Greek Chic Cuisine by Stephanie Patsalis

Stephanie Patsalis, is well on her way to becoming a culinary arts star, in modern Greek cuisine. Her new cookbook, Greek Chic Cuisine, is inspired by her Greek heritage and infused with love. Patsalis’ sophisticated and charming personality is gravitating, which is probably why Emmy Award winning producer, director and friend, Nick Furris of Spectrum Films, suggested to do a cooking DVD with her. “He said first I need to write a cookbook, and to my surprise it took much longer than I thought, and I really enjoyed every step of the process,” she told us. 

The recipes, which Patsalis calls “Mediterranean made easy,” are divided into chapters for breakfast, appetizers, entrées and dessert, and are accompanied with beautiful photography throughout. Included you will find classic recipes in their original form, and contemporary recipes such as Gyro Lettuce Wraps, Baklava Pancakes, and Ouzo Chocolate Cupcakes.

As a native of Omaha, Nebraska, Patsalis grew up in a large Greek family, where the kitchen was the heart of the home. Since then, her passion for creating recipes led up to the opening of The Cooking Club Inc., a make-and-take gourmet food kitchen, which paved the way for a gourmet food catalog, catering company, instructional cooking classes for the home and most recently GreekChicCuisine.com, where you can read her blog and watch instructional cooking videos.

Greek Chic Cuisine will help you add a contemporary touch to traditional Greek food, and best of all it’s simple and healthy.

To buy Greek Chic Cuisine, visit www.GreekChicCuisine.com, Amazon.com (National and International) or Barnes and Noble.

You have traveled extensively and lived in Minneapolis, New York and Tokyo. How do you think Greeks/Greek food compare throughout the world? Most major cities have so many Greek restaurants to choose from, especially in New York where there are taverna style and super high end Greek restaurants. Michael Psilakis has opened up Anthos and Kefi, giving two different types of presenting Greek food, which inspires me.  I think the Mediterranean diet is so widely accepted and healthy, that most people enjoy eating at Greek restaurants.    

Could you tell us about the research for your book? What did it involve? I have always had a passion for creating recipes for our “make and take” kitchen school for families. Coming up with recipes is a natural creative talent.  After winning the Daisy Cottage Cheese and Lifetime Fitness grand prize winning recipe, I knew that others liked my talent too. The book took more than a year to write, with testing each recipe and professionally taking pictures.  

Favorite recipe from your book? Kalamata Bruschetta and Salmon Purses.

You are the mother of two young girls. Any advice for mothers who want to pass down Greek culture/cooking to their children?   Enjoy cooking and experimenting. Greek food is easy and healthy. The kids like playing with filo and buttering it as if they are painting. That is how my children started, by playing.