Recipes for the good life
FASCINATED by her Greek heritage and its traditions of cooking and eating, Australian author and teacher Meni Valle has searched out what makes the island of Ikaria so special.
The Greek island of Ikaria in the Agean Sea is considered one of the five locations in the world named a ‘‘blue zone’’, as its people live longer and better.
In blue zones, people are 10 times more likely to reach 100 years old than the general population of the United States.
The reason for this is attributed to being active, having low rates of smoking and eating a diet high in fresh, seasonal ingredients such as fruits, vegetables and legumes and low in meat and processed foods.
In her latest book Ikaria – Food and life in the Blue Zone Valle, who is considered one of Australia’s most respected authorities on Mediterranean cuisine, has searched out traditional recipes from across the island that encapsulate the best of Mediterranean food: vegetables, beans, whole grains, small amounts of meat and fish, a couple of glasses of wine, and plenty of olive oil.
She also includes stories about the people of the island, how they live and about taking time to do so.
When not writing cook books, Valle passes on her love for Greek food in cooking classes and tours to Greece.