Mediterranean Recipes
MUSHROOMS AS MEATThere’s been a trend these past few years in nutrition and food circles to substitute red meat with mushrooms. While mushrooms don’t have the same amount of protein as meat, nor do they provide comparable amounts of iron, zinc, or vitamin B-12, they do have a meaty flavor, are a good source of […]
The Wonders of Pumpkin SeedsAdding pumpkin seeds to this already nutrition-packed bulgur salad will up the ante on health benefits! The seeds are a concentrated source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and essential amino acids. They’re high in calories but most of their calories come from protein and fats. They’re a rich source of monounsaturated fatty […]
Dried vs Canned Black Beans Dried black beans need to be soaked overnight and then cooked. The length of time needed to prepare them is their biggest drawback when it comes to comparing them to canned beans. But from a nutrition and sodium perspective, dried, soaked home-cooked beans are definitely better and richer in nutrients. […]
About Yogurt Soups Throughout the Eastern Mediterranean, yogurt is a basic ingredient, the use of which dates back thousands of years. Fermented dairy has always been an important source of nourishment in this part of the world. Some of these soups, such as the Armenian Spas, contain cooked wheatberries and are served hot. Others, like […]
About Bonito: Many people might know bonito in its dried, flaky form and as the basis for dashi, the Japanese soup stock that is the foundation of miso soup. Bonito is an oily fish in the tuna, sardine, and mackerel family and is quite popular throughout the Mediterranean, where it is eaten fresh in many […]
As far as Greek salads go, beans and legumes figure pretty prominently. Lentils are especially loved in Greek salads and have been part of the Greek diet forever, as they are one of the oldest cultivated legumes in the Eastern Mediterranean. This Greek salad has an unusual combination of basic Mediterranean diet ingredients, such as […]
WHY LEMON ZEST? Lemon zest is one of my secret go-to ingredients when I want to perk up the flavor of otherwise mild or subtle dishes. Can you think of another vegetable as mild as zucchini?! Lemon is, in fact, as crucial a flavor enhancer as salt and works pretty much the same way on […]
In the Greek diet, pasta is often cooked with both proteins such as chicken as well as a whole bevy of seasonal vegetables and fresh or dried Greek herbs. This easy recipe is perfect for weeknight meal when you’re looking for something fast and healthy and when you need a little of that one-of-a-kind comfort […]
Tapenade is one of the great spreads of the Mediterranean diet and one of the greatest Mediterranean diet ingredients in its own right. In Greece, we’ve been making an olive spread like tapenade with Kalamata olives and with green olives for eons, too. The Greek diet is packed with all sorts of great healthy recipes […]
As far as grilled cheese sandwiches go, the Greek diet is packed with a number of them, and halloumi, a Cypriot cheese, is an excellent choice. It stands up very well to the heat of a grill, without melting into liquid, and provides great, intense, minty flavor and a very satisfying texture. It’s a great […]