"Spectator" newspaper interviews Prof Kouris about

LIVING
LONGER WITH A
MEDITERRANEAN
DIET
A Mediterranean diet is the recipe for a long
and healthy life. With a bonus that you’ll
have less wrinkles.
Study after study has shown that the
legumes, extra virgin olive oil and herbs
in the Mediterranean diet help people
live longer, giving this dietary regime the
highest possible ranking by the National
Health and Medical Research Council for
the prevention of heart disease.
The Mediterranean diet has also been
shown to lower the risk of depression,
cancers, Alzheimer’s Disease, depression
and weight problems.
Antigone Kouris, Adjunct Associate
Professor in Dietetics at Latrobe University
in Melbourne, was brought up on a Greek
diet and was one of the first researchers to
extensively study its beneficial effects.
For her PhD she studied the traditional
Mediterranean diets of Greek people aged
70-plus in Melbourne. When she followed
up the study five years later, she found
they had a 50 per cent lower mortality
rate because of their healthy Greek diet,
compared to other ethnic groups covered
in the study.
While Professor Kouris’s studies have
concentrated on the Greek diet, she believes
the cuisine from Greece’s Mediterranean
neighbours like Turkey, Lebanon and Israel
are also a recipe for healthy living.
DELICIOUS
MEDITERRANEAN FOOD
AT CLAYPOT TAVERNA
Be transported to the Mediterranean
and dine on some of the healthiest, most
delicious food in Sydney at The Claypot
Taverna.
Here’s a customer review posted on The
Claypot’s: “This is one of my favourite
restaurants in Sydney. The lamb on claypot
is spectacular, it literally melts in your
mouth. Very cozy, food is delicious from
starter to coffee, spotless service and very
friendly staff” - Sylvia, 30 July 2013.
The Claypot specializes in traditional
Greek and Cypriot dishes, their flavour
enhanced in a woodfire oven and kept
warm by the claypots they are served in.
As you dine on your scrumptious
Mediterranean cuisine, you’re likely to
be serenaded on guitar by The Claypot’s
owner Con Pavlou.
Key ingredients in most dishes include
legumes, tomatoes and olive oil. Nuts also
figure prominently in a lot of The Claypot’s
“The Claypot is not just about good food,
but about a good time,” says Con.
Legumes and greens are another key
ingredient of the healthy Mediterranean
diet. And herbs also play an important role.
Prof Kouris calls oregano the ‘the King of
herbs.'
HAVE A SMASHING TIME
AT AESOP’S
“Oregano has amazing anti-microbial, antiinflammatory and the highest anti-oxidant
activity of all culinary herbs,” she said.
Plus she advocates Middle Eastern and
south-eastern Asian herbs and spices like
tumeric (found in curry powder, paprika
and chillies) which she believes can play
a positive role in improving the positive
effects of the Mediterranean diet.
The plates smashed on the restaurant’s
tile floor as customers dance the Zorba are
made of hardened plaster. So while they
make a satisfying smashing noise, there
aren’t any dangerous shards of crockery
posing an injury risk.
Then book a table at Aesop’s and smash
some plates in between orders of delicious
traditional Greek cuisine.
And a Medieterranean diet not only gives
you more years, it also gives you less
wrinkles!
“That was a side-benefit that we
discovered,” said Prof Kouris. ”I believe
olive oil plays an important part in this
because it’s high in anti-oxidants and
has the ability to protect skin from free
radicals.”
• Prof Kouris is the author of a number of
books on healthy eating, including You Are
What You COOK, which features dishes
adapted from traditional Greek recipes and
‘spiced up’ with Middle Eastern and
Asian herbs.
Had a bad day at the office or your spouse
annoying you again, and want to vent some
of your frustrations?
Plate smashing is a Greek tradition that’s
said to bring prosperity and good health.
In the 23 years since Aesop’s opened the
restaurant has generated a lot of good
health because customers have smashed
over 200,000 plates!
Aesop’s started out in Double Bay in 1991
and moved to its present site in the CBD
about 12 years ago.
Great Greek food
and great fun.
Established since 1991.
180 Anzac Parade
Kensington
Phone 9697 0721
Open Tuesday-Sunday
Brunch & lunch 10am-2pm
Dinner 5pm-10pm
James was born on the Greek island
of Samos, birthplace of ancient Greek
storyteller Aesop. Hence the name of his
restaurant.
Both of James' parents were cooks with
family recipes handed down and in use at
Aesop’s today. Plate-smashing was a strong
tradition when growing up on Samos,
which is why along with food and drink,
customers at Aesops can place an order for
a dozen plates for $20.
Restaurant
BOOK NOW!
02 - 9389 4000
Enjoy an enchanted evening
in a Parisian atmosphereBring your family & friends!
Dance to the
Zorba and break
plates!
131 Macquarie St,
Sydney
Ph.: 9247 5422
www.aesops.com.au
Celebrate life at
Lunch Wednesday-Friday
Dinner Wednesday-Saturday
THE FRENCH
RESTAURANT
306 OXFORD STREET BONDI JUNCTION
Available at all
times for private and
corporate functions
private and
corporate functions
www.claypottaverna.com.au
All fresh ingredients
Woodfire oven
Warm Greek hospitality
“People find it very therapeutic,” says
owner James Gamvros.
Fine Mediterranean cuisine
Specialising in fresh seafood,
steak and pasta.
The Best Value for
money in Bondi
Junction...
TRADITIONAL
MEDITERRANEAN
CUISINE
Claypot Taverna
recipes – walnuts, pine nuts, pistachios and
hazelnuts.
www. bistrodeparis.com.au
271-279 Elizabeth St Sydney
(near Hyde Park)
Phone 9267 0605
Lunch Monday to Friday
12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Dinner Monday to Saturday
5:30 pm to 9:30 pm - Closed Sunday
.........................................................
✂ ...Present this ad
and receive 10% from your
bill. Valid at any time.*
*Not available for set menu
Friday, June 27, 2014