Main Courses Recipes
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.
FUN FACT: Onions are a really important ingredient in the Greek-Mediterranean diet and in the longevity foods of Ikarians and other denizens of the Blue Zones. They’re rich in plant compounds and antioxidants, and they make everything taste better, too! There are a few differences in taste and nutritional components among onions. Colorful varieties, such […]
I don’t think I can say this enough: The Greek-Mediterranean diet is packed with excellent, hearty, main course vegetable fare prepared in every way, shape and form. Soup, of course, is one way we eat vegetables, and in winter that’s often part of a weekly Mediterranean meal plan! It’s also a great way to prepare […]
Here’s a wonderful Mediterranean meal and great Mediterranean diet recipe for sheet pan chicken that’s easy and tasty. Chicken is a go-to Mediterranean diet food protein because it’s so convenient and there are, truth be told, so many great chicken recipes across the region, it’s hard to choose. The deliciously pungent Greek garlic, Greek olive […]
The concept of using ground nuts, especially walnuts, to help thicken a sauce is rooted in some of the regional Lenten traditions of Greece. It was a brilliant way for cooks to mimic the texture of, say, ground meat, during periods of fasting, and to provide important nutrition. (read more on Notes below)
PRACTICAL FACT: Beans are one of the most important foods to consume when thinking about a healthy longevity diet. They’re rich in fiber and complex carbs and they are crucial to one of the most important aspects of health: our gut! Ikarians and Greeks in general cook beans every which way, but it’s when combining […]
Miracle Onions and Leeks. Onions and leeks are miracle ingredients, bursting with nutrients and compounds that help fight cancer and diabetes. Too boot, they’re also really tasty and the foundation of so many great Greek recipes. They even star in a few, like this simple onion-leek pie from Ikaria! One of the major phytochemical compounds […]
Do you ever get the yen for a healthier version of fast food? Is there anything more irresistible than a down-and-dirty gyro, dripping with tzatziki, the garlicky Greek yogurt sauce, oozing with ripe tomato rounds, and filled with thin slices of smoky chicken? Gyro is one of the best ever street food classics and this […]
Greek Biftekia and Briam are both classic recipes. I combine them in this dish, essentially a Mediterranean sheet-pan recipe, for an all-in-one, easy, healthy meal. This is a great example of how to change the geography of your plate, placing equal of not more emphasis on vegetables over protein. Kids will love it, too!
This Mediterranean diet recipe calls for a very traditional, nutritious Greek-Mediterranean ingredient: tahini! Used all over the Eastern Mediterranean, tahini is one of the superfoods of the Mediterranean diet. While this isn’t a traditional Greek recipe per se, but rather inspired by the delicious cold sesame noodles in Chinese cuisine, the extra virgin Greek olive […]