The Mediterranean diet cookbook #blog12daysxmas Day 3

I wasn't quite sure what to think when I opened a Christmas present and saw this book offering to "prevent heart disease and diabetes, and promote sustainable weight loss". However, it soon transpired that I had been given it as a present because it was basically a Greek cookbook and my brother had bought it for me because it combined two loves of mine: Greece and cooking! I can't complain about that.

And indeed it does. Author Catherine Itsiopoulos does provide an introduction about the so-called Mediterannean diet including the dietary differences in Mediterranean countries. All of that provides an interesting context for the eighty recipes included. 

The recipes are called "Traditional Mediterranean" but as befits someone of the author's background they are mainly Greek with a few Italian interspersed. They are divided into seven chapters: Breakfast and Snacks, Dips and Mezedes, Legumes, Vegetables and Fasting Foods, Soups and Salads, Main Dishes, Fish and Seafood, Biscuits and Sweets. 

There are lots of old favourites here plus some with different twists such as deconstructed moussaka. I have been enjoying reading the book and will enjoy trying out some of her cooking ideas.

#blog12daysxmas Day 2 Ikaria

I have posted before about the pleasures of books for Christmas:) I love cook books and cooking and I love Greece and things Greek. So the selection of Diane Kochilas' latest book, Ikaria, as a Christmas present for me was a wise choice by my sister. 

I have a couple of Kochilas' other books which make great reading - and have great recipes too. This one is no exception and focuses on food from the island of Ikaria in the east Aegean. Kochilas was born and bred in New York City but her cultural heritage was Ikarian as her father had emigrated from there to the USA in 1937. 

I have only dipped into this book as yet but know I am going to enjoy reading about the history of the island and its food as well as enjoying the evocative photos. 

Day 2 of the 12 days of Xmas was again filled with much eating and drinking and socializing (this time for Neville's birthday), but at least I am doing a bit of blogging and reading today and hopefully will meet my target of 10k steps:) as well as making progress on several of the books I am reading. Eating, drinking, socializing, reading, walking: these are many of my favourite things.