Greekish: Everyday Recipes with Greek Roots

The “ish” in the title of Chef and author Hayden’s (Nistisima) cookbook refers to her latest collection of traditional Greek- and Cypriot-inspired recipes that take a fraction of the traditional cooking time. Hayden offers meals and snacks designed with the Old World in mind but with a more modern approach appropriate for the busy home cook. With these selections, it’s easy to see the influence of historical occupations and neighboring countries—Macedonia, Lebanon, and areas of the Middle East all play a role—on the foods and flavors of both Cyprus and Greece. The book is divided into seven sections: “A Good Start,” “Small Dishes and Snacks,” “Everyday Heroes,” “Things on Sticks,” “Feasts,” “Salads, Sides and Vegetables,” and “Sweet Tooth.” The dishes run the gamut from burnt-butter eggs and goat cheese, to fried sesame cheese bites, or the epic slow-roasted 30 garlic lamb shoulder. There are homages to baklava and spanakopita, along with several recipes inspired by both of the classic dishes. Sample menus at the end round everything out.