slow down..

That day everything in  my mom's village seemed in perfect balance. The sun was shining, the birds were singing in melody, and the sent of jasmine and basil filled the air. My grandmother nervously kept herself  busy trying desperately not to leave any free time for thoughts or emotions, or for heart break. Her beloved daughter, my mother, was emigrating to Canada.. .on that day.  Nature could not have made a more perfect day. It was as if everything around her was trying to make my mom stay. It was all so simple and beautiful. My grandmother then wrapped a piece of bread in her best kitchen teatowel and said "take it with you for the road" ....I always imagined that day something like that.

So what do you take with you to lessen the weight of what you  leave behind!

My mother tells me the story of when the ship arrived in Halifax after almost a month at sea. Before boarding the train that was to take them to Montreal they stopped to buy some bread. They were all tired, nervous and confused and of course noone spoke any English. They wanted to buy bread but when they  saw the sliced bread (toast) in the store.....some of them began to cry. The simple memory of the bread at home and everything it represented was too much for most to handle. My mom says she cried like a baby.

After many years in Canada my mom still makes bread and the smell of fresh bread is something I grew up with and I still remember. Now I'm in Greece and she's in Canada strange how things turn out isn't it!!


When we travel through life we carry with us our memories and the traditions we like to make our own. Opening our homes and sharing food with friends and loved ones exists  in most cultures and is one of the traditions I choose to keep.Yet it has become extremely difficult in western societies to continue sharing a meal and a glass of wine. Our fast pace has left no room for simplicity. Everything is complicated, meals, family life, playing with our kids. Noone has time to make bread or wine for that matter. It is simply easier to buy things . We are buying  a "fast and convenient lifestyle" and at the same time we are sadly losing touch with the simplicity and beauty that is the process of life.

I have found that it's the little things that stay with us....like the smell of bread when you come home from school. Making bread takes a lot of effort but it represents a  time when people made things with their hands and their hearts.

All this to say...make bread people , wrap it in your best teatowel  and share it. Slow down..savour and experience as much as you can. Fill your house, your life with food and aromas, with people and with love.

see post Back to Basics..Bread for my bread recipe posted 21Oct2010

..crisis in Greece

Uncertainty is at its peak and personally I wonder if there is a term in psychology that would explain the phenomenon we are experiencing in Greece at this point in time....mass depression!!

The strangest thing is that everyone and I mean everyone is walking around confused, angry, and nervous...and yet the sun is so bright, the sea is so beautiful, it's almost like some power in the universe is trying to help us not lose our strength ..not lose our hope. The light is always shining here it's one of the things I fell in love with when I moved to this country. Being a Canadian of greek immigrant decent I came to Greece to live the dream my parents and many immigrants like them never got a chance to, the dream to come back home. My father passed away in Canada and never got his chance to come back. So I did!!

The irony though is that Now I'm faced with the same dilemma, does one stay or does one go? But how can one leave the sun, the people, the music, the culture. For the moment I choose to stay. I choose to stay and witness a people... my people unite and fight to keep this country, this culture alive. I hope to witness a time when value will not only be measured with money and community support will flourish.

You may wonder what does this have to do with food? Everything. Food supports life and is a very basic need and right that may not be such a given in the near future. Consumption merely for the sake of consumption has led  our generation to lose sight of what is truly important and necesaary in our lives. It's time we rethink our values and ethics individually and as a society, and most importantly now is the time to open our minds and be creative, and be human. Now is the time to help each other.

now is the time to support local

Most of us live our lives focusing on convenience or rather what we call "one-stop" everything. Super-markets that offer everything under one roof. Malls that offer shopping, dinning and entertainment.Shops are trying to attract busy customers by supplying or better yet squeezing everything into "one-stop". We hire people to babysit our kids, read and play with our kids, all for the sake of "convenience"

When I first moved to Greece I was unemployed and of course this meant I had  lots of time on my hands. So I watched people, the housewives, the grandparents. and what  I observed was that their day was different from what most of us are used to.

