Vegetable Recipes
ABOUT ALL-MIGHTY ARUGULA While this salad has so many great things going for it, I want to focus on the arugula, one of the most beloved salad greens in the Mediterranean. Here’s why! Arugula is a nutrient-dense food that is high in fiber and phytochemicals. These include: Calcium, for bone health, tooth health, muscle […]
This delicious Greek chickpea recipe with spinach epitomizes the simple way that healthy, plant-based Mediterranean ingredients come together in the Greek and Mediterranean diet. Chickpeas are one of the oldest cultivated legumes in the Eastern Mediterranean and Greeks have been enjoying them for eons. You can easily swap out the spinach for something more […]
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 […]
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: You’ve probably guessed after reading this recipe that tofu is hardly a traditional ingredient in the Blue-Zone longevity diet of Ikaria. But it is elsewhere and it is available and widely embraced among plant-loving, health-conscious Greeks! So, I’ve embraced it, too, and have discovered that its versatility and mild flavor make adapting […]
FUN FACT: If one thing sets Greek food apart from other cuisines across the Mediterranean, it is the prevalence of purely plant-based main courses. This root vegetable stew, while inspired by the spice palette of regions a little further to the East, is a great example of a hearty, totally plant-based, real-food vegan main […]
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, […]
You can use any nut you like, or even seeds, such as roasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds, for the pesto. But if you do use pistachios, I highly recommend the amazing Aegina pistachios from my online shop. A word about mushrooms and eating for longevity: Mushrooms have always been a part of the longevity […]