Click here to view our pdf of BS Feast Magazine November 2011 “Top of the Class”
The Article discusses Sydney’s first exclusively Greek cooking school, Greekalicious.
It features some of Maria Benardis’s recipes from her various cook books.
Many of the recipes are in her books and eBook discussed below.
My Greek Family Table
More than 100 Greek recipes, updated for the modern home cook.
Greek dishes have influenced other cultures for thousands of years. The dishes and preparation are simple; the taste, divine. In My Greek Family Table, Maria Benardis describes her summers of cooking at her grandmother’s elbow on the Greek island of Psara, and places an emphasis on eating for health and well-being. The foods of ancient Greece are as relevant—and delicious—as ever, showcased in recipes such as:
• Barley and Pomegranate Salad
• Chicken with Herbed Feta Crust
• Lamb with Avgolemono (egg and lemon sauce)
• Hippocrates’ Spiced Wine
The recipes in MY GREEK FAMILY TABLE feature an abundance of vegetables, healthy fats, and wholesome ingredients, and there is healing wisdom throughout the book as well as a glossary of the “Healing Ingredients of Greece” to show readers how to choose ingredients to treat ailments.
Written with passion and beautifully photographed, My Greek Family Table is a personal invitation to experience all the depth and flavor of Greek cooking and the wonderful spirit of kerasma—the offering of food to those we love. The book also includes ancient Greek healing wisdom from Hippocrates and other ancient Greek healers.
She has also released another book/eBook “Cooking & Eating Wisdom for Better Health” (BALBOA PRESS) she awakens people to the ancient Greek wisdoms for cooking and eating for better health and longevity. In ancient Greece they practiced ‘wisdom healing’: using food to nourish the mind, body and soul. “Let medicine be thy food and food thy medicine”. ‘Nature itself is the best physician.” – Hippocrates. Some of this wisdom is explored in this BLOG. In ancient Greece that were many who loved to 200 years old.
In her eBook – A Greekalicious Feast, there are over 60 recipes passed between the generations, you will find some classics such as deep fried calamari, rice pudding, bougatsa, traditional Greek lamb and keftedes, regional dishes from around Greece and some modern adaptations of traditional dishes – Chocolate Loukoumades (Greek doughnuts) and Kangaroo with trahana and honey caramalised onions.
Alongside are detailed notes on each recipe sharing stories, mythology and historical context of the dish or ingredient. Also featured are the healing benefits noted by Hippocrates and other Ancient Greek philosophers. The stories will connect you and take you on a journey of discovery and revelations – a Grecian Gastronomical Journey.
Written with passion and photographed, “My Greekalicious Feast” is the first of a two part series and follows the release of Maria’s published book “My Greek Family Table” (Penguin) which won the GOURMAND world cookbook awards 2009 – Best Mediterranean cuisine book in Australia.
All dishes are cooked with Love and Harmony.