Category Archives: adelaide

Greek Food For Sharing

I’m super excited to introduce my latest cookbook to you,  Greek Food For Sharing; recipes that nourish the soul.

It’s filled with mouthwatering authentic Greek recipes that will tantalise the tastebuds. Take a journey through the pages of this beautiful book brought to life by evocative images that capture the beauty and sophistication of the Mediterranean and the unique flavours of Greece.

Think homemade filo pastry, Rozedes, Paximadia, Yemista, Moussaka and Pastitsio in both tradtional and vegan version for times of Lent, plus a vegan Mageritsa especially for Easter. My aromatic cinnamon rice is a family favourite, and I share with you the absolutely best Avgolemno soup, plus so much more!

Greek Food For Sharing continues the celebration and benefits of the Mediterranean Lifestyle. There is something for everyone including pescetarians, vegetarians, vegans, and of course those who enjoy the classic and delightful flavours of traditional Greek cuisine.

Get yours now!

Australian residents – signed copies of my book are available at these amazing stockists:-

Avenue Bookstore, Albert Park, VIC

Avid Reader, Queensland

Caras, Oakleigh, VIC

Dillon’s Bookshop, Norwood, SA

Dymocks Books, Rundle Mall, Adelaide

Dymocks Books, Glenelg, SA

Dymocks Books, Hyde Park, SA

Greek Bilingual Bookstore, NSW

Hill of Content, Melbourne, VIC

Mostly Books, Mitcham, SA

Mykos The Gift Collection, NSW

Norwood Garden Centre, SA

Once & Again Book Cafe, Plympton, SA

Omega Foods, Hindmarsh, SA

The Greek Providore, NSW

ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE LINKS BELOW

The softcover is available at Amazon Australia here.

The eBook on Amazon is available here.

The softcover is available on Amazon for those living in the US, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Japan, and Canada. Place your orders here.

Any Given Thursday – a memoir by Eugenia Pantahos

Any Given Thursday – a memoir by Eugenia Pantahos

Last year on a Thursday evening in Frankfurt, Germany, I launched my memoir Any Given Thursday from my hotel bed. Only after I had hit ‘upload’, did I realise just how serendipitous that was.

Any Given Thursday is a book about friendship. It’s a story of a woman with a beautiful heart, a generous spirit, a diagnosis, and a battle that would become insurmountable. It’s a book about life and love, about dedication, about facilitating a journey, and the inevitable surrender. It’s about making a difference, showing up, having courage, and always remembering.

The eBook for Tablet, Phone and Kindle is now available here.

Paperback available here.

 

The story in this book is so close to my heart, and because of that, part proceeds will be donated to various causes as a way to give forward to those who are doing it tough. Help me to make a difference!

I’m thrilled to share with you just some of the reviews of Any Given Thursday.

REVIEWS

“I managed to read ‘Any given Thursday’ on a wintry day. Couldn’t put it down!! Thank you for allowing us into your personal and family life. Such a truly inspirational memoir of friendship.” – Emerald

“I just finished reading ‘Any Given Thursday’ and wanted tot hank you for sharing such a beautiful and personal story. I was personally touched by your expressiveness and connection to your beautiful friend as well as they way you’ve highlighted the importance of family and traditions! I have no doubt in my mind that AK is looking upon you with a smile every day for the beautiful family you have raised and the gifts that you have bestowed on all of us around you.” – E McD

I’m Eugenia Pantahos, and I thank you for reading my post!

xoxo

Learn the secrets of the Mediterranean Lifestyle

Learn the secrets of the Mediterranean Lifestyle

You may wonder what all the fuss is around the Mediterranean Diet. I’d like to share the secrets behind this way of living, and why in some parts of Greece, people enjoy longevity and good health well into their 90’s and beyond 100.

Firstly, it’s not simply a diet. More than that, it’s a lifestyle. It’s about choosing the freshest in season fruits and vegetables, enjoying a small quantities of nuts and dried fruits, generous amounts of olive oil, a glass or two of wine, multiple servings each week of legumes, two to three servings of seafood a week,  and very limited dairy, red meat, and poultry.

Correctly observed, the Mediterranean Lifestyle also incorporates times of fasting. As a rule each Wednesday and Friday, plus forty days before Easter, the first 15 days of August, 40 days before Christmas, and some other dates in between. That adds up to over 200 days of the year where no dairy, meat and poultry is consumed, and on some of these days oil and wine are also not consumed.

Aside from the food, the Mediterranean Lifestyle encompasses having fun, being socially connected, laughter, dancing, gentle exercise by way of walking, gardening or dancing (did I say fun?), sipping a Greek coffee served in a demitasse cup, enjoying a couple of glasses of wine, and basking in the company of family and friends.

