There’s something oh so familiar to me about the way Catherine Istiopolous, arguably Australia’s leading Mediterranean Diet researcher, gets emotional talking about her family members. About their overwhelming pride in her achievements. Their hands on support picking horta and cooking traditional Greek recipes for her studies. And for the family, shared table. The first thing she wants to make clear is that the Mediterranean Diet is so much more a lifestyle. A lifestyle of family. Recently we caught up for lunch to chat about her stunning first book.
About our expert
Dr Catherine Istiopoulos APD has spent her working life researching the Mediterranean Diet drawing on the food traditions of her Greek heritage. She is currently Head of Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition and Associate Dean International at La Trobe University. Catherine’s major research interests include randomised controlled clinical intervention studies in diabetes, cardiovascular disease and the metabolic syndrome utilising the Mediterranean diet as a model of intervention. She is also investigating the positive health and mortality profile of Greek born migrants to Australia more than 50 years since migration. Her newly launched book combines the learnings from this research, coupled with global studies and essential recipes as a complete guide to The Mediterranean Diet RRP $34.99.
Where does one take a traditional Greek food expert for lunch? Italian of course! Romulus & Remus to be exact. I was very pleased to be invited to visit this relatively new Mediterranean offering in Bridge Rd. The established hub of Richmond, Bridge Rd always continues to surprise and delight with the trusted Richmond Hill Cafe and Larder (two words – cheese room) and Greek institution Laikon Deli. Romulus and Remus’ philosophy is all about local, seasonal produce and a menu designed for sharing with a group of family and friends. The food certainly made me reminisce romantically of trips to Italy but it was the huge, potted olive trees right inside that had me transported.
Over a small, glass of red wine (tick one to the Mediterranean Diet) we sampled a tasting menu hand selected for us by Chef Matt English. First up salumi e antipasti. A rather generous serve compared to traditional diets, but hey chef was out to impress. And impress us he did with his passion and food knowledge during our chat.
The next point Catherine wanted to make was that the Mediterranean Diet was very much a diet of circumstance. You ate what you had to hand. That day. That region. That season. You farmed and foraged. Cured and caught. Pressed and preserved.
One of the reason Catherine believes that Mediterranean born migrants in Australia and other parts of the world are so passionate about preserving their traditional diet, is the overwhelming element of nostalgia. They can be transported back to the village in one bite. As the growing, gathering, preparing and sharing of food was such a fundamental part of culture. Despite this, they will never admit to achieving a dish that is just perfect. You see, it will never taste the same as the village. It’s missing terroir. But you keep on trying. Always trying. Like with these just perfect, warm, marinated artichokes we enjoyed. They also feature as one of the 80 stunning recipes in the book along with menu plans, dietary principles and practical tips. Loads of clever, very clever, practical tips of ways to adopt this eating style praised in nutrition circles the world over, as the closest thing to a miracle cure for healthy longevity.
Next up we sampled a delicate Swordfish with Tomato and Almond Pesto and Microherb Salad (another big tick to fish), followed by a Risotto with Roasted Duck, Porcini, Tomato Ragu and Spinach. And we moved on to talk about how the Mediterranean Diet puts food front and centre. It’s not about eating to live. Or eating to get enough of nutrient x or y. It’s about eating to enjoy, to stop work and take a break, to celebrate, share, rejoice or symbolise a moment in time.
The Mediterranean Diet book has a full reference list supporting every piece of the puzzle, which makes it a highly credible how to. It would make a fantastic gift for anyone looking to refocus on healthy eating or anyone healthy looking to focus on traditional Greek cooking. I’d love to tell you more, but you’ll have to get your hands on a copy! In the meantime you can read my post on being a Wanna Be Wog (that explains my familiarity with passionate Greeks in the opening). And read our archived post on the Predi-Med Diet Study Findings. Catherine has generously provide a signed copy of The Mediterranean Diet to giveaway to a lucky Scoop reader. Drop us a comment below to go into the draw. Competition is open to all Australian residents and closes 5pm Monday 4 August AEST.
