Tag Archives: Greek Life

Greek Life a Gastronomic Journey

Welcome to Greek Lifestyle!

Greek Life at Hellenic Club Woden Canberra

Get your copies of the hardcover Greek Life now while stocks last!

Last Friday I had the absolute pleasure of being interviewed about my cookbook Greek Life on our very own local radio station with Jo Russell-Clarke right here in Adelaide on Radio 101.5 on the Gastronaut program.

We discussed the inspiration for me writing Greek Life, essentially the story behind the story, memories of food, the wonderful health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet and what it meant to grow up in a traditional Greek home in South Australia.

Of course food was talked about extensively and the way in which it brings family together both in happy times and times when we honour our loved ones, the seasonality of food, and the benefits of eating with the natural rhythms.

Greek Life has been embraced nationally and internationally. It is proudly stocked in over 30 stores nationally within Australia, and at only the best stores in Darwin, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmania, South Australia and Perth. Find the full list of stockists here.

When I first embarked on bringing my book to life, I could only imagine the journey that has transpired. Greek Life was written from a place of love and pure intent, and my readers explain to me that they absolutely do feel the love in my book. I feel so humble and proud that my journey as a first time author has been so well received.

If you would like copies of the exclusive hardcover available only in Australia, then please don’t miss out, as there is limited stock of Greek Life, now in its second print run.

The hardcover book is available to those outside Australia, but will attract a higher postage fee. If interested, its best to email me direct at jeanie.pantahos@bigpond.com

If you’d like to listen to my interview, open the audio link below. I hope you like it.

Eugenia xox

Audio Player

Greek Galatopita

Greek Galatopita – Milk Pie

Welcome to Greek Lifestyle!

Winter is a wonderful time to enjoy a delicious and mouthwatering Greek Milk Pie, known as Galtatopita. You’ll love the aromas of vanilla essence and the creaminess of this amazing milk pie. Enjoyed warm, or chilled overnight, it matters not. Cut this pie into pretty diamond shapes, and place on your most gorgeous cake plate….and then quite simply surrender to the deliciousness that is Galatopita. The recipe can be found in my book Greek Life. You will love this family favourite. Here’s a clip of how to make this sublime Greek sweet.

Enjoy the gastronomic journey!

Eugenia xx

Greek Life – a book about family, culture and food

My journey as an author has been exciting and unexpected. When I first published Greek Life, it was to be a family book to pass on to future generations of my immediate and extended family. It’s become so much more. Now Greek Life is available nationally within Australia and more recently 3 amazing business have added my book to their shops.

I’m thrilled to announce that Greek Life is now available in Hobart, Perth and Darwin! If you live in these wonderful places, I’m asking ‘have you got your copies of the limited edition cultural cook book Greek Life’?

If not, don’t delay. Get yours from Hill Street Grocer in Hobart, Boffins Books in Perth, and Parap Fine Foods in Darwin, and join the celebration that is Greek Life.

Learn about the when, why, and how of Greek culture, all brought together with authentic family recipes, thought inspiring philosophy, full colour photography, anthologies around food, the seasonality and benefits of the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle and so much more.

Visit greeklifestyle.com.au to read to learn more about me and my book, to read Press and Reviews, and find an Australian stockists nearest you.

There is limited stock of this timeless book now in its second print run. Greek Life is a book of the highest quality in not just content but also in presentation. It sits proudly in homes around the globe, so be sure to add it to yours and to join the celebration that is Greek Life!

Eugenia xx

Greek Life and T-Bar Tea Salons

Welcome to Greek Lifestyle,

I love collaborations. Put quite simply I enjoy supporting businesses that I admire and that provide a great product and service. With that in mind, as a winter treat T-Bar Tea Salons, ‘the best tea in town’, have supplied two amazing teas especially for this chilly time of year. This gift with purchase means 12 lucky readers will be the recipients of some truly delicious teas, when ordering the timeless cookbook Greek Life direct from me.

I’m a proudly South Australian author whose book Greek Life has been embraced nationally and internationally. Greek Life celebrates much of the Mediterranean Lifestyle and one aspect is of course the medicinal value of food, spices, and herbs. Collaborating with T-Bar is more than meets the eye. It’s a shared appreciation that there’s nothing quite like a good cup of tea!

Good tea is at the heart of what T-bar Salons do best. A proudly run South Australian family business (we have that in common), T-Bar offers 120 blends and varieties to be enjoyed year round.

