Yassou is a well-curated culinary journey of Grecian hospitality and Mediterranean cooking from Israeli author and TV personality Shaily Lipa in her first English-language cookbook. Yassou showcases the word's meaning--a greeting for hello or goodbye that translates to "to your health"--by way of an emphasis on fresh vegetables, fish, olive oil, whole grains, legumes, artisanal cheese, and fruits that typify the Mediterranean diet.
Beautiful photographs of scenes in Greece complement Yassou's mouthwatering food photographs. The 80 recipes honor the country's traditions and culture while being easy to prepare and utilizing items that mostly are a part of the pantry's staples. Yassou shows why certain ingredients, such as eggplant, zucchini, and pine nuts, are standard in Grecian cooking, along with brief histories and how to incorporate them in recipes. Chapters include Mezes and Starters; Patties and Savory Pastries; Stuffed Vegetables; Soups and Sides; Mains; and Sweets. Recipes include moussaka and pastitsio, whose robust flavors and relative ease of preparation continue to make them favorites.
Lipa's thoughtful curation of Yassou takes cooks on a mini vacation accompanied by good food. --Oline H. Cogdill, freelance reviewer