Watermelon Smoothie
HEALTHY TIPS: Are you a smoothie fan? Smoothies can be an excellent way to eat a balanced meal on the go or when there’s time pressure. Some of the healthiest ingredients to add in a smoothie are fruit, veggies, protein, liquids, spices/ extracts and spirulina. I enjoy adding plain Greek yogurt in my smoothies, as […]
Mediterranean Warm Grilled Vegetable Salad
VEGGIES EVERY WHICH WAY: This selection of vegetables is like a poster child for Mediterranean cooking. Tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, and eggplant combine in countless ways, from dishes like French Ratatouille to Greek Briam to more complex layered recipes that include cheese or are seasoned with local flavor palettes. But they also make for a great […]
Balsamic-glazed Pork Chops
A LITTLE CARNIVOROUS INDULGENCE: It might seem odd to include an occasional meat dish, and for pork, nonetheless, in a recipe club aimed at sharing and teaching the benefits of a mostly plant-based diet. In the Mediterranean, though, meat consumption is not anathema; it’s just not a daily or, dare I say, even weekly indulgence, […]
Lagana (Flat, Wide Lenten Bread)
Lagana is a special Greek bread, flat and wide and eaten but one day a year, on Clean Monday at the start of Lent. Traditionally, lagana was unleavened, but now commercial bakers use yeast in its preparation. I learned to make this from a local baker in my neighborhood in Athens. Lagana claims another tradition […]
Spanish-style Baked Omelet With Chorizo and Vegetables
CHORIZO 101: Chorizo is a name given to a variety of sausages, both fresh and cured originating in the Iberian peninsula. It is made with chopped pork meat and pork fat, seasoned with paprika and garlic, all stuffed into a natural gut. Although there are many regional varieties, most chorizo can usually be placed into […]
Portobello Mushrooms Stuffed With Briam
PRAISE FOR THE PORTOBELLO Because they’re so substantial, fleshy and succulent, portobello mushrooms easily satisfy even the most tempting cravings for red meat. They’re nothing more than the mature form of button and cremini mushrooms. All of these mushrooms are, in fact the same species at different stages of maturity. Portobellos are rich in flavor, […]
Orecchiete With Mastiha or Tomato Sauce
HELPFUL TIP: Orecchiette means little ears in Italia, for the shape of these small thumb-size discs with an indentation makes them perfect for “clinging” to the sauce. The shape is a traditional one from Puglia in the Italian boot, and there it’s usually served with a simple chunky tomato sauce. You can substitute Orecchiette with […]
Herby Grilled Panini With Caramelized Onions, Spinach, Vegan Or Real Mozzarella And Tomatoes
HELPFUL TIP: One of the secrets of preparing a fantastic panini is to make sure that the grill is hot. This way, you’ll achieve better grill marks. Another secret is that you don’t need a panini press; actually, you can use a frying pan instead. Place something heavy (like a heavy pan) on top of […]
Vegan Quinoa – Spinach – Chickpea Avgolemono
A LITTLE HISTORY: Avgolemono is a Greek sauce made from eggs, lemon, and warm broth. Commonly added to soups for thickening, the sauce is used to dress up everything from roasted vegetables to fish dishes. “Vegan avgolemono” sounds like an oxymoron but it really is something that can be found in Greek cuisine, especially on […]
Low Carb Tabbouleh
HELPFUL TIP: Did you know that bulgur wheat technically doesn’t have to be cooked, but rather soaked, thanks to the grains already being parboiled? Just soaking works very well for fine bulgur wheat. But for medium or coarse the soaking method takes a while, so giving it a simmer and then a soak speeds things […]
Vegan Greek Island Tomato Fritters
HELPFUL TIP: If you’re wondering the kind of tomatoes needed for this recipe, look for fleshy, not juicy. Some use plum or Italian tomatoes because they have a thicker flesh and they’re less watery.
Sweet Potato Pancakes With Greek Yogurt
ALMOND FLOUR NUTRITION: Almond flour can replace wheat flour in almost every recipe and it’s a great alternative for people watching their gluten intake. The vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in almond flour can provide important health benefits. For example, manganese helps the body properly clot blood, allowing it to heal after injuries. Manganese also helps […]