Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 77576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Aunt Marj drops her gaze.
Weird.
“Can you make Greek food?” I ask.
Aunt Marj makes a note on one of the recipes in front of her. “I can make any kind of food, Ava.”
I laugh. “Sorry, I forgot who I was talking to.”
“The real question is, can you make Greek food?”
“I can bake anything.”
“Have you ever baked pita?”
“Of course I have. I just don’t sell it in my bakery.”
“We’ll need lots of pita,” Aunt Marj says. “Maybe some Greek olive bread as well.”
“Easy enough. I make a really awesome kalamata olive loaf, as you know. I can just adjust a few things.”
“There’s also Greek Easter bread.”
“Aunt Marj, how many kinds of bread do we need?”
“I’m just thinking out loud. I think pita and Greek olive bread will be fine.”
“Good. So that’ll be my contribution. What else do you need from me?”
“I need you to help me plan the menu.”
“Of course.”
Aunt Marj rises, picking up the cookbooks that are spread out in front of her. She takes them to a cupboard, inserts them, and pulls out another—this one with kabobs and eggplant on the cover.
“Opa!” She brings the book to the table and opens it. “I haven’t used this Greek cookbook in a long time. It’ll be great to delve into it.”
“What about baklava for dessert?” I ask. “I’m experienced with that.”
“That’s a thought.”
“Of course, it wouldn’t be a Steel party without one of your cakes.”
“True enough.” Aunt Marjorie taps her cheek. “But I like the idea of baklava. Do your parents like it?”
“You know my parents. They’ll eat anything.”
“True. Let’s do both,” she says. “I’ll make one of my cakes, and you make baklava.”
“Good enough.”
“Now, invitations.”
“I’m no graphic designer,” I say.
“No, and neither am I. Jade can handle those.”
Aunt Jade is usually Aunt Marj’s second-in-command when it comes to all the Steel parties. I just provide the baked goods, except for the cakes. I make a darn good cake, but Aunt Marj’s cakes are legendary. I’ve tried to get her to work for me at the shop, to make some cakes, and I’d give her the profits. She always says no, that it would take the joy out of it for her. I don’t understand that, since I get all kinds of joy out of baking, and I make a living from it.
Aunt Marjorie leafs through the book. “We can go traditional, or we can go a little more modern.”
“Honestly? I like the idea of traditional. We don’t get to eat much Greek food here on the western slope.”
Aunt Marj laughs. “Somehow I don’t see your cousins—the male ones—getting excited about stuffed grape leaves.”
“So we’ll make sure there are lots of gyros. Beef gyros. Plus, I think Mom and Dad would love it. Dad can do the wine pairing. You know, come out of retirement and all.”
Aunt Marj taps her cheek again. “You know? You’re right. This party is for them, after all. They may like this Greek thing. Especially if we tie it into Dionysus with the wine.”
“Right,” I say, “and we can forget about the fertility and sex fest.”
“Well, we won’t mention it anyway.” Aunt Marj smiles.
I make a few notes on my phone. “How many pitas and olive loaves are you thinking?”
“Invitations haven’t gone out yet, but Steel parties are always very well attended.”
“True. Can we expect maybe a hundred guests?”
“I’m thinking close to two hundred. This is an anniversary party.”
“Okay. I’ll need to order my supplies and make sure I can get enough bread made in time along with all my Thanksgiving orders.”
“I know. We probably should’ve started planning a little earlier.”
“I shouldn’t have any problem getting supplies,” I say. “I get all my flour and other grains from a heritage supplier in Grand Junction. I’ll give them a call first thing tomorrow.”
“Okay. Let me know if you have any trouble. I have some contacts as well and can probably get you what you need.”
I nod. “So what else?”
“If we’re going to go traditional Greek, make a list of what you’d like to see.”
“Moussaka,” I say.
Aunt Marj closes her eyes. “Mmm. I love moussaka! It’s easy to make, too. Bryce hates eggplant, but like you said, we’ll have lots of gyros.”
“Although…” I rub my chin. “Maybe kabobs would be better. Gyros are usually made with chicken or pork. Sometimes lamb. Or a lamb and beef combo. Rarely beef by itself.”
Aunt Marj nods. “We do have beef in abundance here at Steel Acres.”
“Kabobs would be easier, too,” I say. “We’ll marinate the meat and veggies, and they can be grilled ahead of time and kept warm. Gyros require a rotisserie, and though it would be amazing to watch, it’s a lot of work.”
“True.” Aunt Marj smiles. “You’ve convinced me, Ava. Beef kabobs, moussaka, and then traditional Greek salads with pita and your olive bread. Baklava and cake for dessert.”
“Sounds like a lot of work,” I say.