theo a michaels

Greek Vegetable Tart
Greek Vegetable Tart

Greek Vegetable Tart excerpted from Cypriana: Vibrant recipes inspired by the food of Greece & Cyprus by Theo A. Michaels.

Cypriana: Vibrant recipes inspired by the food of Greece & Cyprus by Theo A. Michaels

A collection of over 80 recipes from popular TV personality and UK MasterChef alumni Theo Michaels; paying homage to his heritage through inspired by the flavours of Greece and Cyprus.

Theo’s delicious recipes evoke a sense of connection to nature, seasonality, abundance, and sociable eating. Fresh ingredients sing from the plate, from juicy watermelon and glossy kalamata olives, to fragrant oregano-roasted lamb and delicate vine-leaf-baked branzino. Meze features mouth-watering small plates for sharing from creamy whipped dips to meatballs. The sea is woven into Greek culture and seafood is a staple; enjoy the freshest fish and shellfish cooked simply and served with a squeeze of lemon juice. Meat is a huge part of the Greek diet—rabbit, goat, chicken, and lamb are the mainstay, with pork enjoyed at Easter celebrations. Cooking over charcoal is part of daily life.

The Cypriots use a large rotisserie famous for its souvla (long skewer), while mainland Greece make souvlaki and both charcoal grilled and oven-roasted dishes are included here. Greek yogurt, along with artisan cheeses (feta, halloumi etc.) can be eaten hot (saganaki) or shaved into vibrant salads and the traditions of ‘horta’ means there are plenty of vegetable dishes to enjoy. Finally, Greek desserts are often just a sweet note to savor with a bitter black coffee or come sundown you may prefer a Greek-inspired cocktail such as an Ouzo Sour. (more…)

Peach, Apricot, Plum Crumble
Peach, Apricot, Plum Crumble

Peach, Apricot, Plum Crumble, Canned: Quick and easy recipes that get the most out of tinned food by Theo A. Michaels. Photography by Mowie Kay.

Canned by Theo A. Michaels

Canned by Theo A. Michaels

Chef Theo Michaels presents 65 simple and flavorsome recipes for meals made using canned food plus just a few basic fresh and/or frozen ingredients.

Most of the recipes can be pulled together in less than 30 minutes, ingredients lists are short and also allow for last-minute substitutions.

Stock your kitchen cupboards with a good selection of canned food and you’ll never be short of dinner options even when getting out to the store isn’t easy!

Rustle up tasty dishes for all the household, from soups and simple pasta dishes, to satisfying oven bakes and one-pot casseroles. Theo’s recipes make clever use of canned vegetables, fruits, legumes, fish, seafood, and even meat and poultry!

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Flourless Almond & Orange Cake
Flourless Almond & Orange Cake

Flourless Almond & Orange Cake, Rustica: Delicious Recipes for Village-style Mediterranean food by Theo A. Michaels. Photography by Mowie Kay.

Rustica: Delicious Recipes for Village-style Mediterranean food by Theo A. Michaels

The Mediterranean diet has long been famed for the proven lifetime benefits of eating simply prepared, seasonal foods. There are pockets of people in the Mediterranean countries (and further afield) who are living longer than most; these communities are most often found in rural villages where they grow their own produce and keep livestock.

Chef Theo Michaels explores this concept of “eating like a villager” and this new collection of recipes was born from conversations he has had with his family about life in Cyprus 60 years ago when growing produce and keeping a few animals was the norm.

He celebrates a way of eating based on these principles through his delicious yet simple food. It’s a modern, mindful, and relaxed way to eat well with no need to adhere to a prescribed diet—no strict regimes, just sensible portion sizes, no processed foods, and a few treats—simple, frugal and honest. In practice, it means cooking with what is in season, enjoying a good intake of vegetables, fruit, grains and legumes; eating fish and seafood in moderation and reducing meat consumption.

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