June's Recipe:
Chios Mastiha Cheesecake
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Chios Mastiha
traditionally was used in breads, ice creams, and in
some island cheesecakes, small parcels
of delicate pastry filled with fresh sheep's milk cheese
that were and still are a regional and
seasonal-Easter-specialty in many of the Aegean islands.
Here, with the advent of Greek yogurt, which is
widely available all over the world, and classic cream
cheese, the traditionalGreek-island cheesecake
gets a modern spin.
Chios Mastiha liqueur is used in the dish below.
It is subtler and lighter in flavor than either powder
or crystals, but every brand of the liqueur is slightly
different; some have a strong and marked Mastiha
presence, while in others the spice is understated,
sometimes even combined with anise to make a more
complex flavor profile. |
Ingredients:
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- 3 egg yolks
- 100 gr. (3 oz.) sugar
- 4 oz. Chios Mastiha liqueur
- 2 gelatin sheets, 7 gr. (1/4 oz.) each, soaked in
water to soften
- 420 gr. (14 oz.) cream cheese
- 2 Tbsp. strained Greek yogurt
- 8 fresh min leaves, finely chopped
- 300 ml (10 oz.) heavy cream, whipped stiff
- Fresh strawberries for garnish
- 4-6 Tbsp. strawberry sauce or coulis, for garnish
- 2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
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Preparation:
1. Beat the egg yolks, sugar, and Chios Mastiha liqueur
in a double boiler until the mixture
is creamy and pale.
2. Melt the gelatin in a little water over low heat in a
small sauce pan and beat it into the
egg mixture. Add the cream cheese, yogurt, and mint
leaves.
3. Whip the cream to stiff peaks and fold it gently into
the mixture. Pour into individual molds
and chill for at least four hours before serving. To
serve, turn onto a plate and decorate with a few
strawberries, strawberry sauce, and balsamic vinegar.
Makes 6-8 servings.
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 Excerpts
and Photography from: Chios Mastiha: More than 20 Great
Recipes for the World's Healthiest Spice
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June's Article
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The Properties & Uses of Mastiha
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The many uses of Chios Mastiha in modern
cosmetology!
MEDICAL REMEDIES
The ancient belief that Chios Mastiha possesses therapeutic and cosmetic properties is now backed by
contemporary scientific research. Understandably,
international interest for this precious resin from the
island of Chios is growing year after year. So far, a
series of studies has proved Chios Mastiha's
contribution to the prevention of bacterial development
in the oral cavity and of bacterial plaque. It is
therefore used in many toothpastes and mouthwash
solutions to promote fresh breath and prevent decay.
Modern cosmetology has started to utilize the
clinically tested and proved antimicrobial, antioxidant,
anti-inflammatory and healing properties of Chios
Mastiha by making use of its essential oil. Cosmetics
which are enriched with Chios Mastiha oil ensure
in-depth skin care and offer anti-ageing protection. At
the same time, by controlling the excretion of sebum,
Chios Mastiha oil-based cosmetics significantly reduce
problems associated with oily skin, such as a shiny
appearance. Because collagen production is boosted,
frequent use helps soften lines and wrinkles, and
ensures greater elasticity. Chios Mastiha oil also
improves the appearance of photo aged skin and deeply
moisturizes, while it is beneficial for skin types prone
to acne or black spots. As a conclusion, cosmetics
containing Chios Mastiha give both face and body a
youthful and healthy appearance, thus confirming ancient
beliefs regarding the beneficial contribution of Chios
resin to beauty.
 You
can best benefit from the beauty-enhancing properties of
Chios Mastiha 'tears', by making the cosmetics best
suited to your skin type and your individual needs
yourselves. In the following pages you will find several
tried and tested recipes, chosen by virtue of their
simplicity and availability of ingredients. Offer
yourself a complete beauty treatment based on Chios
Mastiha and you will soon join the leagues of its loyal
devotees.
Although it has been clinically proved that skin irritations or other unwanted reactions are almost never
caused by cosmetics containing Chios Mastiha or Chios Mastiha oil, please do note that it would be wise
to do the following simple test to exclude the possibility of an allergic or hypersensitivity reaction:
dilute a drop of Chios Mastiha oil within a teaspoonful of vegetable oil and rub the blend on the inner
part of your elbow. Check the skin after 24 hours for irritations, redness, or itchiness. In the unlikely
event that such reactions should occur, please refrain from making and using cosmetics containing Chios
Mastiha or Chios Mastiha oil.
Read the facts and science
here.
Get beauty advice including how to
make your
own home beauty products.
Cook and be healthier with
these recipes... and a bit of
history.
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Shop for Mastic Products >>>>>>
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 MASTIHA BEAUTY CARE
RECIPE:
Chios Mastiha Oil Deodorant
30ml witch hazel extract, 30ml aloe vera gel, 30ml
mineral water, 1 tsp vegetable glycerine, 10 drops Chios
Mastiha oil, 10 drops bergamot essential oil, 5 drops
sage essential oil
Combine all ingredients stirring thoroughly and transfer deodorant into a bottle with a spray nozzle attachment. Shake very well before each use. If you will be exposed to the sun, replace bergamot with thyme essential oil, as the former increases the risk of sunburn.
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The
loom is composed by 4 "istopodes" or "keleontes",
upon which the "antion" (the upper
horizontal cylindrical wooden beam) is fixed.
From is the "stimon" (the threads) and the
"kairos" (the lower horizontal cylindrical
wooden beam) are hanged. "Agnythes" (clay, stone
or lead loomweights, in the shape of a pyramid)
where tied on the lower part of the warps, was
made with the aid of the "mitos", e.g. the loops
of working alternately to and from and
letting the ball of the thread pass between the
warps. The weaving was mad upwards and the cloth
was wrapped around the "antion". The loom was
reconstructed by students of the Krestena
Gymnasium, in the Technology laboratory of the
school, in order to produce Hera's peplos for
the "revival of Heraia", therefore it
bears the inscription "to Hera potnia" written
in Linear B. For its construction much pictorial
information drawn by 23 ancient decorated vases,
sometimes controversial, was used.
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GEOGRAPHY
Anaphi is the southeastern-most island of the
Cyclades, isolated from the rest of the archipelago, its
nearest neighbor being Thera (12 nautical miles away).
38 sq. km. in area, with 32 km. of coastline, it is 272
nautical miles from Piraeus. In the summer there is a
regular boat service from Piraeus, once a week in
winter. Again in the summer there is a link with los and
Santorini and, less frequently, with Syros, Paros,
Naxos, Sikinos, Pholegandros. Once a week there is a
connection with Crete, the Dodecanese, the isles of the
north and east Aegean and Kavala when the boat on the
route Piraeus-Kavala calls in. Its capital is Anaphi (Chora)
with a population of 292. Its terrain is mountainous
(highest peak Vigla, 584 m. a.s.l.) and there are no
tracts of cultivated land. Virgin soil as far as tourism
is concerned, Anaphi is fine for those wanting to
withdraw from the world and get back to nature.
