Sea Salt and Honey: Celebrating the Food of Kardamili in 100 Sun-Drenched Recipes: A New Greek Cookbook – A Guide to Traditional Mediterranean Cuisine and Wholesome Provincial Family Culture

by Nicholas Tsakiris, Chloe Tsakiris, Olivia Tsakiris

An enchanting celebration of Greek provincial life—its charming culture and sublime food—captured in 100 delectable recipes and captivating stories from the Greek-American Tsakiris family, accompanied by more than 100 visually stunning full-color photographs by James Beard award-winning photographer Romas Foord.

Sea Salt and Honey is a delightful ode to the rustic lifestyle of Nicholas Tsakiris’ birthplace. Though America has been his adopted country for the last thirty years, he felt himself irresistibly drawn back to his homeland after his two daughters, Olivia and Chloe, were grown. Over the years, Olivia and Chloe too felt the desire to reconnect to their roots. The family now live almost full time on the Mani coast, in a little house nestled in the Taygetos foothills close to Kardamili—a charming village of roughly 450 residents, where a walk across town takes five minutes.  With the abundance of nature and boundless possibilities of ingredients around them, Nicholas, Olivia, and Chloe indulge in their favorite pastime—cooking delicious meals together while sharing family stories. They eventually began to grow their own food, working together to plant and harvest each season’s bounty in their garden. Like many Greeks, they eat seasonally, and most of the recipes they prepare are inspired by the food grown in their own backyard. In an age when retaining your roots, mindful eating, and work-life balance are becoming increasingly rare, Sea Salt and Honey is a reminder of the importance of tradition and a celebration of personal history that combines delicious, healthy recipes with a call to a simpler way of life. Nicholas, Olivia, and Chloe invite you to take a seat at their table, to enjoy the scenic vista of the Taygetos mountain range and the Messinian gulf, as you indulge in hearty, wholesome, and easy-to-make dishes such as:  Smoked Trout and Wilted Lettuce Garden Salad Savory Greek Yogurt Bowls Winter Garden Pasta with Purple Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Sage, and Dried Chiles Grilled Octopus Marinated in Red Wine Vinegar, Honey, and Oregano Lamb Slow-Cooked in the Gastra (Clay Pot) Sea Salt and Honey Chocolate Chunk Cookies James Beard award-winning photographer Romas Ford’s incredible images capture the sense of community and Greek culture that infuse and inspire these dishes. Filled with stories, adventures, memories, and beautiful photographs, Sea Salt and Honey pays tribute to authentic and Greek-inspired cuisine, and is a culinary celebration of a place where the love of the land, of nature, and of a simple but rich life makes you feel at home.  

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction

272 pages, Hardcover

Published May 25, 2021

Reviews

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tried 3 recipes, and the results were problematic for each one, although they all had potential! I would read the recipes as guides, and use common sense alteration.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cookbook looks delicious and the recipes sound delicious. Oregano and other herbs and spices are featured. It is vegetable forward but includes meats, poultry, and seafoods. The writing by this father and his daughters welcomes you to Greece, specifically the culture of Kardamili. I have kept this out of the library for so long I am starting to feel guilty. The sun and the sea and the surprising recipes have helped me through the winter.

Quote from Olivia on page 91:
All of the beaches in Greece are public, and the locals know where to go to find the most delicious edibles.

[Shannon Okey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delicious + inspirational!

I can’t wait to start cooking everything in this book and I’m extremely glad I read it on a full stomach because I would not be responsible for my actions otherwise. Lots of excellent vegetable recipes, which is not always the case, and now I’m eyeing my collection of pots and pans wondering where I could fit a gastra.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just a delightful experience. I like the food that is not far from what I cook, the Greek coastline, the photography, the whole gardens-patios-and-foraging aesthetic, and also the adorable Greek food proverbs at the beginning of each chapter (in Greek and English, to hold my hand so I can sound out the Greek). Enjoyed.

[Marcy Lewis Glover · Rating 3 out of 5]

The photos are amazing and many of the recipes look promising. However, this book would have benefitted from a rigorous testing process. Many of the recipes leave out simple instructions that make a huge difference in the outcome.

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Want to try the Nettle and Spinach Pie, Horiatiki Gazpacho, and the Sunday Chickpea recipes.

[Aasinathena · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Greek island life written down at its best !

[Julie Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

These recipes sound delicious and healthy. I can think of several modifications that will make them quicker and easier, which is a definite plus because I like to minimize my time in the kitchen. 🤣

[Avi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting ideas (particularly on the sweeter side).

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. You will feel like you went to Greece simply reading the pages. But not the traditional islands preferred by most tourists. You will discover a gorgeous seaside area in Peloponnese. If you’ve ever fantasized about moving to Greece to cook fresh meals using local ingredients & meet hospitable locals, as I have, this is the book for you. You will find creative recipes that will inspire you to experiment & mix it up with different cultures. It does not have traditional Greek recipes, but regardless, you won’t be disappointed. One of the best parts of the book are the stories from the authors—a father & his 2 adult daughters. Their bond & love of Greece is palpable & richly expressed like a guest at their family table. I wanted an invitation to their table!