Fabulous Finds - Fabulous Gifts

My first choice is one of the most beautiful (and educational) productions I've seen. Cynthia Daddona hosts this cooking lesson/tour/romantic interlude from the Greek island of Santorini. This 71-minute DVD is as much a travelogue as it is a cooking video. The videography is beautiful, Cynthia is an engaging host, and the recipes are oh-so tempting. A section of the production is devoted to exploring ingredients, and it's fascinating! If you can't take a trip to the Greek islands this year, this is the next best thing! The video is available as a 71-minute DVD, and less expensively, can be downloaded in the 43-minute version to an iPod, cell phone, computer, or TiVo/DVR.

There is no better recommendation for a book than one by the people about whom it is written, and Alexa Ganakos's fabulous book about the history, culture, and food of Greek Chicago is a gorgeous book that has received the highest praise from those who know.

"'Greektown Chicago: Its History – Its Recipes' is a uniquely creative blend of the past, the present and the delicious. It makes a perfect gift and should be on every bookshelf or coffee table of every Greek American in Chicago, as well as throughout the country." ~Elaine Kollintzas Drikakis, Executive Director, Hellenic Museum & Cultural Center in Chicago

The book tells its wonderful stories in photos, words, and recipes from some of the most famous Greek restaurants in Chicago.

Kefalonia is the largest of the Greek Ionian islands and where author and artist Gill Tomlinson pulled off two coups. First, she convinced taverna owners to give up some of their best recipes, and second, she scaled them down to manageable size for family kitchens. Many Greek cookbooks have more recipes (39, including two for coffee), but there are two reasons to love it: the recipes work, and the book contains 350 pieces of art created by the author. It's in soft cover because, as Tomlinson explains, it makes more sense for the kitchen, but I would love to see this one day as a hard cover coffee table book!

Notes:

• Measurements are metric;
• Shipping/handling might be high since U.S. orders will be sent from Greece.

(Book: US$ 27.00)

Demeter's Pantry is an importer and distributor of unique gourmet food products from Greece, and this is the first Greek food of the month club I've seen anywhere. Although the Club pages don't specify which foods are included, take a look around the site to get an idea of the variety and quality of their goods. I have personally tried just about every product (at least) once, and already have several favorites. Really - who can resist Watermelon & Peach Marmalade? If you have any questions about items that might be included, use the email link on the site. Club memberships are available from one to twelve months.

For the Greek coffee lover, the traditional briki is a necessity. Consider putting together a gift basket with imported Greek coffee (find it at online Greek food shops), a briki and perhaps a set of demitasse cups and saucers. Even for non-coffee drinkers, a copper briki makes a lovely decorative piece.

This terrific idea comes from a site visitor who received an icon of St. Euphrosynos the Cook - the patron saint of all things culinary in the Orthodox Christian faith - along with a cookbook, and she treasures both. This icon will be a meaningful addition to the home of a follower of the Greek Orthodox faith, as well as those who adore Greek cooking. (We celebrate the feast day (name day) of St. Euphrosynos on September 11th every year.)

Know someone who loves Greek food enough to hang photos on the walls? These Greek food photos are a delight. Some are offered in different sizes, and some are already matted and framed. Greek coffee, market photos, bakery pictures, food dishes (maybe something you've made yourself?) and more are available. (Photo at left is one of my own, not for sale.)

A total touch of whimsy, these handcrafted sterling silver earrings are 1 1/4 inches long. From Uncommon Goods, these are really quite beautiful and at first, don't look like whisks at all. But of course they are - and they're a fun accessory for any cook. I'm just making them Greek for this list.

Mrs. Vefa, as she is affectionately called by her millions of fans, is the most well-known (and perhaps best-loved) of all Greek cooks and cookbook authors. She has been teaching us in her books and on television since the 1980s, and her frequent visits to the U.S. have spread her fame. This is a fabulous collection for the Greek-speaker, with classic and not-so-classic recipes, tips, and commentary from a true icon. The set includes 6 volumes, each with 2 DVDs. They're in PAL format, so make sure your DVD player will handle them.

Whether it's a fabulous island trip to the kitchen of a famous Greek cookbook author like Aglaia Kremezi or Diane Kochilas, or a food experience with the champion of Greek efforts in sustainable agriculture and organic food production, Nikki Rose, on the island of Crete, or a week in a Greek country kitchen with experienced traditional Greek cooks, this is the ultimate gift for the Greek food lover. Send your favorite Greek food enthusiast (or better yet, take him or her along) on a trip where food rules. The week-long lessons are conducted in English, and are generally held in summer and autumn. Bookings can be made online and costs do not include travel. Get travel advice from Greece Travel Guide, deTraci Regula to plan the details.