Looking for a bit of escapism? We’ve found just the ticket – it’ll have you in Greece, soaking up the sun, but without the expensive plane ticket…
Capsule x Moa Press
Ok, so I’ve found THE book that I’m going to be re-reading this winter when everyone on my Instagram feed seems to be flitting around Europe – Greece in particular – while I mope around, looking for another pair of warm socks, seething with jealousy.
Because last week, I found another way to escape to Greece.
See, each night I went to bed, I was no longer in West Auckland. No, I could swear to you that I was on a little Greek island where I could hear the clattering of a suitcase being pulled over cobblestones; the smell of a halloumi stuffed flatbread cooling on an oven rack and feel the warmth of Mediterranean sun on my shoulders.
I don’t remember the last time I was this transported by a book, but heck, Erin Palmisano’s brand new book, The Secrets of the Little Greek Taverna had me on the other side of the earth. Erin – a dual US/NZ citizen – is a beautiful writer and weaves together a captivating story covering friendship, travel, romance and a touch of magic.
The action takes place in the small village of Potamia on the island of Naxos in Greece – it’s a magical little place, quite literally, because generations of women in the village have special powers. But not in a cheesy Marvel comic kind of way. These women have subtle little powers harnessing fate and destiny, whether it is being able to bake their feelings into their food or ‘see’ colours and fabrics come to life and whip up the perfect outfit for any occasion without a pattern.
In Potamia – and wider Naxos – we meet a delightful group of different characters. There’s Cressida, who has a gorgeous guest house and taverna that lies empty – it’s never been home to a single guest. Cressida’s husband died suddenly three years ago and the taverna was their dream – she simply couldn’t open it alone. That is, until a young traveller from Los Angeles, Marjory St. James – or Jory, as she calls herself – arrives in the middle of the night and very unexpectedly becomes Cressida’s very first guest.
The women of the little village can feel it – change is coming. In fact, change is here. But what exactly will happen during this magical summer?
If you’re looking for the perfect end-of-summer read – or one to store away for the bleaker winter months – honestly, this book should be top of your list. I couldn’t help but think of fellow Kiwi Nicky Pellegrino’s books as I read The Secrets of the Little Greek Taverna – particularly during the elaborately delicious descriptions of food – so if you’re a fan of her books, I’m sure you will love this little Mediterranean escape too.
Pair it with a treat?
Often when I read Nicky Pellegrino’s books – set in small, beautiful towns of Italy – I find myself yearning for a rich pasta, or a strong coffee served with some sort of a pillowy sweet pastry treat. I know if I’m going to be reading her books, I need to go to the supermarket or deli beforehand and prepare!
So, much in that keeping, to enhance your experience, I’d highly recommend having at least some olives and feta on hand before settling down with a copy of The Secrets of the Little Greek Taverna.
Better still – here’s a few recipes to have on hand or prepare in advance for certain points of the book:
Chapter Two: Fig cake
Erin Palmisano’s description of the fig cake Cressida was baking had me salivating. If you’ve got a bit of time on your hands, here’s a recipe that is pretty close to what Cressida baked – a Fig cake with almond and honey
Chapter Three: Halloumi Stuffed Flatbreads
Simple, but delicious (and potentially life-changing if they’re ones Cressida has made), now is the time to have flatbreads and halloumi on hand, or better still, halloumi and olive stuffed flatbreads.
You can find a recipe for Halloumi Stuffed Flatbreads here, like the ones that Cressida makes. Cressida likes to keep her flatbreads pretty simple, filling them with just olive and halloumi. But, if you want to follow her grandmother’s secret magic recipe, don’t forget this addition:
“Add fennel for keeping one complacent. To repel, switch to spinach and dill.”
Chapter Four: Mediterranean Pasta
If you’re like me and you immediately wanted to eat the signature dish of the beautiful little restaurant Jory visits (and had a run-in – literally – with a very handsome man), then I can recommend this recipe for Mediterranean Pasta with Tuna and Capers.
Chapter Seven: Artichoke salad
It’s not possible to get through this chapter without eating. I recommend trying one of Cressida’s signature dishes: Aginares me Koukia – Greek stewed artichokes with fava beans. Here’s a delicious recipe that is so easy to put together (and is gluten-free and vegan!).
Chapter Ten: Dolmades
A quintessential dish, the women enjoy dolmades along side some shallow fried calamari. Here’s a great recipe for dolmades (a tantalizing mixture of rice, meat and loads of fresh herbs and warm spices all cooked in a bright lemony broth).
Chapter Thirteen: Waffles
If you’re looking for the perfect Sunday morning recipe, make like Cressida and whip up a pot of coffee and homemade waffles with lemon curd, blueberries and cream. Here’s a gorgeous recipe for some similar waffles – they’re blueberry waffles with a lemon curd and cream cheese frosting.
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