YOGURT KNOW-HOW: Warm and cold yogurt soups abound all over the Eastern Mediterranean. From the Syrian lamb-yogurt soup called shakrya to Turkish yogurt soups, the variety is impressive and spiciness is almost always part of the flavor palette, counterbalancing the cool, refreshing qualities of really good yogurt. Yogurt and Yogurt Substitutes: If you’re using […]
HELPFUL TIP:Roast raw pine nuts on a tray in a 350℉ (180℃) oven for about 10 minutes, shaking halfway through. They can also be toasted on top of the stove in a heavy skillet, stirring often until they turn golden. Keep a close eye on the pine nuts as they can very quickly move […]
RELAX WITH WINE:Wine is the de facto way people on Ikaria relax, always drinking in moderation and in the company of friends, but also, often, watering down their wine lest it adversely goes to their heads! Taking a cue from this ancient habit, this wine cocktail is also a mixture of, well, wine and […]
A LITTLE HISTORY AND A HELPFUL TIP: Corn has been an important part of the original Ikaria diet, in so far as one can claim that, with corn being a New World crop. But what I mean is that once established in the Mediterranean, for almost half a millenium now, it became something people […]
PRACTICAL TIP – KNIFE SKILLS 101!:A paring knife, small and pointy, is ideal for the incisions. Knives which are continually used must always be kept sharp—a blunt or dull knife is dangerous because it requires more pressure and is more likely to slip and cause an injury.
HOW TO MAKE A GLUTEN-FREE TABBOULEH:Bulgur is one of the oldest grain products in the Eastern Mediterranean, as wheat is one of the three members of the holy trinity of Mediterranean Diet plants (the other two being the olive tree and grape vine). But in these gluten-intolerant times, knowing some viable substitutes for much-maligned […]
WHAT IS MASTIHA AND HOW DO YOU GRIND IT:Greeks consider Mastiha their #1 superfood, a panacea that’s good for everything from gut health to gum health! But it’s also an incredibly versatile spice, pairing beautifully and adding an exotic mysterious undertone to everything from citrusy dishes to tomato-based dishes to savory and sweet white […]
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: TOFU AS AN EGG SUBSTITUTE Tofu makes a great substitute for eggs, but the trick is to find the right kind of tofu. Experiment with different brands and degrees of firmness or softness and try to opt for a tofu variety that is as close as possible to the final texture […]
HELPFUL TIP: You can also layer the salad as indicated above without dressing or garnishing it. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. The flavors of the beets and onions will marry better that way, but the onions will likely absorb some of the red color of the beets. Dress and garnish […]
HELPFUL TIP & A LITTLE NUT BUTTER LOVE: Freeze the bananas before pureeing and reduce the amount of ice cubes to a cup to get an extra-smooth smoothie! It’s the nut butter that adds that extra oomf in this easy smoothie recipe. Why? Almond butter is a good source of monounsaturated fat and protein […]