If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.
Meister Eckhart
Showing posts with label kefi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kefi. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
A Very Kefi Christmas
"It is a miracle if you can find true friends, and it is a miracle if you have enough food to eat, and it is a miracle if you get to spend your days and evenings doing whatever it is you like to do, and the holiday season—like all the other seasons—is a good time not only to tell stories of miracles, but to think about the miracles in your own life, and to be grateful for them." —Lemony Snicket
There are many things that have afforded me great success in this world-- I'm a white person from the US who went to college and is employed. To 99.99% of the rest of the world, I wasn't just born on third--I came onto Earth an inch from home plate.
Few things have made me feel as privileged as this past weekend, when my family got together to celebrate a pre-Christmas Extravaganza with me before I headed back to DC to work both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It was an amazing 36-hour love fest that featured all of the people I hold dearest, from the family with which I was born to the mish-mash of folks I have chosen over the years to count among my people.
The Kefis have always believed in a big, fat, decorative Christmas, but our winter holidays have not always been as movie-esque as this one was-- those years that began when the oldest of my siblings became a teenager and ended when the youngest of us left adolescence behind brought as much angst and posturing around the holidays for us as they did any other family. We worked hard for our practically-perfect pre-Christmas, and it made me think about how wonderfully lucky we are if, as adults, we can move past the family squabbles about presents and table turf that our complicated world increasingly encourages, and remember how truly magic Christmas can be, if only we bring to the table with us best wishes for each other and a healthy sense of humor about ourselves (making Christmas a champagne-only event doesn't hurt, either).
It is, of course, more than happy circumstance that my family gets to enjoy holidays like these at a time when so many families are splintered by the demands of our world. In some other post at some other time, I will wax and wane on how closely linked happiness is to privilege. But, for now, let me say without hope or agenda--just because it's Christmas, and at Christmas you tell the truth--to me, we are perfect.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
...And They're Off!
It is truly the most wonderful time of the year!
Every year my brother JetSet Kef and I take off on vacation together, usually in the Augustish part of the summer. Inspired by our Mediterranean brethren, the Italians, we have come to refer to this tradition as Ferragosto.
Below, please find some highlights of Ferragosto through the years:
Read More
Every year my brother JetSet Kef and I take off on vacation together, usually in the Augustish part of the summer. Inspired by our Mediterranean brethren, the Italians, we have come to refer to this tradition as Ferragosto.
Below, please find some highlights of Ferragosto through the years:
2009 was Kanafe and Catastrophe. JSK was living in Ramallah, so I scidaddled over there for some fun in the sun.
 |
| We also bid a fond farewell to a dear friend, the Burka of the Beach. May her memory be eternal. |
---
2010 was the year of the Berry Loop. We met in the Pacific Northwest to explore the finer points of slower, organic American living. Although the food was enough to keep us in that part of the country forever, we grew tired of people asking us to slow down our talking and driving. East Cost for life!
----
In 2011 we actually had TWO vacations. First, a trip to the motherland, Greece!
 |
| At dinner in this restaurant, Cooking up Kefi was born. Thank you, Lindos! |
 |
| Later that week, JSK and I got up to our usual shenanigans + wine and traditional Greek dancing. The next morning was less awesome. |
After Greece, we jetted off to Mozambique (where else?) for some scuba diving and life-changing scenery.
 | |
| Just rotate your laptop. It's really a cute pic. |
------
This year, it's a return to Greece. See you in two weeks, folks!
Friday, May 25, 2012
Steamed Broccoli and Creamy Avo-Yogurt Sauce
College is not known for its culinary delights. Late night pizza, over-greased dining-hall food, and all that beer-flavored water... not exactly the kind of place where a blossoming chef thrives.
Unless, of course, you lived with a Brit, a Brazilian, a Republican, a 16-year-old, a self-described "uh-oh Oreo Cashew" (I'm not even gonna break that down for you), and a rotating cast of semi-feral males from JetSet Kef's apartment collectively known as "the boys." Between the lot of us, someone was always cooking something (well...most of us), and every now and again something good came out of our tiny, sticky-floored kitchen while "Holla Back Girl" blared from the stereo to drown out the smoke alarm that went off if we so much as opened a jar of hot sauce.
Back then, I would bring back two things from the grocery store: broccoli and ingredients for dessert. I ate some kind of steamed broccoli stir fry pretty much every day for four years (every day, that is, when I wasn't busy eating pizza or the aforementioned desserts). On the other side of the kitchen, my friend Christine (here after- Queijo Kef) would be making one of two things: vodka-infused gummy bears (terrible idea- do not try at home!) or some kind of creamy sauce. Let me tell you: you'd be hard pressed to find that girl eating something that wasn't topped with or accompanied by some kind of sour cream/yogurt/cream cheese/gratin sauce. Girl loves her some damn CREAM.
