sheepÖs milk, will be harder for the home cook to obtain than others, but anyone seriously interested in learning the full repertoire of Greek cooking will be willing to make the effort, just as they will want this book. (May)
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About the Author

Vefa Alexiadou is the leading authority on Greek cookery. A bestselling author of many cookbooks in Greece, she also has her own television series and regularly writes articles for magazines and gives lectures and demonstrations on Greek recipes. She has served on the board of the Centre for the Preservation of Traditional Greek Gastronomy.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 704 pages
• Publisher: Phaidon Press (May 30, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0714849294
• ISBN-13: 978-0714849294
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 7.3 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #44,130 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Regional & International > European > Greek

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An essential addition to personal and family cookbook collections, June 13, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vefa's Kitchen (Hardcover)

The author of thirteen cookbooks in Greece and the host of her own culinary television series in that country, Vefa Alexiadou is an expert and an authority on authentic Greek cuisine who has served on the board of the Centre for the Preservation of Traditional Greek Gastronomy. Simply and straightforwardly, "Vefa's Kitchen" is a 703-page compendium that can justifiably be considered as the 'bible' of Greek cuisine. Featured are more than 650 recipes for authentic Greek dishes ranging from Shellfish in Phyllo Parcels; Curly Endive and Wild Asparagus Salad; Lentils with Lamb and Onions; and Bell Peppers Stuffed with Beans; to Baked Sea Bass with Olives; Chicken with Pickled Lemon from Corfu; Wild Boar in Red Wine from Thrace; and Sesame Seed Honey Bars. Profusely illustrated with color photos of finished dishes, each showcased recipe is thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' in presentation with an ingredients list, step-by-step cooking instructions, estimated numbers of servings, preparation time and cooking time. An ideal addition to professional and community library ethnic cookbook collections, "Vefa's Kitchen" is an essential addition to personal and family cookbook collections for those who enjoy Greek cuisine and dishes suitable for every dining occasion from simply family meals to elegant gourmet-quality dining celebrations.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mad, Mad Mousaka!, May 25, 2010

By 

Quai Chang Cain - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Vefa's Kitchen (Hardcover)

Whenever I've turned to Vefa's Kitchen for a dish I already know I like, I've been pleased with the results. However, sometimes when I just pick a dish at random the results have been a bit bland. Surely some people's tastes run to the bland side, so I'm not doubting the authenticity of the recipes.

That said, I just made the mousaka and it was the best mousaka I've ever had. And that's saying something, since Mousaka is the first dish I try at any new Greek restaurant I encounter. The book gets five stars just for teaching me to make my favorite dish just the way I like it.

When I'm feeling adventurous, I might turn to How to Roast a Lamb: New Greek Classic Cooking (try its gyro recipe!), but for good, classic Greek dishes, Vefa's Kitchen is now my first stop.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate Beautiful Cookbook!!!, June 21, 2009

By 

L. Evans "Amazon Fan" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Vefa's Kitchen (Hardcover)

I love to cook but even before I did, I loved cookbooks!! This is one of the most beautiful cookbooks I have ever seen!! It has English titles with the Greek title below, the pictures are outstanding and the recipes are all easy to read and on one page which is sort of a requirement for my cookbook buying. Another gorgeous surprise of this book is that it has ribbons for dividers that you could use or just keep in place if you didn't want to. Now to the food,,,,these are basic recipes that everyone would need for Greek cuisine!!! Appetizers, desserts, main dishes, soups, etc. It is divided and organized well and an absolute treat for cookbook lovers and especially Greek food lovers!!!!!! Worth the money, big time!!!!