When I think of my grandmother Maria, I immediately see her standing in the kitchen and laughing. She is not a tall woman, but her laugh and presence fills the room. Cooking is not just a daily task for her, it is a way to show love, especially to her children and grandchildren. Her kitchen is the heart of the home, and that is where the magic begins.
Grandma Maria grew up in a small Greek village, where everyone knew each other and the table was always full of food, no matter how poor they were. She has taken that mentality with her to her own family. For her, taking care of the family is everything. No matter how busy she is, there is always a plate of hot food ready when someone comes in. Making sure people are having a good time is very important to her.
What I love most about Grandma is her ability to make something special from simple ingredients. A handful of tomatoes, some feta and olive oil from the garden are transformed in her hands into a meal that is beyond belief. She cooks with feeling, without recipes. Everything is based on years of experience and intuition.
But it's not just about the food. It's about the people around her. For Grandma Maria, everyone is welcome. Family, friends, the neighbor who just walks by. Everyone gets a plate and is welcomed with open arms. She has a gift for making you feel at home, no matter where you come from.
It is that warmth and care that I admire so much. She doesn’t talk much about her love for us, but you can feel it in everything she does. Whether she is busy making her famous rízi or giving you a thick sweater because she thinks you are cold, she shows in her own way that she is always there for you.
Grandma Maria is the center of our family. Her home is a place where everyone comes together, and it all starts in the kitchen, where she shows us how much she loves us with her dishes.
Grandma has been using the same olive oil that TOPIKÁ olive oil sells her entire life, hopefully TOPIKÁ olive oil will bring you as many fond memories as it did for us.