So, on the eve of my 5-year reunion (which I am very much not attending--if you were my friend in college and want to see me, leave a message below), I bring you the beautiful lovechild of Chef Kefi and Queijo Kef's favorite things: steamed broccoli with a creamy, tangy avo-yogurt sauce.
Ingredients
--2 heads of broccoli, chopped
--1 avocado, sliced and shelled
--half of a Fage Greek yogurt
--juice of half a lime
Assembly
1. Steam broccoli. I do this by throwing about 1/8 c of water into the skillet with broccoli and cooking covered for about 4-5 minutes. You do you.
2. While the broccoli is steaming, Mix together lime juice and avocado, then yogurt. Stir vigorously and mash up the avo as much as possible.
3. Combine broccoli and sauce. Enjoy!
Read More
Unless, of course, you lived with a Brit, a Brazilian, a Republican, a 16-year-old, a self-described "uh-oh Oreo Cashew" (I'm not even gonna break that down for you), and a rotating cast of semi-feral males from JetSet Kef's apartment collectively known as "the boys." Between the lot of us, someone was always cooking something (well...most of us), and every now and again something good came out of our tiny, sticky-floored kitchen while "Holla Back Girl" blared from the stereo to drown out the smoke alarm that went off if we so much as opened a jar of hot sauce.
Back then, I would bring back two things from the grocery store: broccoli and ingredients for dessert. I ate some kind of steamed broccoli stir fry pretty much every day for four years (every day, that is, when I wasn't busy eating pizza or the aforementioned desserts). On the other side of the kitchen, my friend Christine (here after- Queijo Kef) would be making one of two things: vodka-infused gummy bears (terrible idea- do not try at home!) or some kind of creamy sauce. Let me tell you: you'd be hard pressed to find that girl eating something that wasn't topped with or accompanied by some kind of sour cream/yogurt/cream cheese/gratin sauce. Girl loves her some damn CREAM.
 |
| Queijo Kef, posing pre-party. |
--2 heads of broccoli, chopped
--1 avocado, sliced and shelled
--half of a Fage Greek yogurt
--juice of half a lime
Assembly
1. Steam broccoli. I do this by throwing about 1/8 c of water into the skillet with broccoli and cooking covered for about 4-5 minutes. You do you.
2. While the broccoli is steaming, Mix together lime juice and avocado, then yogurt. Stir vigorously and mash up the avo as much as possible.
3. Combine broccoli and sauce. Enjoy!
Monday, April 16, 2012
Greek Easter 2012 Preview
 |
| The table, still missing a few dishes |
 |
| Peep-shaped butter dish, courtesy of Mama Kef. |
 |
| Sadly, I did not make the cheese. I did make the jam. |
 | |
| I also made a gluten-free version of this- yum and a half. |
 |
| Spanakopita |
 |
| The 10 lb pastitsio. |
I'll post specific stories and recipes in the weeks coming, including reports from Beirut, where JetSet Kef held his own Greek Easter feast.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
The Marathon Begins
The first spanakopita of Greek Easter 2012 has just gone into the oven, which gives me a second to pause and think about why I spend an entire weekend every year covered in olive oil and spinach.
There are two main reasons that keep me looking forward to this time each year. The first is that Orthodox Easter is usually 1-2 weeks behind Roman Easter, which reminds us that Jesus was, in fact, a socialist and that he ascribed to the more relaxed lifestyle of the Southern Mediterranean and took his sweet time rising from the dead (I mean, wouldn't you?). The second (and more legit) reason I so look forward to Greek Easter is that it brings back all the Keftastic memories of the times my family was less scattered across this green earth.
As a kid, we would squeeze into the Camry (JetSet Kef on the driver's side with his GameBoy, BabyKef in the middle annoying the living bejesus out of her siblings, and yours truly trying desperately not to get car sick on the passenger's side) and drive to New Jersey. There, we would find a diner that had been transformed from a bustling business to an inviting living room--the tables were rearranged to accommodate what seemed like every Greek in New Jersey, and for that one day, traditional Greek music played louder than the Whitney Houston coming from the juke boxes. It was always nice to see my grandfather's friends and eat something other than the diner's famous "Chicken in a Basket"--but what I REALLY looked forward to was what we called "the red egg game."
You can read more about the game here-- I gotta go get the spanakopita out of the oven. I leave you with a picture of my grandfather on one of his happiest days, when my brother convened the first KefiFamily Greek Easter in years. We'll miss my grandfather this year, but I know he is watching with approval and ranting about Barack Obama the Communist from Heaven. Σας αγαπάμε, παππού!
Read More
There are two main reasons that keep me looking forward to this time each year. The first is that Orthodox Easter is usually 1-2 weeks behind Roman Easter, which reminds us that Jesus was, in fact, a socialist and that he ascribed to the more relaxed lifestyle of the Southern Mediterranean and took his sweet time rising from the dead (I mean, wouldn't you?). The second (and more legit) reason I so look forward to Greek Easter is that it brings back all the Keftastic memories of the times my family was less scattered across this green earth.
