KALO MINA! It's August and I'm on the precipice of something huge

Kalo Mina everyone,

This is the monthly article in which I share all that I’m in love with in Greece and the Mediterranean right now, including my fave new places to eat, shop, hang out, visit and what I’m cooking. Plus brands I’ve discovered, books I’m reading and generally - how to tap into your slice of La Dolce Vita, even when you’re far from the Med yourself.

Before that though, a quick update from me and where I’m at because I am fizzing with excitement about what is landing with you all in September. For years now I have been trying to have a TV show adapted from my books. The gruelling process of dealing with Hollywood Schmucks is worthy of a post itself but for now all I will say is that I have grown TIRED of waiting around for others to pull off my idea for me. I’ve decided that the generation of my Yiayia need to be captured in their glory, before they’re no longer with us and I don’t have time to spare. Yiayia is 90.

SO I’M LAUNCHING A SHOW ON YOUTUBE.

For the past two months I have been throwing myself into the Yiayia hunt, traversing poky apartments in Athens and mountain villages in Corfu to track down brilliant, characterful women to cook with. I’ve been treated to many a silty Greek coffee, regaled with anecdotes and have had wisdoms bestowed upon me that I would have to live out a lifetime to otherwise acquire. All of this in the kitchens and at the dining tables of some of Greece’s most inspiring matriarchs.

Now I’m in Corfu on summer ‘vacation’ with two babies under 4 years old. We’re in the edit phase of the first few episodes and I am practically exploding with anxiety / pride / anticipation to share the show I’ve been creating with you all. Every time an aunt can help with the kids, I am shooting and cooking with these women. The minute nap time rolls around, I am all over this project.

My paid subscribers are going to get sneak peeks of the show before it drops but I wanted to send ALL of you some behind the scenes photos and the link to subscribe before the launch.

I’m doing this all off my own steam with no investment, so I would truly appreciate your Substack subscriptions and support by subscribing to my Youtube channel here. It isn’t easy juggling being a single mother (my man works away all summer on a boat!) and working, but I am so serious about this project that I can’t help but work until midnight every night on getting this out there.

How are you all spending your August? I would love to hear where in the Med you’re travelling to! Kalo Mina from me. Here’s my best bits for the month ahead, including where I’m eating in Corfu.

Filakia,

Anastasia x x x

Caprice - in the freezer. Anyone who has visited Greece or knows anyone from here will know that we love our “pourakia”. These chocolate filled wafers shaped like Cuban cigars are Greek a summer staple, especially if you’re eating them of the freezer like I am. If you’re visiting Greece, put these on your shopping list.

Chilled Watermelon slices sprinkled with orange blossom water. You have no idea how truly REFRESHING this is. The orange blossom is a simple and easy addition to elevate your watermelon and give it a gentle, floral note. A very classy dessert to serve at any summer party and the simplest to pull off.

Green peppers with basil and fennel - Kyria Eleni who I cooked with this week for Live Like a Yiayia, my new Youtube Show made the most incredible side dish to her Corfiot fish stew. Sizzle green peppers in a pan with plenty of olive oil, a couple of b asil stalks and some wild fennel. Lightly fry for upto 5 minutes, then allow to cool and season with red wine vinegar. THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE SIDE DISH. Trust me.

Cottage cheese with grapes is becoming my go-to grab and go snack. It’s high in protein (hey, tired mama still trying to lose her baby weight here) and pairs very nicely with grapes and figs, that are in season now. I like to sprinkle cayenne pepper on there for a spicy note and I drizzle a tonne of olive oil on it. More important than all of this, it’s something I can throw together in under a minute between juggling the girls and the grannies…