Chef Krystina: Greek Cookbooks & Culinary Inspiration

I wanted to share a part of my February Newsletter that Spotlight’s Chef Krystina, who is an extraordinary culinary talent, along with her delightful Greek Cookbooks. For those who do not subscribe, I thought you may enjoy this interaction, which showcases her passion for Greek cuisine and the intricate flavors that define it. In addition to the engaging conversation about Chef Krystina, her inspirations, and the history behind her Greek Cookbooks, you’ll also find a wonderful recipe she created specifically for the Newsletter. This recipe not only offers a taste of her culinary expertise but also encourages you to bring a piece of Greece into your kitchen, making it an enjoyable experience for everyone eager to explore new flavors.

Meet Chef Krystina

I had a chance to chat with Chef Krystina, author of the Greek Cookbook, ‘A Drop of Ladi in My Greek Soul’.  Chef Krystina is a Greek American from California who has published two cookbooks, writes an amazing blog, runs a catering business and also a travel business.  She is a busy girl!  Krystina’s cookbooks are my go to for when I want to make a Greek dish. The recipes are easy to follow and the vivid photographs of her dishes are almost as mouth watering as her recipes!  Chef Kyrstina’s cookbooks and blog posts are not just about Greek recipes.  She includes personal stories, histories, and background information about greek spices, honeys, olive oil and even wine pairings!  So not just have I learned how to cook Greek food from her cookbooks and blogs, I have also learned more about Greek culture!  You can find her cookbooks here; Back to My Roots and A Drop of Ladi in My Greek Soul. You won’t be dissapointed!

ME:  Hi Krystina, thank you for chatting with me.  I know we have chatted back and forth over the years and I have loved your advice on cooking and also on visiting Greece.  You inspire me.   What inspired you to become a chef, especially a Greek chef.

KRYSTINA:  My inspiration to become a chef, especially a Greek chef, comes from my yiayia (grandmother) and my family. Growing up, I was surrounded by the aromas and flavors of homemade Greek food, and I learned the importance of tradition, hospitality, and cooking with love. My yiayia, in particular, was an incredible cook who could turn the simplest ingredients into something extraordinary. She always cooked from the heart, and that deeply influenced me. Although my yiayia was in Greece and I was in the U.S., I always felt her presence. She passed away when I was quite young, but many of her dishes were passed down to my father and then to me. Preserving and sharing these family recipes is my way of keeping her memory alive. Over the years, I’ve made it my mission to honor those traditions while also putting my own modern twist on classic Greek dishes. Cooking is more than just food—it’s a way to bring people together, create lasting memories, and share a piece of my heritage with the world. I’m excited to continue sharing my love for Greek cuisine through Kouzounas Kitchen, where I post recipes, cooking tips, and stories about my culinary journey

ME:  Creating and publishing a cookbook has to take a lot of time and energy, and you created a work of art!  It’s not just a cookbook but a great read as well.  Do you plan on a third cookbook at some point?

KRYSTINA: Good question! I’m really embarrassed, Lori, because it has been well over five and a half years since I last published my second cookbook—so I’m well overdue! 

Interestingly enough, I’ve had the title for my third book in mind for years, but I’m still working on the recipes. All I can say for now is that it’s a very Greek-themed book, with one specific key ingredient as the highlight. Hint: it’s an ingredient that is very popular in Mani. 🙂

ME:  What about all of your other ventures? I know I love your spices and teas!  I use your spice blends on so many of my dishes, and not just my Greek dishes!  What keeps you going and keeps you so enthusiastic?

KRYSTINA: Firstly, thank you very much for enjoying my spices and teas! I started my own organic spice, loose leaf tea, and infused sugar line over 10 years ago. I sold these specific products mainly at Apple Hill, an event that takes place in California from September to December. I also sell these products via my online shop. What keeps me going? The positive feedback I get from my customers who truly enjoy my products. For example, customers have said, ‘Krystina, your diverticulitis tea helped me so much with my health.’ I also offer Greek food catering services, and my favorites to make are baklava and spanakopita! I just received a really good review that my baklava was the best she’s ever had! 

ME:  I know how much you love Greece.  What is your favorite place to visit in Greece?

KRYSTINA:  I do love Greece so much! This is really a hard question to answer because there are over 6,000 islands in Greece, and I have yet to say that I’ve been to even 20. I would have to say my favorites are Mani (that was a given), since my father is from there, and it is a magical place with rugged stone houses and beautiful landscapes. If you want to go where the history is, Mani is the place. My second favorite place is Crete, the biggest Greek island! I love Crete because it has so much to offer, the beaches are absolutely beautiful, and the cuisine is amazing! My favorite city is Athens because my dad’s family grew up there. We love the Piraeus area, and of course, the best view in my opinion is standing at the Acropolis and overlooking all of Athina! I think I could go on and on about this, Lori, but I’ll save that conversation for a day we meet in Greece over Ellinikos kafes. 🙂 

ME:  It sounds like your new Travel Group, Travel Mazi Mou, is off to a great start, I have seen your photos on Instagram and we will have to chat again in a couple of months and talk about all about it.  Do you have any current group trips planned that my readers can check out?

KRYSTINA:  Yes, we had a blast with our first two adventures in Thessaloniki and then Crete. We are planning Corfu this year, as well as Crete again. You can view those adventures here: travelmazimou.com. If anyone wants to live like a local in Greece, come join us! 

Thank you so much for including my food blog, Kouzounas Kitchen, and my travel blog, Travel Mazi Mou, on your wonderful site! I am really grateful for your amazing blog, Lori, and I am looking forward to more beautiful trips you share on Travel Gen X. Thank you for having me on your page today!

ME:  Thank you, Krystina for taking the time to share with me and my readers today! You can follow Krystina’s blog at Kouzounas Kitchen  and you can follow her adventures and tours at  Travel Mazi Mou.  Even if you never visit Greece, following Krystina’s blogs will make you feel as if you are there!

What’s Cooking

Krystina created a recipe especially for my blog and my readers!  Just in time for the Super Bowl!  I can’t wait to make these Zucchini Chips!  Steve and I have had Zucchini Chips while in Crete and loved them!  Thank you so much, Krystina!  

Click on the link below for Krystina’s Zucchini Chip recipe. She serves these with Greek Tzatkiki Sauce and has a link for her Tzatziki Sauce as well!

Crispy Fried Zucchini Chips Recipe Link

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this excerpt from my February Newsletter. Chatting with Chef Krystina was fun and also gave me inspiration to cook something from one of her Greek cookbooks! I have used many of her recipes for get-togethers, holidays, and just for fun! All have been great!

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The Gen-X Travels recommendations for hotels, restaurants, activities or tour companies are based on our own experiences unless noted. We are not sponsored by any business or company and all trips are at our expense. All photos are by myself or my husband unless otherwise noted. We are affiliates of some companies such as Amazon,Viator, and others which we do receive a small commission from, at no cost to you if you buy or book through one of our links.