As a kid, we would squeeze into the Camry (JetSet Kef on the driver's side with his GameBoy, BabyKef in the middle annoying the living bejesus out of her siblings, and yours truly trying desperately not to get car sick on the passenger's side) and drive to New Jersey. There, we would find a diner that had been transformed from a bustling business to an inviting living room--the tables were rearranged to accommodate what seemed like every Greek in New Jersey, and for that one day, traditional Greek music played louder than the Whitney Houston coming from the juke boxes. It was always nice to see my grandfather's friends and eat something other than the diner's famous "Chicken in a Basket"--but what I REALLY looked forward to was what we called "the red egg game."
You can read more about the game here-- I gotta go get the spanakopita out of the oven. I leave you with a picture of my grandfather on one of his happiest days, when my brother convened the first KefiFamily Greek Easter in years. We'll miss my grandfather this year, but I know he is watching with approval and ranting about Barack Obama the Communist from Heaven. Σας αγαπάμε, παππού!
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Biking Up Kefi
Not too much cooking this week- I'm bombarded with tests, papers, and presentations. However, I came across this little piece and it just SCREAMED Kefi-- so I had to share with my readers (all three of you!).
I hope you all find a little Kefi during this beautiful weekend!
Read More
I hope you all find a little Kefi during this beautiful weekend!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Where Kefi began
So there we were. Four Greek-Americans on the second family voyage back to the Motherland. A few days earlier, we had celebrated the wedding of a dear cousin. Flash forward a few protests, strikes, and a 5 am flight and we were in Rhodos.
If it's been awhile since you've reviewed your Greek mythology, I'll remind you: Rhodos is named for the wife of Helios, the god who lit up the world each day by riding across the sky in the chariot of the sun. You'll find this in no mythology text, but I'll put forward the theory that Helios felt bad for his wife (that kinda schedule must've made quality time tough to come by) and so he searched for the world's most perfect island to give to her. And perfect it is. Nestled in the eastern Aegean Sea (as much as a land mass that resulted from ancient volcanic activity can be nestled, I suppose), Rhodes is home to ancient castles, butterfly preserves, two spectacular old cities, and--most importantly--some delicious examples of Greek cuisine.
Back to Kefi. We had been taking in the sun and sites during our first day in Lindos and had worked up quite the appetite. We settled in to a great table at a great restaurant (whose name escape me now...womp). The lighting was low, the wine was interesting and refreshing and the first round of mezze had just arrived at the table. We looked around at one another, and my brother said, "THIS is kefi."
From gogreece.about.com: "Kefi is a hard-to-translate word which has been described by various Greeks as meaning the spirit of joy, passion, enthusiasm, high spirits, or frenzy. Kefi takes many forms. The custom of smashing plates is considered an expression of kefi, when the soul and body are overwhelmed with an exuberance that must find an outlet."
So that's what this blog is all about. Capturing the moments--both the sensory and the intangible--that make Greece, Greeks, and the descendents of a Spartan-cum-Jersey boy everything they are. This blog will be just as much about food (Greek and not) as it is about the moments before, during, and after a meal that make it seem reasonable--no, required--to throw your plate against the wall and scream, "Opa!"
Read More
If it's been awhile since you've reviewed your Greek mythology, I'll remind you: Rhodos is named for the wife of Helios, the god who lit up the world each day by riding across the sky in the chariot of the sun. You'll find this in no mythology text, but I'll put forward the theory that Helios felt bad for his wife (that kinda schedule must've made quality time tough to come by) and so he searched for the world's most perfect island to give to her. And perfect it is. Nestled in the eastern Aegean Sea (as much as a land mass that resulted from ancient volcanic activity can be nestled, I suppose), Rhodes is home to ancient castles, butterfly preserves, two spectacular old cities, and--most importantly--some delicious examples of Greek cuisine.
Back to Kefi. We had been taking in the sun and sites during our first day in Lindos and had worked up quite the appetite. We settled in to a great table at a great restaurant (whose name escape me now...womp). The lighting was low, the wine was interesting and refreshing and the first round of mezze had just arrived at the table. We looked around at one another, and my brother said, "THIS is kefi."
From gogreece.about.com: "Kefi is a hard-to-translate word which has been described by various Greeks as meaning the spirit of joy, passion, enthusiasm, high spirits, or frenzy. Kefi takes many forms. The custom of smashing plates is considered an expression of kefi, when the soul and body are overwhelmed with an exuberance that must find an outlet."
So that's what this blog is all about. Capturing the moments--both the sensory and the intangible--that make Greece, Greeks, and the descendents of a Spartan-cum-Jersey boy everything they are. This blog will be just as much about food (Greek and not) as it is about the moments before, during, and after a meal that make it seem reasonable--no, required--to throw your plate against the wall and scream, "Opa!"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)