Get a Taste of the Mediterranean with These Top Traditional Greek Recipe Books

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As a lover of traditional Greek food – OK I know I live in Athens so I am a bit biased… – I’ve had the pleasure to discover several incredible Greek chefs and cookbook writers who are true masters of their craft. While some of their names, such as Akis Petretzikis and Ilias Mamalakis, may be unfamiliar outside of Greece, their recipes and techniques are extremely inspired. 
As a father of two as well, I understand how important it is to instill in my children the importance of good food as well as the excitement of cooking and baking. That’s why I enjoy trying out classic Greek dishes – they’re full of fresh ingredients, robust tastes, and a big amount of olive oil, and they’re ideal for sharing with the whole family.

I’ll share some of my favorite traditional Greek cookbooks, including those by Akis, Ilias, and other brilliant Greek cooks, in this post. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a rookie in the kitchen, you’ll find lots of ideas and delicious looking books to get. So put on your chef’s hat and let’s get started!

What are the Best Traditional Greek Cookbooks?

There are several cookbooks that highlight Greece’s excellent and diverse food when it comes to traditional Greek recipes. These cookbooks will inspire any home chef, from classic meals like moussaka and gyros to innovative twists on traditional recipes. In fact, several of them are clearly among the top Mediterranean cookbooks available.

Greek Comfort Food

My kids love Akis Petretzikis and his easy to make food and pastry recipes. So I am so much biased with his books and easy to do technique.
Akis Petretzikis is a well-known Greek chef, television personality, and cookbook author who specializes in Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. He has presented a variety of culinary shows on Greek television and has authored many cookbooks, including “Akis Kitchen,” “Akis in the Kitchen,” and “Akis Express.” Petretzikis is known for his inventive but so so so simple to do culinary style, and his meals frequently use fresh, seasonal ingredients and robust tastes. He is well-known across Greece and has a huge social media following.
Akis Petretzikis’ cookbook Greek Comfort Food has a selection of 260 traditional Greek dishes that are meant to be comforting, rich, and satisfying and easy to create! Soups, stews, braises, roasts, and baked goods are among the meals included in the book, as are vegetarian and seafood alternatives. Many of the dishes are inspired by Petretzikis’ childhood memories and family traditions, and they use authentic Greek ingredients and techniques – but with a twist 😉

Our Pick
Greek Comfort Food
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Greece: The Cookbook

Vefa Alexiadou is a well-known Greek cookbook author and chef who specializes in traditional Greek food. Vefa Alexiadou’s Greece: The Cookbook is the perfect guide to Greece’s rich and delicious cuisine. The book includes hundreds of easy, healthful recipes and 230 color images to display the ingredients and meals, as well as information on regional specialties, local ingredients, and their importance.
With so many recipes, it is apparent that no detail has been overlooked in this encyclopedic bible of Greek food in English.

Greece: The Cookbook
$54.95 $50.70
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03/27/2024 11:14 pm GMT

The Foods of Greece

Aglaia Kremezi is a well-known Greek chef and food writer who specializes in traditional Greek cuisine and the Mediterranean diet. She has authored several cookbooks, including “The Foods of the Greek Islands,” a definitive introduction to Greek island food and cooking. This book is jam-packed with original recipes, great photography, and fascinating information about the history and culture of Greek food. It is an excellent resource for anybody interested in learning more about Greek food and experimenting with new dishes at home.

The Foods of Greece
$69.95
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03/27/2024 11:17 pm GMT

Aglaia Kremezi has written several cookbooks, and has also contributed to numerous food and travel magazines including the New York Times and Food & Wine Magazine.

Mediterranean Vegetarian Feasts
$17.27
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03/27/2024 11:49 pm GMT

Ikaria: Lessons on Food, Life, and Longevity from the Greek Island Where People Forget to Die: A Mediterranean Diet Cookbook

I recently picked up “Ikaria,” and I must say that I am blown away. It’s a lovely cookbook loaded with tasty and unusual dishes from the Greek island of Ikaria, but it’s also a fascinating investigation of the island secrets of its citizens’ longevity.
But what truly distinguishes “Ikaria” is that it goes beyond simply being a cookbook. It’s an ode to the Ikarian way of life and the value of simple, conscientious living.

Ikaria: Lessons on Food, Life, and Longevity from the Greek Island Where People Forget to Die: A Mediterranean Diet Cookbook
$35.00 $23.00
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03/27/2024 11:58 pm GMT

My Big Fat Greek Cookbook: Classic Mediterranean Soul Food Recipes

The “Authentic Greek Recipes Cookbook” is a compilation of traditional Greek recipes from various regions. Reviewers commended the dishes’ simplicity and authenticity, as well as the ease with which they could be made. Many people have also praised the inclusion of lesser-known meals alongside more popular favorites.

My Big Fat Greek Cookbook: Classic Mediterranean Soul Food Recipes
$24.99
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03/28/2024 12:01 am GMT

Before you go…

A great cookbook goes along with the right book stand to keep it in a safe and easy to view position when you cook and a book light. They can make all the difference when it comes to enjoying your next recipe at home. Check them out. 


FAQs

Who else is a popular Greek chef?

There are definitively more Greek chefs to have a look. But I was not able to find an English version cookbook to share. 
Dimitris Skarmoutsos: Dimitris is a well-known Greek chef and television personality recognized for his contemporary takes on classic Greek dishes. Here is his website.
Argiro Barbarigou: Argiro is my wife’s favorite and a well-known chef and cookbook author in Greece, with a focus on traditional Greek cuisine. Here you will find many of her recipes in English.