By 8am they are already out the door.First stop the bakery for fresh bread, and no they don't buy bread to put in the freezer for a month, they buy fresh bread every morning. Next step the butcher who every day greets his customers with a huge smile and is more than willing to give cooking tips and advice to his customers.Next stop the local grocer, who always puts extra vegetables in your bag just because he likes you, and  if the bags are heavy offers to have them delivered to your home.Last our favourite deli where my youngest son is always encouraged to help himself to kalamata olives or a slice of his favorite salami.

In one morning they have exchanged conversation and human contact with so many people.They say simple words  like  goodmorning....how are you today.....how are your kids..Of course their is.no pressure at the check-out counter (like the supermarket) because there aren't 10 people behind you in a hurry to go somewhere else.....

That is the key..the somewhere else.  Let's go back to basics, let's talk to people, support your local shop even if you pay just a little extra. Don't forget the small shops can't buy the massive quantities a super market can, we have to support the local economy....and above all you can't put a price on human contact..

Say goodmorning to someone today...get to know your neighbours..stand by each other...!!

- originally posted Oct2010

Greek Saffron...

Most of us think of greek cuisine basically as souvlaki, tzatziki and moussaka. Don't get me wrong I think a souvlaki is one of the greatest, and cheapest fast food fixes you can get., but defining greek cuisine is a lot more complicated than that. Greek cuisine is a culmination of regional cuisines, amazing local products and  many talented, and wonderful  chefs and amateur cooks keeping our culinary traditions alive. Every chance I get I will introduce to you some of these exquisite products as well as to some unique recipes from different regions of Greece.

Today I want to mention the Greek producers of Saffron or Krokos Kozanis in Greek. Did you know the Saffron produced in Greece  is considered one of the best in the world?

Saffron or "krokos"  is produced in Kozani in northern Greece. The only place in Greece, and one of the few places in Europe where saffron is cultivated. The town was named Krokos, from the Saffron producing flower, the crocus sativus. The climate conditions , the cultivation method used, as well as centuries of experience explain the fine quality and characteristics of Krokos Kozani.

With respect to quality, seriously this saffron is one of the best, and still reasonably priced campared to other saffron from other parts of the world.

Saffron was also used in ancient Greece, Egypt and Rome for its medicinal benefits. It is said to protect your eyesight, as well as having super anti-oxidant properties.

Saffron Tea Recipe:

 
3 cups of water

12 strings of Saffron or Krokos Kozanis
plus the tea of your choice
let simmer for about 5minutes..sieve and serve plain or with honey.

..interesting note: Did you know...In Greek mythology, the mortal Crocos fell in love with the nymph Smilax. Smilax rejected his amorous advances and turned him into a beautiful purple crocus flower....!!

Going back home...

Going back home...

Simple words that say everything and nothing at the same time. Can we ever really go back home or do we just try to hold on to memories and glimpses of our past. A little nostalgia and a lot of curiosity. It doesn't really matter though does it? Whatever the case may be, I desperately want to experience and remember even for just one moment, the combination of events or ingredients that made me who I am  today. That secret, complicated recipe that most of us cannot ever remember because we never really had a recipe. We just added, removed and changed ingredients as we went along. Some times we even just threw everything out in anger .....right in the bin!! Then somehow we found the strength to start all over again....from scratch!

Life is like cooking isn't it. To some it comes easy to others its just a bore and yet to others its a private path to creative expression..and to some lucky few its Passion. Passion for people, for cultures, for music, for tastes, for aromas, for friendship, for human contact....a passion for life.

How do you add passion to your food or your life for that matter. Is passion an ingredient that can  be added at will. Of course not, but what you do need is an open heart and an open mind. You need to look at fear in the eyes, respect the journey you've been on for so long together..and let go. Just smile and let go!

