The Hellenica

Description:

Ladi Biosas, a masterpiece from whichever angle one sees it. Created organically and by hand, with love, passion, expertise and attention to the finest details at every stage of the process. Nikolaides family’s organic olive groves are nestled in the mountainous and untouched parts of Kalamata’s blessed lands in Peloponnese, Greece, and they’ve been part of the family since 1892. The organoleptic characteristics show a well-balanced olive oil with medium fruitiness , bitterness and pungent. The flavours that emerge are tomato leaves, eucalyptus and a combination of herbaceous and fresh grass taste with a delicate peppery finish. It pairs exceptionally well with fish, meats, vegetables, bread and salads, and it's ideal for every day use too.

Ruth's parents immigrated to Australia from Greece seeking a better life. A Greek at heart, Ruth desired to preserve her heritage by sharing her family's stories and regional specialties of cuisine. Come along this delicious journey through the Peloponnese, Kephalonia, Elefsina and Northern Greece and enjoy Ruth's beautiful photographs of her beloved Greece. A well-stocked pantry ensures the reader is acquainted with Greek produce and the nutritional benefits of Mediterranean eating. Her recipe chapters are divided into four parts: 'Whetting the appetite', 'the saucepan and the pan', 'baked foods' and 'sweet endings'; easy to follow techniques and foods which have been tried and tested. With over 80 recipes (half of which are gluten-free) Ruth has cooked, styled and captured a modern yet nostalgic depiction of her life. Family linens, pictures and serving pieces decorate the pages of this book. She has used the abundance of olive oil and spices to achieve authenticity in both main meals and desserts. From a plethora of authentic recipes inclusive of pastry making, pies, feta flat breads, pickled octopus, rabbit stew, yoghurt making, orange and pork sausages, fennel seed bread, vegetarian moussaka, stuffed tomatoes, okra with lamb, lima beans, cumin meat patties, squid with orzo this book will have you salivating. Not to mention the array of desserts such as pumpkin pie, orange apricot semolina pudding, Easter bread, ouzo cookies, olive oil cake with orange blossom syrup, prune stuffed honey soaked biscuits, mouth-watering sesame salted pistachio rose water baklava, honey donuts, milk pie, spoon sweets and Greek coffee! Segments of narrative are intertwined with recipes, all from a Greek heart!