A Collection of Greek Recipes

     During the fall of 1956, members of the Sts. Constantine and Helen Ladies Society and PTA embarked on a project to raise funds for a Community Center to be built on the grounds  adjoining the beautiful new Sts, Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in the northwest section of Detroit, Michigan.  Seeking a project worthy of the cause, the women decided to compile a booklet of fundamental Greek cooking principles.  As the committee delved deeper into the project, however, they discovered a critical need for a complete and easy to read book on  Greek-American cooking. Spurred on by this discovery, the assistance of all the congregation was enlisted and the result is this exciting and comprehensive compilation of Greek dishes, traditional and rare, robust and mild; for gourmets, curiosity seekers and just plain good eaters. 

     In the course of the preparation of this collection, we were constantly aware of the blending of the new and old.  Scores of precious recipes came to us in the Greek language, often bearing evidence of a laborious effort to reduce to writing a kitchen secret passed by word of mouth from generation to generations.  All contributors are members or friends of our church. The collective background represents every province and island of Greece.

     This book seeks to preserve for us and our children the culinary traditions of ancient and modern Greece. We have sought to make it easy for even the beginning cook to embark herein on a journey of lifetime enjoyment in the preparation and consumption of Greek dishes. Well over 300 recipes, arranged by category are presented.  The weights, measures, and temperatures are precise.  The directions are simplified and Americanized to blend with modern kitchen facilities and to give the user a comforting feeling in the final product.

     Eleven basic food categories are featured, including a glossary and translation of terms, kitchen hints, food equivalents and suggested menus.  Cognizant of the close relationship between Greek cooking, and the Greek Orthodox Church, we are please to include an explanation of the religious significance of certain foods by the The Reverend Father Harry J. Magoulias, parish pastor at the time the project was launched.

     The proceeds from the sale of this book will go entirely to Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Westland, MI and to its philanthropic efforts.