Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this ebook, free of charge, from the Quatro Group via #edelweissplus, , for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it. All opinions are my own
In My Greek Mom’s Recipes, stand-up comedian Gus Constantellis shares family recipes alongside heartwarming stories about his mother, Julia.
Synopsis:
Make classic Greek recipes with a side of humor and heart.
Stand-up comedian Gus Constantellis draws inspiration for his material and online content from his family, especially his mother, Julia, who became a social media star and “Greek mother” for an entire online community. And when she died suddenly in August 2023, that community mourned with him. My Greek Mom’s Recipes is Gus’s deeply personal tribute, a cookbook in which every dish comes with a story about his mother, an immigrant who never learned English yet managed to achieve the American dream. Equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, it offers a comedian’s candid look at grief and family. It will resonate with anyone who’s ever had an overbearing but fiercely loving mother, the kind who expresses affection through food, tough love, and a whole lot of opinions. And the 75 recipes themselves are the real deal—because if there was one thing Julia was known for, besides her razor-sharp humor, it was her unforgettable cooking, including:
- A Greek Easter feast
- Spanakopita (Spinach Pie)
- Tzatziki (Yogurt-Garlic Sauce)
- Pastitsio (Baked Ziti)
- Avgolemono (Chicken Lemon Soup)
- Patates Lemonates (Lemon Potatoes)
- Baklava
- and much more!
These village-style recipes are tried-and-true Greek classics stripped down to their delicious essentials, making them perfect for cooks of all skills. Whether you’re a fan of Greek food or seeking some lighthearted anecdotes, My Greek Mom’s Recipes is a celebration of classic Greek food and culture, and a love letter to mothers everywhere.
Recipe:
I have always loved these cookies and have fond memories of attending the local Greek Church at Easter and being sent home with at least a dozen of them! I'm thrilled to find this recipe, as it tastes just like the ones I remember!
Review:
Part memoir, part cookbook, this book is a lovely tribute to Gus' mother! Greek mothers always show love through food (lots and lots of food, in my experience), so sharing memories with his mother's recipes, just seems perfect! The recipes are for the most part what we would consider comfort food- the food of the old country converted to what can be found in the new one, but with the same taste and spices. There are soooo many recipes in here that brought back lovely memories for me, and finally I have the recipes for the dishes, like the Baked Ziti, the butter cookies and meatballs! I love getting the Greek names for the recipes, as well as the English name, so that you know you're getting the right traditional recipe. A lovely book- it's great to keep and to give!
About the Author:
Gus Constantellis (@constantlygus) is an internationally touring Greek American comedian who has gone viral on social media many times for his funny observations about immigrant culture. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and decided to pursue stand-up after trying it for the first time at a talent show at NYU. Gus’s career took off during the pandemic after impersonating his Greek mother in a wig, subsequently leading him to a national headlining tour in 2022. He was recently featured on Comedy Central and performs in clubs all around New York City. And while he’s amassed almost half-a-million followers across all social media platforms, Gus began his career writing for several children’s television shows, such as The Lion Guard, Rugrats, Princess Power, and Gabby’s Dollhouse.
Comments
Post a Comment