A Seat at My Table: Philoxenia: Vegetarian and Vegan Greek Kitchen Recipes

A Seat at My Table: Philoxenia is a Greek vegetarian and vegan cookbook with over 100 recipes passed down through generations, featuring dishes such as tzatziki, saganaki, and spanakopita. It also includes tips on minimising waste and gardening and is dedicated to standing with refugees and people seeking asylum to realise their rights and potential.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 04 October 2023
Publisher: Hardie Grant Books

A Seat at My Table: Philoxenia is a captivating Greek vegetarian and vegan cookbook, showcasing over 100 recipes that have been cherished and passed down through generations. The author of this remarkable book is Kon Karapanagiotidis, the visionary founder of the Australia Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC).

Philoxenia, a Greek word, embodies the act of welcoming a stranger. It is a profound message that permeates Greek culture and culinary traditions. This heartfelt book unfolds a series of incredible meals inspired by this powerful philosophy, as well as the love, hope, and resilience that represent Kon's grandparents' survival as refugees.

Chapter by chapter, readers are invited to embark on a culinary journey, learning to create dishes that grace a mezze platter, such as refreshing tzatziki, golden saganaki, and cheese-filled zucchini flowers. Additionally, Kon offers vegan adaptations of heavier dishes like moussaka and spanakopita, ensuring that everyone can enjoy these delectable creations.

The book is brimming with a variety of salads that cater to different tastes, featuring a delightful array of ingredients like Ancient Greek grains, zucchini, artichoke, goats cheese, fig, and pomegranate. Indulgent desserts, including Greek classics like loukoumades and baklava, as well as Greek-style coffees, round off the culinary experience.

What sets this cookbook apart is its commitment to inclusivity. Every vegetarian recipe includes instructions to make it vegan or gluten-free, ensuring that all dietary preferences are accommodated. Additionally, readers are provided with valuable tips on minimizing waste and gardening, courtesy of Kon's father, Leo.

The ASRC, with Kon at its helm, is dedicated to standing with refugees and people seeking asylum, advocating for their rights and potential. The organisation values the incredible resilience that we as humans possess, as well as the profound connection that we share through food. A Seat at My Table: Philoxenia serves as a guide for individuals and communities to welcome their communities to their tables, fostering understanding, compassion, and a sense of belonging.

By embracing the principles of Philoxenia, we can create a more inclusive and compassionate world where everyone has a seat at the table and the opportunity to enjoy delicious and nourishing meals.

Weight: 1202g
Dimension: 198 x 247 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781743799246