Almost 100 years ago, Greeks from the shores of Asia Minor, present-day Turkey, emigrated en masse into Greece, inundating areas, among them the port of Piraeus and environs, forever changing both the flavors and music of their adopted homeland. Amid the riffs of their rebetika music, in one of the oldest tavernas in Greece, Diane tells the story of how their exodus and arrival on Greek shores brought the likes of exotic spices, luscious urbane recipes and soulful music to Greece. Back in her kitchen, she cooks up a selection of the most famous dishes these Greeks have brought to the mainland and which have become an indelible part of the culinary tapestry. Pita Kaisarias (phyllo cups with pasturma and kaseri cheese); Soutzoukakia Smyrneika (cumin-scented meatball sausages In tomato sauce); Eggplant Stuffed with Onions, Raisins and Grape Molasses.
