Greek Salad Gazpacho With Kalamata Olive Croutons

FUN FACT: The Mediterranean diet is many things, but more than anything it’s a road map for how not to waste food! Turning stale, leftover bread into delicious recipes is an age-old tradition that spans the region’s many different cuisines. Crostini, bruschetta, Greek bread-based dips like skordalia and more are all ways in which poor […]
No-bake Vegan Cheesecake With Greek Flavors, Coconut Crust And Cinnamon

A PLACE FOR DESSERT: Why a Vegan Cheesecake? Why a dessert at all in a compilation of recipes that aim to be plant-based and life-enhancing? For one, at least in my experience on Ikaria, centenarians don’t avoid eating sweets. They just do so judiciously and make a special occasion out of it. Most traditional Greek […]
Seared Tofu With Portobello Mushrooms, Shallots And Herbs

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 it […]
Spiced Anatolian Root Vegetables

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 course. […]
Creamy Orzo Casserole With Vegetables

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, such […]
Spicy Mushrooms With Chili Peppers and Garlic

USEFUL TIP: The best way to protect your unpacked, loose mushrooms from fridge humidity is inside a paper bag or wrapped with newspapers.
Low-Carb Sheet-Pan Chicken Drumsticks Roasted with Oranges, Onions and Rosemary

Here’s a wonderful Mediterranean meal and great Mediterranean diet recipe for sheet pan chicken that’s easy and tasty. Chicken is a go-to Mediterranean diet food protein because it’s so convenient and there are, truth be told, so many great chicken recipes across the region, it’s hard to choose. The deliciously pungent Greek garlic, Greek olive […]
Spicy Steamed Mussels Filled With Nuts, Onions And Herbs

HELPFUL TIP: To remove the beard from the mussels, grab it with your thumb and forefinger and tug it toward the hinge of the mussel shell. You can also use a knife to gently scrape away the beard.Ideally, you want to prepare and cook the mussels as soon after buying as possible, but as long […]
Spiced Raw Carrot Salad

FUN FACT: Carrots are about 10 percent carbs, consisting of starch, fiber, and simple sugars. They are extremely low in fat and protein. Also, the beta carotene in carrots is a skin-friendly nutrient that gets converted to vitamin A inside the body, and we need vitamin A to strengthen our immune systems, for eye health […]
Easy-peasy Vegan Pizza With Chickpeas, Artichokes And Arugula
FUN NUTRITIONAL FACTS: You could call this pizza for health! Who doesn’t love a quick savory pie or pizza? You can experiment with different flatbreads and flatbreads made with different grains. The toppings are what give this pizza its…pizzazz! Artichokes, chickpeas and arugula combine to make this a nutritional powerhouse. Chickpeas provide earthy satisfaction and […]