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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Review

'stretches far beyond Greek salad and moussaka' Sainsury's magazine, July 2009 'bulges with traditional recipes collected from all over Greece. - The Mediterranean diet was born in Greece [ - ] its constituents are cereals, beans, greens, herbs, olive oil, figs, grapes, wine and cheese: bet you feel healthier just reading these words. Delve in here to discover ways to cook all of the above' The Daily Telegraph magazine, 11 July 2009 'Potatoes or no potatoes? It's a question of often asked about classic Greek moussaka. If you have a copy of Vefa's Kitchen to hand, the argument will soon be settled. - packed with definitive recipes for much loved and often misunderstood classics, plus lesser known but no less delicious dishes from all over the country. - the recipes are clearly and carefully written, and ingredients kept accessible - Turn to page 419, by the way, for the solution to the moussaka conundrum, and if you actually make it, prepare for a life-changing experience!' Jamie, July 2009 'anyone who thought that Greek cuisine was the stuff you were served on your annual holiday [...] is in for a for a surprise. ... Yes, taramsalata, tzatziki and hummus are all there, but so is cuttlefish in wine, salt cod fritters and squid served with nettles. ... One surprise about the book is how well it caters for vegetarians.' Lena Corner, The Independent, 16 July 2009 'Phaidon [are] confident that this book will be a winner internationally. And they're not wrong. ... this book is possibly the most authoritative written in the English language. It kicks off with an overview of the regionality of Greek food, then goes straight into the recipes. It's all to the point and for people who cook; there is no 'lifestyle' element ... just lots of tested, clear recipes. The photography is equally simple and effective, immediately evocative of the food of the real Greece ... the book's a stunner, beautifully designed, and should give hours of pleasure of page-flicking joy and cooking pleasure to anyone who appreciates real Greek food.' Guy Dimond, Time Out, 28 July 2009 'Vefa Alexiadou, the grande dame of Greek cuisine, has just penned Vefa's Kitchen ... which has been hailed as the definitive bible of her homeland's traditional dishes.' Easy Jet Traveller, August 2009 'will set a benchmark for future generations. - with its distinctive blue and white cover design [ - ] an authoritative and beautifully illustrated book - striking colour photographs' Martin Stote, The Ionian, September 2011

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 704 pages
• Publisher: Phaidon Press; First Edition edition (May 30, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0714849294
• ISBN-13: 978-0714849294
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 2.2 x 10.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,966 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Regional & International > European > Greek

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 26 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

Format: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.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

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

By Quai Chang Cain

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

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.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice September 28, 2009

By Michael S. Baird

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a complete, interesting cookbook. My only complaint is the index. You can't look up Moussaka, Souvlaki, or Galatopita, for example. You must look for main ingredient or for type - sauces, poultry, salads, etc. It will get much use in my non-greek home.