γιαγια: Time-perfected Recipes from Greece’s Grandmothers

by Anastasia Miari

Time-perfected Recipes from Greece’s Grandmothers showcases regional Greek cookery and features sharing and feasting dishes, mainly vegetarian, from the kitchens of grandmothers across Greece.

Think Stuffed Courgettes from Lesvos, a Cycladic Fourtalia, Corfiot spicy Bourdeto Stew, Ionian pasta dishes, Cretan Dakos salad, Watermelon Cake from Milos. Yiayia  maps out the diverse dishes of Greece — far beyond the most commonly-known Moussaka, Greek Salad, and Tzatziki dip – through the fascinating recipes and stories of its Yiayiades.

Follow Anastasia's journey through Greece as each yiayia welcomes you into their home – cook with them in their kitchen, learn their time-perfected techniques and read the memories that season this book. With stunning location photography and heartwarming interviews, you can discover the true food of Greece and the characterful grandmothers behind beaded curtains in white-washed homes.

"A joyful, delicious celebration of Greece's Yiayias and the wonderful food they quietly, skillfully cook. This book will transport you, warm your soul and make you a better cook. I love it." – Rosie Birkett

Genres: Cookbooks, Food, Nonfiction, Greece, Cooking

255 pages, Hardcover

Published May 30, 2023

Reviews

[Miss✧Pickypants ᓚᘏᗢ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept for this cookbook is a terrific one, it consists of recipes from yaiyais (grandmothers) living in Greece. The format consists of a recipe from and a photo of each yaiyai followed by a few to several paragraphs in their own words. The book does a superb job of capturing recipes from a generation that experienced WWII (and the 1922 migration from Turkey) and a lifestyle pre-internet that will be lost (as has been the case for every generation that came before).

Recipes are rustic and tend to rely on ingredients readily available in the regions where the yaiyais live. Most recipes are relatively easy to follow and while there are photos for most dishes, there are also photos of Greek landscapes and yaiyai's homes. Overall, this book was interesting but more for the yaiyais than the recipes themselves. I rate this 3.5 stars but GRs, no half star options...

Although I greatly appreciate and support what the author is trying to accomplish, at times I felt the choice of "in their own words" used was an unkind disservice to the yaiyais. Without context, many times the blurbs made these women sound simple or like goofy old grandmas.

Through this cookbook I learned a little about how Greek families fled to the Middle East during the WWII Italian occupation. I couldn't help but think there was a bit of a missed opportunity here by the author and wished she had provided more info on this topic and what happened in 1922 regarding the migration from Turkey given many yiayias made references to both.

I was inspired to look up both topics on my own, so full marks for this cookbook sparking my curiosity about world history. If you are also curious about this 1922 migration, it occurred at the end of the Greco-Turkish War in 1922 when they were forced to leave.

[Hannah]

I read and cook from way more cookbooks than I review here, but I choose to identify a few cookbooks when I think they have something culturally significant to say. I love the short, uncomprehensive bios of yiayias on every other page. A cookbook with instructions to forgive and forget? To let other people be themselves? To enjoy growing and cooking and eating together and not insist on much else? I’m down.

[Rosa Paps · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite recipe books, the recipes are delicious and accessibly written, the photos are masterpieces and the stories behind the yiayiades inspiring. So happy this book exists to pass on their legacy.

[Athena Bertolino · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the stories by and of the yiayia’s (grandmothers) in this book. The history, and photography, and essence of the people were so well captured. Unfortunately, most of the recipes were not ones I would be interested in making, and although very traditional, were not common and would be hard to replicate in the USA. Otherwise, this easily would have ended up on my cookbook shelf. As it is, I think of it more as a coffee table book.

[Sophia G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been looking for a Greek cookbook with classic, simple recipes so I can cook at home. A lot of the Greek cookbooks I have try to take on a more modern flair, which makes the recipes more complicated and less authentic/original. I have been looking for something I can use everyday and not need to shop for special ingredients in advance.

