She Cooks, Too!
Laura McBryde Photography
with
JOANNA MATHES
There are many delicious goodies for us to devour during the holiday season,
seventy years ago. There were midnight services we attended, then we came home
like turkey and dressing and fruit cake (to name just a few). While some folks are
to celebrate. This was during the war, so we didn’t have a lot. Gifts were not given
busy trying out new culinary adventures each Christmas, for others it just wouldn’t
until January first. Today in Greece, Christmas is celebrated like it is in America with
be Christmas without their beloved family recipes. A staple piece of culinary delight
Christmas trees and gifts.”
in the household of Joanna Mathes is her mother’s apple cake, which made its fa-
“I still try to prepare as much as I can before Christmas. I always bake for those
mous appearance every Christmas when Joanna was a child growing up in Greece.
who are ill during the holidays, and I also enjoy sharing with friends. Of course, the
“We couldn’t buy apples in those days; so we had apple trees, and we had to wait
best thing about baking is the eating! I like to make things look pretty.” Although she
until they were ripe for Mother to cook the cake.”
uses written family recipes when needed, Joanna has most of them memorized, due
Like her mother before her, Joanna makes the cake every Christmas. Best described by Joanna as moist and sweet, every person who comes in contact with
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to baking for so many years. “I change the recipe occasionally by adding different
things.”
the delightful dessert is sure to leave with a smile on their face as their sweet tooth
In addition to baking her beloved apple cake this Christmas, Joanna is anticipating
is completely satisfied. Growing up in Greece, holiday traditions were a bit differ-
the fellowship of the ones she loves most. “The thing I look forward to more than
ent than they are here in America. “In Greece, they fasted for 40 days, back sixty to
anything else is having all of the family together at my home.”
DECEMBER 2015
SHEMAGAZINE.COM