Greek Life a celebration of the Mediterranean LifestyleThese lifestyle choices are at the core of my book award-winning book Greek Life. If you love Greek food, and admire Greek culture, be sure to order your copies from Amazon. Click on this link to order my books.

Greek Life belongs in the homes of families for whom Greek culture means something.

I’m Eugenia Pantahos, and I thank you for keeping the celebration alive.

xox

When Greek Life is the Gift to Give

When Greek Life is the Gift to Give

At my local supermarket Just last week I bumped into a young man who I’ve known for some years. He was so excited to share with me that he was one of the recipients of my book Greek Life at an award ceremony at the 2018 Glendi Festival. It made my day to learn that Greek Life was presented to the students for them to carry the torch of Hellenic culture with them into the future. Here’s the excerpt from the Adelaide High School Newsletter:

GLENDI GREEK FESTIVAL… OPA!

This year’s Glendi Greek Festival coincided with Greece’s National Day, March 25. To mark 40 years of the festival, it was moved to the heart of the city at Victoria Square. Here, our students’ Hellenic spirit was celebrated; our Year 12 students were awarded certificates for their service and dedication to their language learning and were presented a book, The Greek Life, written by Eugenia Pantahos by The Foundation of Hellenic Studies and The Greek Teacher’s Association, Year 9 and 11 students served dignitaries at the official opening function, and Year 8 and 9 student work was displayed in the school’s marquee.

Throughout the festival, Adelaide High Students represented the school and their culture proudly. Many danced in traditional dance troupes and volunteered in the food stalls for their community groups. The highlight, however, was witnessing many second and third generation migrants reveling in the atmosphere, dancing to the international acts and embracing Hellenism.

Ms Dimitra Rozaklis | Teacher of Greek

Greek Life now available at Wallaroo and the Riverland

Greek Life now available at Wallaroo and the Riverland

I’m super excited to have met the lovely Jane who has opened a pop-up shop in the seaside township of Wallaroo.

You can find Villa34 just outside the new Foodland in the mall, and if you step inside this lovely little store you will be amazed by the wonderful range of beautiful homewares, fashion, coastal themed decor, and of course you can get your signed copies of Greek Life.

Villa34 has a bricks and mortar store in the Riverland at Barmera as well as the pop-up store that is located at Wallaroo for the summer.

I’m so happy to have met Jane, who is a kindred spirit, and is deeply passionate about home styling, interiors, and fashion, and I’m proud to have my book Greek Life stocked in her seaside pop-up store and at Barmera in the Riverland.

Take some respite from the heat of the day to be inspired by this lovely shop that is so conveniently located.

 

Do drop in to see Jane to get your signed copies of the Gourmand award winning book Greek Life, and to get something special for your home.

Support local. Buy local. Support those who support me.

Happy holidays!

Eugenia xx

 

Gourmand Cookbook Awards – Australian Competition

Gourmand Cookbook Awards

I have some amazing news, actually its really, really exciting news that I’m just bursting to share with you.

Greek Life a book about family, culture and foodMy book titled Greek Life (family, culture, food) won two, yes, two categories, one for MEDITERRANEAN and the other for SELF-PUBLISHED, in the prestigious Gourmand Cookbook Awards national competition for Australia. This is a defining moment in the journey of Greek Life and for me, as a first time author.

My self-published book that was put together with so much love and with a vision to pass forward the beautiful and meaningful Greek traditions and mouthwatering recipes, threaded together with the story of family, thought inspiring philosophy and full colour photography, will now compete in Gourmand International Cookbook Awards in the same categories against other countries for the Best in The World.

As a Greek Australian cookbook writer and publisher I could only have imagined the journey that would transpire, from being a freelance contributor to a magazine, the recipient of a leadership scholarship, and and invited MC and speaker at various events, and now the recipient of the Gourmand International Cookbook Awards in Australia.

Having come this far with my journey as an author of a book that I envisioned to be the best book on Greek culture to exist, is amazing, but to be acknowledged in this way is even more amazing.

Eugenia Pantahos and Greek Life a book about family, culture and foodNow I’m waiting for the Gourmand Cookbook Awards certificate to arrive together with those lovely red stickers with the words ‘winner’ that I can proudly place on my book, but I think I’ll place them on the first page, beside my signature!

Greek Life is a high quality hardcover edition that is now in its second and final print run. That means stock is limited, so now is the time to place orders for this keepsake edition. It is a beautiful and meaningful gift for those for whom Greek culture means something, the foodies, the cooks, the thinkers, the travelers, and the coffee table book lovers. Order your copies at my online shop or email me.

Wish me well in the International competition.

Fingers crossed!

