Greek salad is a legendary part of the Greek-Mediterranean diet, and there are many Greek salads to speak of, each enjoyed in its season with whatever is fresh. This Greek salad is typically savored in spring, when tender lettuce is at its peak. It’s usually served shredded and dressed with a simple olive oil-lemon vinaigrette. […]
A healthy breakfast is an important part of the Mediterranean diet. One of the most important, nutritious and traditional Mediterranean diet ingredients for breakfast is tahini, or sesame paste. It is chick full of vitamins and minerals and a great source of easy-to-digest calcium. This breakfast is a superfood bonanza and it will keep you […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
A LITTLE HISTORY: There are 37 official versions of Caponata, which is essentially a sweet and sour ratatouille and a specialty of Sicily. Sicilian Caponata mirrors all the flavors of all the conquerors who have ever stepped foot on the island. This version, not among the 37 official ones, calls for Greek olives as a […]
HELPFUL INFO: Mushrooms are a low-carb, low-fat ingredient packed with about 15 vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B6, folate, magnesium, zinc and potassium. Mushrooms are also rich in antioxidants and they’re one of the few foods that contain vitamin D, which is essential for building strong bones, reducing inflammation and improving immune function.
HELPFUL TIP: Do you own a smoothie maker or are you using a good old-fashioned blender instead? A smoothie maker is quite handy because it’s easier to clean, takes up less space but usually is less powerful than blenders. The latter is larger and can be used for a variety of everyday kitchen tasks like […]
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 […]