Spices and people

Have you ever tried cooking without salt. Sure its doable if the doctor orders it, but the food goes nowhere except necessary consumption. Well I have come to realize that people are like spices. There are some people that do nothing for us and there are others that can take us to places beyond our imagination. Some people are soothing to us like a warm cup of tea during a cold winter night, others can overwhelm us with their strong presence, ....and others just leave a bad taste in our mouths, our lives.

So the question here is what do we want. Do we want  balance in our food, in our lives? Does balance create harmony? Should we never experience the heat of a chilli pepper, or the excitement of a love that is clearly not "good for us". It will throw us off-balance but should we really care?
Or is balance an acceptance of low key - don't stir the waters  people, food, or lifestyle for that matter. Or does it all depend on the day, the month, or our mood. Some spices or people suit us at different times in our lives. It's strange the older I get the more enticed I am by interesting characters that have managed to keep their uniqueness amongst all the pressure of the melting pot of shallow values that surround us.

Should we start cutting down on salt, sugar and spice because the years are rolling along and by doing this add the unnecessary stress that comes with controlling your diet. Or should we relax savour our food, our loves, our life our bodies and maybe this view of life will help our bodies and minds stay balanced.

Cooks for years have  known that the secret to good cooking is a dash of sugar in your food and a dash of salt in your desserts. That extra something that takes your food from just good to simply irresistable.

suggestions:
add 1/2 teaspoon of sugar to your tomatoe sauce ( classic)

try adding a dash of cayenne pepper to your hot chocolate ( old mexican recipee)

have you ever cooked meat with fruit ( sweet and sour classic)

add a dash of salt when baking a cake (noone can figure out why it's so special)
                  
Use your sense of smell when you cook, smell a spice and just try to imagine how it can turn your food into ecstacy.

Balance comes sometimes from unusual combinations, from opposites (they attract they say) and great things come when you are not afraid of making mistakes, when you are not afraid to experiment.

.....and finally harmony comes from living life to the fullest.

5 senses cook: RAKOMELO

5 senses cook: RAKOMELO: "I want to share a well known, tiny, little secret with all my dear friends. Rakomelo. For my none greek friends rakomelo is derived fro..."

5 senses cook: "Fakes" or lentil soup....and High School!!

5 senses cook: "Fakes" or lentil soup....and High School!!: "Let's go back to my high school days in Montreal. Those were the days. Noone could pronounce my name..Pa..na...giota..that sounds &nbsp..."

RAKOMELO

I want to share a well known, tiny, little secret with all my dear friends. Rakomelo. For my none greek friends rakomelo is derived from a heavenly partnership between Raki or Tsikoudia (Cretan spirit which could be anywhere from 30 - 90% alcohol also known as fire-water) with Cretan thyme honey (meli in Greek) . Add some cinnamon and cloves, as well as patience and anticipation and the end result will warm your heart and soul beyond anything you have imagined.

Raki + Meli = Rakomelo

Recipe for 4 shots

4 shots raki or tsikoudia
3 teaspoons honey
2 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick

Place all ingredients in a small pot or greek coffee pot (briki). Let the mixture simmer gently over low heat ( till honey melts 2-3 minutes).  Cover for a a minute so the aromas can develop. The alcohol, honey and spice will mingle into a devine, heart-warming drink you will never forget.But please be very careful to not, repeat NOT  place the mixture near an open flame....very flammable!!

The sweet scent of cinnamon and cloves combined with warm raki will melt any cold, distant heart.

Try it .It is an unbelievably soothing winter drink.

The Artist

The day seemed the same as every other day,  the sun rised at the same time and  people outside his window were scrambling to get on with their business. Nothing was the same for him though,everything was painfully different. Someone had pressed the mute button,...silence. All he could hear was his heart beating. The numbness took over his body. He had no more money, and no hope for any work in the near future. He was unemployed for a while now.  His days and thoughts were filled with thoughts of how to get some money to make it through to the next day, but today he was too tired to look for work so he stayed home.