Whether its an elegant tea for a fashionable tea party, a fortifying brew over a much needed tete-a-tete, or the magical and wonderfully medicinal benefits of herbal teas, it matters not.

What does matter however is that your favourite tea leaf is sourced direct from the growers, and that means authentic flavours from around the world, poured into your teapot!

Put the kettle on, and savour the moment as you curl up and take a journey through the pages of Greek Life, where by the way, you’ll find more on medicinal teas for health and wellness, plus so much more!

There’s only ONE way to win, and you will need to be quick.

Here’s how it goes…..

Order your copy of Greek Life direct from at jeanie.pantahos@bigpond.com
Australian orders only
Offer ends midnight 31 July 2017
And you’ll be the recipient of some truly delicious tea with your copy of Greek Life.

Spread the word, tell your family and friends, like and share this post, and lets enjoy a cuppa on T-Bar!

Eugenia xoxo

The Yummiest Galatopita

Welcome to Greek Lifestyle!

Last year my youngest daughter and I had some fun filming the making of one of our family favourite recipes, Galatopita, a delicious Greek Milk Pie.

Galatopita is a milk pie, thickened with semolina and infused with freshly grated lemon zest and pure vanilla essence. It is prepared on the stove top until thickened, before the eggs are quickly whisked in and mixed well, and then baked in the oven until golden brown and crisp around the edges.

We loved enjoying this treat, and mum was an expert at making it with fresh home laid eggs straight from the hen house, and lemons picked fresh off of our lemon tree. You really can’t get much better than that!

The aromas of vanilla and lemon would permeate the home, and we knew that we were in for a treat. This milk pie can be enjoyed at room temperature just after its cooled down, and its even better the next day if refrigerated overnight.

Galatopita is pudding deliciousness and the best part is scraping the baked on edges off the baking dish to get the crunchy bits!

What you need to know NOW about Greek Life

A book about family, culture and food by Eugenia Pantahos

The recipe can be found in my book Greek Life, that is currently available as a limited edition HARDCOVER from my Australian stockists or direct from me.

The SOFTCOVER is available at Amazon and you can order your copy here!

Learn more about me and my book, future events, downloading your free monthly calendar, or to arrange personalised autographed books, by visiting greeklifestyle.com.au
If you would like a sneak peak at this short but fun little episode…click on the video below!

But, be sure to put the volume down on your speakers first…the exciting Greek music might give you a startle!

While you’re there, feel free to subscribe to my YouTube account, as I’ll be adding some more demonstrations just for you!

Eugenia xox

Greek Life Soft Cover on the Best Seller List

Welcome to Greek Lifestyle!

I have some AMAZING news to share! I have just learned that my humble, yet beautiful and timeless book Greek Life that was originally written for my immediate family as a personal memoir and cultural cookbook….is sitting at No. 32 at the Best Seller List on Amazon in the category of Greek cookbooks!!

No. 32 is not just one of my favourite scents, but its now the number that Greek Life is sitting at on the Best Seller List…..sorry did I just type that again? I’m really excited!!!

This is a shiny, bright, and exciting little bit of news that has made me feel so proud. You see, Greek Life was going to be a family book, and its not until I had the courage to say ‘out loud’ that I had written this book that peoples positive responses encouraged me to pursue the idea that Greek Life could be a truly valuable book that belongs in families for which Greek culture means something, for Phil-hellenes, for foodies, lovers of culture, the thinkers, the cooks, and those who love photography.

Fast forward just a couple of years, much serendipity, heaps of commitment, a clear vision, loads of strategy and relationship building, and backing myself even when at times the journey seemed larger than life…..and in what some may see as an instant…..Greek Life has been embraced internationally by readers in all corners of the globe. The release of the softcover edition has made it possible for this to happen.

A huge THANK YOU to each and everyone of you, who added my book to your collection. I hope that it means as much to you as it means to the readers who have contacted me to let me know just how they feel about Greek Life. I’m eternally grateful.

Eugenia xox

Time for Tea

Welcome to GL!

I love collaborations. Put quite simply I enjoy supporting businesses that I admire and that provide a great product and service.

As a winter treat T-Bar Tea Salons, ‘the best tea in town’, have supplied two amazing teas especially for this chilly time of year. This gift with purchase means 12 lucky readers will be the recipients of some truly delicious teas, when ordering Greek Life direct from me.

