Greek Generations: A Medley of Ethnic Recipes, Folklore, and Village Traditions

Rating:
Summary: A wealth of identity, history, and more
Review: Greek Generations: A Medley Of Ethnic Recipes, Folklore, And Village Traditions is a combination cookbook, cultural preservative, guide to tradition, and celebration of a Greek cultural heritage. Black-and-white photographs, down-to-earth narration and a wealth of identity, history, and more comprise this fascinating celebration of the Greek cuisine and a robust way of life. After providing a wealth of recipes for sauces and dressings, marinades, appetizers, salads, savory pies, stuffed vegetables, pilafs and pastas, vegetables, soups, meats, poultry, game meats, organ meats, seafood, breads, desserts, preserves and pickles, and beverages, Greek Generations devotes entire chapters to "Greek Cooking for Children"; "Kitchen Techniques"; "The Greek Pantry"; and "The Greek Menu Planner". Greek Generations then goes on to cover Greek superstitions, traditions and legends; holiday celebrations; male and female village roles and occupations, and the Greek ceremonies of marriages, baptisms, and funerals. Greek Generations is especially recommended to the kitchen cookbook collections of those who enjoy multicultural dining experiences in general, and a Greek cuisine in particular.

Rating:
Summary: A culinary and cultural delight
Review: This is the most extensive ethnic cookbook that I have ever seen. "Greek Generations" has over 480 pages of recipes, preparation tips and tricks, and meal suggestions. An exhaustive collection of Greek recipes it includes many recipes for lamb, pork, and beef as well as vegetable dishes, sauces, marinates, desserts and any other food category. It also includes traditional Greek recipes that would be pretty hard to find in any other cookbooks. For example, it includes traditional recipes for fish roe, grilled eel, fried brains, and squid rings. If you have a favorite Greek dish and would like a recipe for it I would be greatly surprised if you could not find it here. Pilafs, pastas, meats, breads (some wonderful bread recipes), appetizers, soups, desserts, drinks, it is all here including my favorites - gyros, souvlaki, and baklava.

At the end of the book Susie Atsaides includes a section on Greek superstitions, traditions and legends. She has done a great job of sharing this fascinating aspect of Greek social customs and history and it is great reading for anyone who has Greek friends or is interested in their traditions. She also has sections on holiday celebrations, different men and women in the village, and common ceremonies. By the time I had finished the book I had a new appreciation for the Greek people and a greater understanding of their history, society, and traditions. Susie Atsaides has opened up her life and family for all to understand and appreciate. This is a very highly recommended read for anyone interested in Greek recipes or Greek society in general, Susie Atasaides effectively welcomes you into her life and makes you feel like a friend of the family.

Rating:
Summary: A culinary and cultural delight
Review: This is the most extensive ethnic cookbook that I have ever seen. "Greek Generations" has over 480 pages of recipes, preparation tips and tricks, and meal suggestions. An exhaustive collection of Greek recipes it includes many recipes for lamb, pork, and beef as well as vegetable dishes, sauces, marinates, desserts and any other food category. It also includes traditional Greek recipes that would be pretty hard to find in any other cookbooks. For example, it includes traditional recipes for fish roe, grilled eel, fried brains, and squid rings. If you have a favorite Greek dish and would like a recipe for it I would be greatly surprised if you could not find it here. Pilafs, pastas, meats, breads (some wonderful bread recipes), appetizers, soups, desserts, drinks, it is all here including my favorites - gyros, souvlaki, and baklava.

At the end of the book Susie Atsaides includes a section on Greek superstitions, traditions and legends. She has done a great job of sharing this fascinating aspect of Greek social customs and history and it is great reading for anyone who has Greek friends or is interested in their traditions. She also has sections on holiday celebrations, different men and women in the village, and common ceremonies. By the time I had finished the book I had a new appreciation for the Greek people and a greater understanding of their history, society, and traditions. Susie Atsaides has opened up her life and family for all to understand and appreciate. This is a very highly recommended read for anyone interested in Greek recipes or Greek society in general, Susie Atasaides effectively welcomes you into her life and makes you feel like a friend of the family.