Eugenia xx

 

Adelaide Dinner – The Idea of Love

ADELAIDE DINNER EVENT

Let’s explore the meaning of love, the ideas held by ancient philosophers, and what it means in our modern world. Come to join the discussion over a 3-course meal, glass of wine and tea/coffee. Bookings essential. Limited Places. Book now!

Adelaide Dinner - The Idea of Love

Greek Kolliva Recipe for Honoring Our Loved Ones

Greek Kolliva Recipe for Honouring Our Loved Ones

My father has been remembered at a 9-day memorial service. As is traditional in a Greek Orthodox Memorial Service, there is some preparation required. My sister baked the Artos Bread and I prepared the Kolliva, that special Greek recipe prepared for honouring our loved ones,  and these were all blessed and served at a short family service at the cemetery.

Greek Kolliva are especially prepared for honouring those who have passed, symbolizing the circle of death and rebirth.

Kolliva Mixture

Boiled clean wheat, raisins, currants, walnuts, almonds, pomegranate, parsley, cinnamon and cloves are mixed together and then covered with ground toasted sesame seeds and topped with a layer of loose icing sugar.The kolliva, that represent the promise of eternal life, are then decorated with the initials of the deceased and other motifs.

Decorated Kolliva by Eugenia Pantahos 
There is something quite reverent in preparing the Artos bread, the Prosfero Bread (to take to Church), and the Kolliva, and my family have honoured my mother over the last 7 years in this way, and now we are honouring our father. Memory Eternal.
Artos Bread and Kolliva Eugenia Pantahos
Explanation of traditions together with recipes can be found on pages 172-179 of Greek Life. You too can learn step-by-step how to honour your loved ones, be it for the 40 day, 3 month 6 month, 9 month or 12 month memorials.
Greek Life is available at my online shop, and from my national stockists.
With love and remembrance for my dear parents.
Eugenia xx

Farewell to our Patriarch

Farewell to our Patriarch

John DesyllasThe photo to the left is my father sitting on a bench in Elder Park, Adelaide the day after he arrived in Australia, having left my mother and their three children in Greece to seek opportunities in Australia. He is a man filled with hopes and dreams. Circa early 1956.

With hard work, sacrifice, and a vision for his family, and with much dedication, a life was created in Australia, and it would take six and half year before my mother and their three children would be reunited.

We benefited from the choices and sacrifices my parents made, and have made them proud and happy. Together they lived a full life with their family, their community work, and lots of travel and shared experiences catching up on the lost years.

The days after my father passed away, we received over 120 people into his home where as a family we received condolences. As is customary in Greek Orthodox tradition, those visiting brought jars of Greek coffee, bottles of Brandy, and plates of Paximadia (Greek Lenten Sweet Rusks). These offerings help the family cater for the many visitors who will want to visit the grieving family, and also come in useful for serving at the wake and other memorial services.

John DesyllasWe have farewelled our father to a standing room only service at St George Greek Orthodox Church and afterwards the wake and celebration of his life was held at the Elion Society “Olympic Flame’ Hall, where he was a founding member and has served the community continuously for 45 years. Over 320 people came to the hall to share in a meal, drink to his memory and to honour our father.

He was a loved and devoted father of 5, adored pappou of 17, and a cherished great-pappou of 22. A true gentleman, a patriarch, a father and a friend ❤

As a family we are honoured that so many people came to pay their respects, and some travelled from far away and interstate to do so.

He will be missed deeply.

Eugenia xx

A Moment I Will Cherish

A Moment To Cherish

On Saturday I lost the man who raised me, a father who was also a friend. A man who dedicated his life to his family and to his community. A man who warmed the hearts of those he met. A man who embraced life. A man who shall always be remembered. A man whose life we will celebrate. To us he was baba, dad and daddy, to his grand-children he was papou, to his great-grand-children he was papouli, to his friends he was file (friend) and Kirie Yiannis ❤

A moment I will treasure foreverThis moment is one that I will cherish forever; my father reaching for my hand the day before he passed away.

He is now reunited with my beautiful mother ❤

Memory Eternal John Desyllas
1927 to 2017

For those who have my book Greek Life, the photo of my dashing father sitting on a bench can be found on page 22. This photograph was taken at Elder Park in Adelaide, the day after he arrived in Australia; a man filled with hopes and dreams. Circa early1956.

Many of my readers have reached out to me sending their condolences, and letting me know that they have re-read the chapter on the Story of Family and New Beginnings, providing a renewed inspiration from my parents incredible story.

My heart has a place that belonged to my father, and his memory shall always be eternal. I take comfort in the meaningful and fun relationship we enjoyed, for his guidance, sense of humour, lessons shared, and how he exemplified a dignified life through actions that represented his core values. My life is richer for having a father like mine, my children’s lives are richer for having a grandfather who was active in their lives. He will live on forever in our hearts and in our memories.

Eugenia xx