Good tea is at the heart of what T-bar Salons do best. A proudly run South Australian family business (we have that in common), T-Bar offers 120 blends and varieties to be enjoyed year round.

Whether its an elegant tea for a fashionable tea party, a fortifying brew over a much needed tete-a-tete, or the magical and wonderfully medicinal benefits of herbal teas, it matters not.

What does matter however is that your favourite tea leaf is sourced direct from the growers, and that means authentic flavours from around the world, poured into your teapot!

There’s only ONE way to win, and you will need to be quick.

Here’s how it goes…..

Order your copy of Greek Life direct from at jeanie.pantahos@bigpond.com
Australian orders only
Offer ends midnight 31 July 2017
And you’ll be the recipient of some truly delicious tea with your copy of Greek Life.

Spread the word, tell your family and friends, like and share this post, and lets enjoy a cuppa on T-Bar!

Eugenia xoxo

July Calendar

Welcome to GL!

It’s the beginning of the second month of winter, and the beautiful fine weather we have enjoyed has been replaced with grey skies, bare branches, and rain, However, the birds are still chirping as we stay indoors enjoying our gas fire to keep warm.

I do love this time of year. I love the gift of each season, and in winter, I love rugging up with warm coats, scarves, berets, and boots.

It’s a perfect time to enjoy hearty soups and stews, and the abundance of fresh seasonal foods, including our homegrown oranges that we have cut up after a meal, or juiced in the morning with breakfast. Packed with vitamin C, citrus fruits are a great way to ward of winter colds and chills.

Whilst I’m keeping my tootsies warm, I’ve posted a free downloadable and printable calendar complete with an inspiring quote and a to-do-list!

This calendar is a gift from me to you, and will most certainly add a touch of fabulous to your home or office. I love to put mine onto a stylish clipboard so that I can view the month ahead with just one glance.

Get yours here!

Halcyon Days

Welcome to GL!

Just last week I was sitting at a cafe with my father enjoying a cup of coffee and sharing a galaktoboureko (Greek custard and pastry). We were sitting outside soaking up the sun on this late June day, being the end of the first month of an Australian winter. I was explaining to dad that when traveling in Greece a few years ago, I had learned some new words, one of which was Alcyonides.

In Greece, the Alcyonides is the name for the two weeks in winter from just after Christmas to the middle of January, when the skies are clear, the sun shines, and the days are windless, beautiful and calm. This 14 day period takes place 7 days either side of the shortest day of the year.

We were indeed experiencing the Southern Hemisphere Alcyonides whilst sipping our coffee and enjoying our sweet. I was transported to the time when my family and I were staying in Ancient Olympia in the middle of January (northern Winter), and experienced first hand this exact phenomenon, sitting in t-shirts and soaking up the winter sun.

This morning I walked from my home to a cafe at a nearby suburb and again found myself thinking about our holiday, especially with the beautiful winter days that we are experiencing here at the moment. Whilst waiting in line to order my coffee, I thought fondly of our trip as the Halcyon Days. In that moment I had an epiphany that Halcyon was the English interpretation of the Greek word of Alkyonides. There it was, a flash of lightning, a moment of clarity and truth. It was the translation of the Greek word that had been on my mind for the last few days.

In Greek mythology, the Alkyonides were the seven daughters of Alcyoneus who was slain by Heracles. The daughters, in despair, threw themselves into the sea and were transformed into kingfisher birds.

Another myth tells the story of a devoted and loving couple Alcyone (kingfisher) and her husband Ceyx, who sacreligiously called each other ‘Zeus’ and ‘Hera’. This angered the gods, and Ceyx’s ship was struck with a thunderbolt. On learning this, Alcyone threw herself into the sea. The Gods changed them both into Halcyon birds. It is believed that this two week period allowed Alcyone, now a kingfisher, to lay her eggs and make a nest on the beach safely, without wind and waves.

Walking back from the cafe on this beautiful winter’s day, I came across two little birds intertwined on the footpath, playing joyfully, and I thought, yes, these are indeed the Halcyon Days!

Eugenia xx

Taking Greek Life to Canberra

Welcome to GL!

I’ve had a couple of wonderful days in our Capital City, Canberra. It’s the first time that I’ve visited this city, and the aerial view was quite impressive. The people are so friendly, and my taxi drivers were so informative and helpful.