He refuses to take money from his friends. He tries to hold onto any pride or dignity he has left. He hasn't had food for two days now, but he tries not to think about it. A few years ago things were better for him, there were always small  projects available so he was always working.  The economic crisis, along with an unexpected illness and everything came to a sudden stop. No more work ! Now it feels like everyone is moving forward but he's standing still......going nowhere.  He tries never to complain though, he knows he lived his life fully, at times recklessly, and he lived his passions to his hearts content. He is an artist and has always been generous with his heart, his work and with his money.

But being an artist is both a blessing and a curse. Is there room for artists during an economic crisis?  Is art a"luxury" we can't afford right now?  Imagine that, a world where art is of secondary importance. Think of our childrens wonderful, free imaginations gone to waste, not needed. Should we teach our kids to think practically rather than draw the sun purple with sunglasses?

Produce, lower the deficit, spreads, even my 80 year old mother talks about spreads...what the hell is a SPREAD!!!   All of a sudden the artist has to think practical, efficient, cost effective and finally ....sterile. The truth of the matter is the artist doesn't fit anymore. Someone once said to me,  "artists don't see life differently, they see life correctly". She's a very talented painter, but cleans houses to feed her family.

So this is how it is. I started writing this blog because I love to cook and I wanted to express this love. The  problem I have though is that with every great love comes pain. The pain that comes from life and the reality around us. Have you ever thought that we are leaving a world to our children where hunger is constantly increasing. We wanted so much material wealth that we actually borrowed  from our childrens future.  Every real cook, and I mean a person who cooks from the heart has a deep need to feed and nurture people. How do you nurture peoples souls, or peoples dignity.?

My dear friends, how many of you would beg or steal to feed your kids? Not easy to answer ......or is it?

So today I humble myself and feel very grateful for all the everyday small pleasures my kids can enjoy.

Once upon a time.....

Once upon a time in a land far far away lived a boy with eyes full of wonder and adventure. He lived in a land which was cursed by silence. No one spoke, no one sang, and no one whispered. He was so saddened by this, that one day while his family was sleeping he packed his bag, kissed his family goodbye and left in the middle of the night.

He travelled far and during his travels he came to a forest with very big trees and  strange sounds coming from inside. He was so happy though to hear sounds, instead of silence, that he wandered inside without realizing he had gotten lost. The trees were so big they hid the light of the sun. Now there was total darkness! At first he was scared but he grew to like the darkness, it was the silence he hated. So he thought hard and decided to stay in the forest and help those who lost their way in the darkness by speaking the most beautiful words of kindness and love to them. His words were so beautiful, the land of darkness no longer seemed dark for the lost. The boy's words soothed the lost souls so much, they eventually found their way out of the darkness.

One dark, rainy day a girl wandered into the forest. She was lost and scared and sat all alone crying. The boy heard the cries echo in the darkness, he hid behind a tree and saw a beautiful girl with long black hair and beautiful black, sad eyes. He was taken by her beauty but he was too afraid to show his face.  From the distance he whispered words of beauty, words of wisdom and finally words of love. At first the girl was afraid and thought she was dreaming. One day though the words were so magical that her heart started beating faster and faster, her soul flew further than she had ever imagined. She was deeply and totally in love. So strange though, she had never, ever seen the boy..she was in love ....with his words.

The boy though grew weary and scared of this love and one day as he heard other sad voices in the forest,  he left the girl alone in the darkness. He never returned.  The words suddenly stopped. The girl desperately tried to find the words but all she found was silence. Silence deeper than the night. The girl cried and cried and cried and cried. The tears flowed for days until one day there were no more tears. The tears had fed the earth with love and passion and pain ...so much pain. The earth wanting to repay the girl, caressed the girl and gave her bountiful and wonderful fruits of passion, berries the color of blood and wine to soothe her soul. The girl was so pleased to see the beauty that came from her tears that she found her way out of the darkness and went back home.  She began to put this magic from her tears, from her soul in her cooking, in her life and since then has never stopped creating magic!!