Zucchini Patties with Corn & Herbs
Zucchini is one of the most popular vegetables in the Greek diet and in the Mediterranean diet overall. This garden classic is very versatile. In Greek cooking, it is prepared in countless ways: grated and as a filling for many different regional savory pies, cut into rounds or fingers and pan-fried as a classic meze, stuffed, and also turned into delicious patties. This recipe is a variation of one that I do at my cooking school on the Blue Zone Greek island of Ikaria. It’s packed with Mediterranean diet ingredients and is gorgeous, delicious and nutritious!
Greek Meatballs with Avgolemono and Santorini Capers
Greek meatballs, aka keftedes, are an all-time Greek classic! This Greek recipe for meatballs goes a step or two further, with a cloak of avgolemono, the tangy Greek egg-lemon sauce, and a few tablespoons of Santorini capers to perk up the whole dish. It also calls for lamb, so makes for a whole new take […]
Avocado Ice Cream with Aegina Pistachio and Greek Honey
I hope this avocado ice cream with Aegina pistachios and Greek honey qualifies as a healthy ice cream recipe! The creaminess of ripe avocados means that we can add less milk and cream. I use Greek honey, which is packed with antioxidants and minerals, instead of sugar in this recipe. It’s an indulgence for sure, […]
Greek Vegan Sautéed Anaheim Peppers with Basil and Extra Virgin Greek Olive Oil
Greek summer recipes for peppers abound, from simple roasted peppers garnished with extra virgin Greek olive oil and Greek oregano to stuffed peppers, pepper and sausage stews and more. This simple meze or side dish is a great and easy way to cook summer peppers. Favorite varieties include Anaheim peppers, banana peppers or just plain […]
Greek Vegetarian Penne with Charred Eggplant, Tomatoes, and Extra Virgin Greek Olive Oil
In the Greek diet, pasta figures in both vegetarian recipes and with animal protein, such as the classic baked Greek pasta recipe, pastitsio. My personal favorites are the Greek pasta recipes that bring to mind the best of the Mediterranean diet, with Mediterranean ingredients that focus on plants. This Greek recipe for penne calls for […]
GRILLED EGGPLANT PANINI
Chipotle peppers aren’t a traditional variety in the Mediterannean, but this dish was born out of my work in the kitchen at New York’s Pylos, where the chef, Juan Tzitzimititla, sometimes throws together what I like to call Med-Med treats for himself and his Mexican cooks. Munch on this simple sandwich at lunchtime with a […]
Panfried Eggplant with Crumbled Feta
Eggplants with feta are found in tavernas and prepared at home with equal gusto. You don’t even have to follow through the last step -broiling the dish so that the cheese melts. Once the eggplants are softened in the skillet, you can serve them, warm or at room temperature, with feta crumbled on top.
BROCCOLI CRUST PIZZA WITH MUSHROOMS, AVOCADO AND CREAMY LIGHT CHEESE SAUCE
BROCCOLI PIZZA CRUST – A FEW TIPS! This ersatz but delicious pizza definitely tastes best the day it is made. But if you’re a pizza lover like I am, you also know the guilty pleasures of enjoying a leftover slice the next day. You can reheat this in a hot oven at about 400 degrees […]
Creamy Light Baked Cauliflower Gratin
ABOUT OAT MILK: I chose to use oat milk in this recipe because it is the creamiest of all the non-dairy milks out there. You can, of course, use cow’s milk or even goat’s milk in this recipe, but if you want to reduce your dairy intake, oat milk is a good option. Read the […]
Sugar Free Lemon Ice Pops
CHILLED BEET-TOMATO BORSCHT
BEETROOT NUTRITION: Beets – both the greens and the bulbs – are an important part of the Ikaria diet and an important ingredient in the Greek and Mediterranean diets. The greens are nutritionally comparable to iron-rich spinach but the bulbs are also very healthy, although they contain natural sugars and carbs. Overall, beets are a […]
Farro Salad With Sundried Tomatoes, Feta And Herbs
ABOUT FARRO: Farro, a high-protein, high-fiber ancient whole-grain wheat, figures prominently in the Mediterranean diet. It looks similar to barley, though with a slightly more oblong and larger grain. Like barley, farro retains a notable amount of chew when it gets cooked. Farro and barley can be used interchangeably in most recipes. Farro is a […]