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The warmth
and richness of the atmosphere in a Greek kitchen
owes itself to the fact that what is learnt there is
much more than the mere ability to follow the steps
of a recipe. These recipes are passed on in
families, from one generation to the next. It is
through this custom that a sensibility and feel of
the ingredients, a respect for their intrinsic
properties, and an ability to use them creatively,
is acquired. Food is about family values, about
nurturing the people you love and passing on the
invaluable knowledge that unites present generations
to the past. It is a reaction to the modern-day
pressure to discard traditional knowledge in favour
of the fleeting truths of today. It means knowing
who you are, and where you come from. Similarly,
learning an appreciation for the ingredients, and
how to work with them correctly and respectfully,
allows us to understand why healthy, good food is
preferable to the easy, fast food options with which
we are constantly presented. At meal times, and in
the kitchen, people are brought together and we
learn the importance of family ties and traditions.
It is their understanding of this, as well as their
talent and fine aesthetic sensibility that Ketty
Koufonikola and her family bring us in their
beautiful book of recipes that are more than guides
to cooking, they are unique family histories. |
