I’ve never been as hot as the summers I’ve spent traveling and living in Japan and Asia. But there is just nothing like a mountain of fluffy shaved ice to cool down. The one I always think about, and have never been able to find again, is the almond jelly (annindofu) flavor I enjoyed on a hot and steamy afternoon at Din Tai Fung in Shanghai more than 10 years ago.

Quarantine & social distancing are not that bad, if you know how to make the best of it! It's a perfect time to reset yourself. I guess every cloud has a silver lining.

Would you like coffee or tea? Either way, pour yourself a cup of happiness! I've used acrylic painted papers to create some traditionally collaged items, with a little help from Procreate. I love to combine traditional and digital artwork.

A fun pattern showcasing some cool elements for enjoying a summer picnic. Watch out for the ants!

This illustration is my memory of the dishes we often enjoyed at our friend Pete's parties, pre-2020. A delicious spread of Greek salad, lemony potatoes, chicken kebabs, gyros, and spanikopita.

There is nothing like eating Greek food Alfresco, don't you agree?
Ouzo- optional!

No summer is complete without an evening at a local Greek Festival. As a teenager I worked my fair share. My favorite foods are nearly anything I can get my hands on from lamb and gyros to pastries, pastries, pastries. My grandmother read Greek coffee grounds. While standing over a hot grill where shish kabob sizzled and hissed my dad barked "Souvlakia! Souvlakia! Souvlakia!"

Illustration of Greek flavors including olives, feta, hummus, tomatoes, and wine.

'Dala Kechidi' which is popular particularly in the Baripada area of Odisha, India. It is also served as the daily offering in the Shri Jahannath temple in Baripada. The Greek king Seleucus during his campaign in India (305-303 BC), mentioned that rice with pulses is very popular among people of the Indian subcontinent. The Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta mentions kishri as a dish in India composed of rice and mung beans, during his stay around 1350.

I was always fascinated with the idea that any tool that is used to create something-from a meal to an artwork- is in itself a creation. The kitchen tools, even more so given their specific uses and the whole wide variety of that are used across the world. Here are some tools inspired from the Indian Kitchen.

Alonissos for me is the the perfect Greek island. There is no airport which keeps the island quieter than many and means you arrive by boat, greeted by beautiful landscape bursting out of the Aegean Sea. And one of my first meals when I went there was Spanakopita, a delicious spinach and feta savoury pie.

A celebration of organic Grecian produce!

Let's toast to a a delicious greek meal on a beautiful summer evening...with a view. Yamas!