Some reviews on Amazon noted this book as "simple recipes and nothing special", however, I find that to be an inappropriate critique of this book because this is a book about grandmothers' recipes, hence the name "Yiayia"- it should be simple and "special" is in the eye of the beholder. When we think of our yiayias, we are not thinking of formally culinary arts trained chefs but rather our grandmothers who grew up during wars (WWII and the Greek Civil War) and before the internet. Many of these yiayias are using their own ingredients or something their neighbor dropped off from their gardens and animals. The author also did the right thing to keep these recipes as these women gave them to her rather than try to doctor them up.

To me, this book is very special and beautiful. Every time I use a recipe, I read the story of a Greek yiayia and it warms my heart and belly! Even my mom, who does not read English well and owns all of the most popular Greek cookbooks (Vefa, Skoura, Petreziki, Botrini, Argiro), enjoys this cookbook very much. She feels nostalgic as she relates story of these very same recipes that she and her mom made when she was a young girl in Greece.

Great book - for me it checks off all the boxes of what I was looking for: simple authentic recipes I can use on the daily and historical and heartfelt, the author is preserving these women in history as modern day life takes over in Greece.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yiayia by Anastasia Miari is a beautifully crafted memoir that captures the essence of her Greek heritage. It is an ode to family, love, and the power of cultural heritage. It highlights the importance of preserving family traditions. Anastasia's ability to transport readers to the vibrant landscapes, rich traditions, and mouthwatering culinary delights of Greece is truly exceptional. I can almost taste the flavours of Greek cuisine, feel the warmth of the Mediterranean sun, and hear the echoes of nostalgic conversations around the dinner table. I can't wait to try some of these beautiful recipes.

[T · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely concept, just wish the profiles of the Yiayias went along with their recipes and that there were more photos of the recipes themselves.

[Magda Tsakiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Μοναδικό

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a stand out, a true treasure! It’s a reminder to all of us Greek Americans of the melting pot that is Greek cuisine. Many of the recipes have Egyptian & Turkish roots, which reflects Greece’s history.

Page after page I couldn’t help but think of my own beautiful Yiayia & the years I spent cooking by her side. The stories & the wisdom of the yiayiades is a joy & a gift. A few of the yiayides even added some unexpected spices & I am not talking about cooking!

My only criticisms are that the women’s profiles should’ve come before their recipes & I wanted to see photos more of the food.

[Rania T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rustic dishes and simple recipes. If you want authentic Greek food (and don't say souvlaki) then this is the book that you will find recipes for them. No one holds as much power as the Yiayia in a Greek family or her resilience. Now onto eating some Pastitsada or Strapatsada....

[Kelly Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely cookbook that's part recipe and part profile of some Yiayias (grandmothers). Gorgeous pictures throughout. Recipes (admittedly by author) aren't precise, so some experimenting is to be expected.

[Angeliki Mourelatou · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your Yiayias food is the epitome of your childhood memories, this book will tear you up in seconds!
Most recipes are common knowledge if you are Greek and you cook, but it's still very much worth it for all the yiayia wisdom and magic!

[Cartoon Dandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most amazing cookbook ever written. The recipes are authentic and the stories of the women are moving. A must read.

[Amanda Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful salve for those missing a Yiayia. We were too young or too full to think to write these things down when we had the chance.

[Dray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grandmothers have a lot to teach.

[Delaney Dixon Sayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading about all the Yiayia’s the author encountered – and the recipes are nostalgic and delicious

[Alaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved picking up tidbits of greek history lived by the featured yiayiades, and trying out some of their recipes during a book club potluck i hosted.

[Konrad · Rating 1 out of 5]

A complete copy of the book written by my neighbor

[Lady Megan Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Among my favorite cookbooks of all time. It’s all a treat.

[Honest Mabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

not for kindle

This is not designed for kindle but the recipes are amazing I am gonna buy it for sure but I wish it was kindle friendly

[Jenina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book with all my heart

“Just enough rain for a good harvest”

[Christina Karvounis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of Yiayia stories alongside their classic and new Greek recipes. Lovely.

[Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bardziej dziennik z podróży po Grecji i rozmów z lokalnymi kobietami tam niż jakieś przepisy, a one same nie są niczym nowym, ale fajny pomysł na książkę, bardzo intymna, miło się czyta