QUARANTINE DIARIES, COMFORT FOOD & ALL THE SMALL THINGS THAT KEEP US GOING
Between us, I kind of miss seeing the busy streets of Athens empty. This picture is from Elena, who lives in the heart of Athens with her family. She shares her experience and her comfort food: orzo pasta with tomato and cinnamon.
A few words about you and where did the quarantine find you?
Hi! I’m Elena and for now I am fine! I have a foodblog too, Elena is Cooking and the quarantine found me at home in Athens along with my partner, my seven year old boy who wants to become a youtuber and my 3 year old girl who wants to become a star-wars ballerina! Yes, exactly that!
What did it change for you ?
What changed is that I am not going to the office (neither is my partner) and the kids don’t go to school as these are also closed. So this means two adults trying to work from home with two kids who want to run to the park! What changed dramatically is that we cannot see our family and friends and we miss them a lot!
How do you cope?
Generally speaking, I don’t really cope because apart from daily work I have multiple tasks to juggle. What the quarantine has certainly taught me is that my patience has no limit! Thankfully the last few days we go out for a walk with the kids and get some fresh air!
How many loo-rolls can you count in your cupboards?
I must have around 8 at the moment of writing! Ok, for a family of four I should probably get myself out and get some more soon! Of course I have a huge stock of pampers for the little one just so we can avoid the supermarket trips.
Comfort food: orzo pasta with tomato and cinnamon
My favourite comfort food is orzo with tomato and cinnamon. The type you will make quickly on a small top with a bit of olive oil and tomato paste, you mix add in half a cup of orzo and double the water, salt, pepper and a bit of cinnamon. We eat this with feta cheese or any other grated cheese.
Quick orzo pasta with tomato and cinnamon
Ingredients
- ½ cup orzo
- 1 teaspoon of tomato paste
- Salt pepper and a bit of cinnamon
Instructions
- Heat up the olive oil and add the tomato paste. 2. Mix to dissolve it in the olive oil. 3. Add the orzo and 1 cup of water (you can warm it up if you wish), season with salt and pepper and add a bit of cinnamon. Serve immediately with a bit of feta cheese or grated kefalotyri.
Where will you go eat once this madness is over?
I am going to go for a BBQ at my parent’s veranta, just so I can eat grilled lamp chops with a view to the Akropolis and when restaurants open up I will go to my favourite kafeneio, Agriolouloudo for tsipouro and mezze
Share a wish, just so we can finish on a happy note.
Patience and positive thinking! And if you find yourself panicking, don’t let it get to you, it’s just part of the game!
from Athens with love,
Elena
PS: If you wish to be part of my quarantine cuisine diaries and share your experience on Eat Yourself Greek (EYG), please drop me a line here. Thanks, Eugenia
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What a lovely, simple recipe! The best type of comfort food ! Will definitely be trying that x
So simple and delicious, it really takes all your worries away!