One of the best apps to have on your phone these days in my opinion is Google Translate. Especially if you plan on venturing to a foreign country. For me, for the most part, I can read and understand most of the Greek I see. But on occasion there are words or phrases that stump me. The best part is you can just aim your camera with the app on and you get instant translation. Perfect for traveling! For me, I also use it when I am reading recipes. Buying the cookbooks in Greek, helps me to better understand the language and practice my reading and understanding while I am at it. But then hovering the phone over the recipe to ensure I understood correctly is also super helpful. Last summer, before returning home, I bought three cookbooks, all in Greek.
One of the books I added to my already full shelf of cookbooks is one of Akis Petretzikis' Street Food. The recipes are pretty simple and vary in cuisine. So it's not so much a cookbook of Greek food, but a cookbook by a Greek Chef. If you have not heard of him, you should definitely check out his website. While will find Greek recipes to your hearts desire, he also puts unique twists on recipes from all over the world. Of course he also has a YouTube channel and many of his recipes you can watch him make and talk about. Both in English and in Greek.
The next cookbook I stumbled upon, was placed in the wrong section. It was the only one, so either someone placed it elsewhere to come back to it. Or they just carelessly put it on a shelf not wanting it. In any case, I luckily came upon it. My original intention when I went to the bookstore was to locate a book on Greek baking. I was unsuccessful. But this gem was the next best thing really! It's all about making phyllo and other doughs by hand. Along with some recipes where one might use these doughs. I truly haven't used it as much as I should, but a lot of these doughs take much time. And now that I am back to work full time and quite often overtime, along with other activies, my time is more limited. The book is called Pites Apo Heri/Phyllo by hand. While it is available on Amazon, I strongly suggest you just buy a ticket on go to Greece and get it. While you are there you can visit his bakery. The author is Konstantinos Kostakis, and his bakery is Alagrek. I only learned of his bakery once I returned to the US and took the time to really go thru the cookbook and research the chef online. I stumbled upon his IG page where he shares a lot of his work and travels. On my return to Greece this summer, I'll definitely be stopping in to try everything on the menu. In case you can't get to Greece and you would like to see his work, check him out on Instagram here.
The 3rd book I added to my collection I must admit I have not yet used. It's by Greek Chef, and one of three hosts of Greek Master Chef Panos Ioannidis. And the book is all about Risotti. It looks devine, and was worth the purchase even if I use it once every few years. But seriously, I need to give one of the recipes a go. He took can be found on IG here. I always enjoy watching the Greek food shows, not only for the food and ideas, but the more I hear people speaking the better it helps me to improve upon my Greek.
I set out a long time ago to get this blog and website up and running to bring the awareness of all the wonderful desserts and baked goods that Greece has to offer. Like the many islands, there are plenty of sweets, that I am sure I have not yet discovered myself. So this is not just a journey I take you on, but a journey of my own. And while I may not be able to share my thoughts or stories as often as I would like, I am always sharing my bakes on my Instagram page, so come on over and follow my journey through Greece and beyond thru my love of everything baking.
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