Having been invited to share the story behind my book Greek Life, I was so happy to meet some truly wonderful people who came along to share in my story.

You may remember, that the last blog post was written at Melbourne airport whilst I was waiting for my connecting flight to Canberra. After boarding and settling back in the window seat, a lady named Therese sat at the aisle seat.

Introductions were made, and soon we started chatting and it was truly so lovely to meet this wonderful and worldly lady who was heading back to Canberra to visit her friend and her mum. After learning that I was presenting an author talk, Therese said she was hoping to bring her friend Donna to my event at the Hellenic Club. As you can imagine, I was so truly thrilled to see that both Therese and Donna came along to my talk, and that they went home with signed and personalized copies of Greek Life!

Upon arriving at the Aegean Room at the Hellenic Club, I was also surprised to see that there were people waiting to see me, to chat, and to secure signed copies of Greek Life before the event. A few people purchased one copy, only to come back a few minutes later to buy more.

The Hellenic Club at Woden, did a beautiful job spoiling guests with a delicious buffet of cheese, crackers, and platters of fruit prepared by the catering team, served with a choice of wines or tea and coffee. I also wanted to showcase some of the lovely chocolates made by the iconic South Australian chocolate makers, Haigh’s Chocolates, so guests also got to savour some delicious dark pastels.

After a wonderful introduction by Yiota, it was my turn to share the story of Greek Life, the story of my family, the philosophy, some personal photographs from our family archives as well as images of just some of the food found in Greek Life, based on the principles of the Mediterranean Diet/Lifestyle.

At the end of the presentation, people stayed back and shared with me what the book means to them. The feedback was sincere and inspiring, and I felt so happy to have made meaningful connections with those who came along. After a chat with Yiota, and meeting the President of the Hellenic Club, it was off to bed for me, but not before enjoying a sneaky night-cap (ok…a glass of wine)!

After a restful sleep, and some peppermint tea, I caught up with a family friend for a delicious and healthy brunch at 80/20 on Lonsdale Street. I managed to squeeze in some sight seeing, with my first stop being the National Library of Australia. I signed up to become a member so that I could request that my copy of Greek Life, that was gifted to the Library when first published, could be brought up so that I could have a photograph taken. It was such a beautiful and special moment in my journey so far.

Naturally, this auspicious occasion deserved a little personal celebration. The National Library has a lovely cafe and in the spirit of celebrating in style, I decided to order some sparkling wine (the sign did read ‘press for champagne’) and a serve of a coconut and raspberry cake; scraping off the rich cream cheese topping of course!

It was a little decadent, and I loved every minute of it. This private moment of stopping, acknowledging, and celebrating is just as important as the journey. You see it has taken much dedication, vision, strategy, commitment, and determination to make this happen. To back myself, to live a dream out loud, whilst also being a daughter, sister, wife, and mother to 3 amazing girls.

After my little celebration I continued taking in some of the main sights of Canberra, taking a lovely stroll to the National Portrait Gallery, which is an absolute must visit when in this city. The photo to the left is my own ‘self portrait’ titled ‘Rear Mirror’. A little bit of fun in the ladies; I hope you like it (insert wink)!

I admired the work of some amazing artists and in particular I liked the portrait of Carla Zampatti (Australian Fashion Icon), Paul Grabowski (Musician/Composer), Ronnie Tjampitijimpa (Indigenous Australian), and a tall striking portrait of a judge (the name escapes me). I meandered my way to the National Art Gallery and was captivated by the beautiful composition and shimmering colours of Monet’s Water Lillies, a must do if you’re in our capital city.

On the lower ground floor on the way back to the cloak room I got see some amazing indigenous art, before taking a taxi for a quick stop at the Kingston foreshore for a promenade whilst having a wrap-up phone call with Yiota before heading to the airport to take a direct flight home and be reunited with my family.

If you’re living in Canberra, and missed the talk, or if you did come along and would like more copies of Greek Life, then please visit Yiota Eleftheriou at the Hellenic Club at Woden.

There are limited copies of Greek Life in stock there, and that means you’ll save on the postage and handling costs. So now’s the time to secure your copies. It’s never too early to get your loved ones a timeless and beautiful gift for Christmas, or graduations, birthdays and more!

Thanks for joining the celebration that is Greek Life, and thank you for your continued support!

Eugenia xx