Macedonia: The Cookbook - by Katerina Nitsou (Hardcover)

About the Book

Discover the flavors and traditions of North Macedonia

Book Synopsis

Discover the flavors and traditions of North Macedonia

Macedonian cuisine is a rich mosaic of influences from the Mediterranean and Middle East, and the neighboring countries in the Balkan Peninsula. It is known for its opulent family meals, and the regional dishes play important symbolic roles in local traditions and family celebrations.

Macedonia: The Cookbook is a love letter to Macedonian culture, and a cuisine deeply rooted in its land and traditions. Through over 100 mouthwatering recipes for mezze dishes, salads, soups, fish, poultry, meat, vegetables, and delicious sweets and preserves, chef and food writer Katerina Nitsou shares the authentic flavors and wisdom brought along with her family, recreated and adapted in her North American kitchen.

With beautiful photography of the food, people, and landscapes of North Macedonia, this cookbook captures the country's essence and belongs on the kitchen shelf of every food lover.

Review Quotes

"Katerina Nitsou describes the food of Macedonia--of her family's origins--as 'modest, simple and honest.' That makes it the kind of food we love to eat now: unfussy, easy to prepare, and whose ingredients speak of the diverse influences of a cuisine poised between the exoticisms of Greece and Turkey, and the heartier notes of the Balkans. Paprika and cabbage rub shoulders with Mediterranean peppers, tomatoes, and feta; Ottoman baklava sits beside pear strudel and sesame cookies. This book has what it takes for creating a colorful, tasty table that will be popular with the whole family."--Carla Capalbo, author of Tasting Georgia: A Food and Wine Journey in the Caucasus

"Katerina Nitsou's Macedonia is a vibrant introduction to a Balkan culture and cuisine ... The clear recipes are introduced with bits of family and cultural background. Most are accompanied by instructive color photographs of the finished dish, while endearing photographs of Nitsou's family members, and others of Macedonian landmarks and its mountainous, sun-dappled landscape, are welcome additions to this personal interpretation of a distinctive culture."--Foreword magazine

"This is a book written straight from the heart. Katerina's stories and recipes are an affectionate celebration of her Macedonian heritage, transporting you right to her family table, enjoying dishes that are respectful of tradition and yet accessible to everyone."--Irina Georgescu, author of Carpathia: Food from the Heart of Romania

"Inviting and professional ... Nitsou combines a connection to her roots with a strong handle on culinary skills in her intriguing debut ... her instructions are clear and direct ... this shines a spotlight on a little-known cuisine with eminently doable results."--Publishers Weekly

"Nitsou's passion for her heritage is evident throughout ... her personal variations on dishes, and her unassuming perspective on life and on food ... Nitsou's family hails from Macedonia, a southeastern European country nestled between Albania, Greece, Bulgaria, and Kosovo/Serbia. Traces of all these nations plus Italian, Turkish, and more influences are evident in the 100-plus colorfully photographed dishes Nitsou provides here ...."--Booklist