Bonito Stew With Potatoes, Tomatoes & Oregano
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 […]
Apricots Roasted With Honey, Rosemary, And Sage
Apricot Appreciation! Apricots, with their delicious tart-sweet flavor, are a great fruit to pair with yogurt for an easy, elegant dessert. They’re also a good source of potassium, phosphorus, and Vitamin A. From a cook’s perspective, because they aren’t super sweet, they pair beautifully when roasted with aromatic, robust herbs like sage and rosemary.
Whole Roasted Chicken Stuffed with Wild Rice & Pine Nuts
MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN-RICE DISHES: Chicken and rice are a classic combo in the Mediterranean kitchen. In the context of the Ikaria Diet Recipe Club, enjoying animal protein at most once a week fits into an overall meal plan. On Ikaria, chicken and rooster are both esteemed meats, and in the traditional diet they were consumed sparingly, […]
Fanned Eggplant with Feta, Tomato and Herbs
MORE ABOUT THE EGGPLANT: The eggplant is one of the most loved vegetables in Greek cuisine. It’s an ideal partner to quintessential Greek and Mediterranean ingredients like onion, garlic, tomato, zucchini, and peppers. There are many eggplant varieties in Greece, from the light purple, long Tsakonitiki from the Peloponnese to small and large flask-shaped eggplants […]
Scallop, Pepper and Peach Salad
NOTE: Peaches and peppers go into an obscure but delicious salad from the Eastern Mediterranean. The combination is perfect. The peaches and peppers share a similar smooth and slippery texture but their distinctly different flavors provide a nice contrast. You can try this dish with shrimp, or even with grilled lobster.
Beetroot Tart Tatin
NOTE: Beets have are rich in water, have a fair ammount of fiber and protein, and low in calories.
Arugula Kiwi Salad
NOTE: Did you know that Greece was estimated to be the 3rd largest producer of the kiwi by the end of 2019 (from 4th place the previous year). Kiwis are highly nutritious and contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, plus fiber. They’re particularly rich in vitamin C, a nutrient that’s essential for immune health.
Melon, Cucumber & Lime Juice
NOTE: Melons are rich in nutrients, they may help to reduce blood pressure due to its high potassium and low sodium content. Honeydew melon contains several nutrients that are vital for repairing and maintaining strong bones, including folate, vitamin K and magnesium.
Portobello “Pizza” Marguerita
HELPFUL HINT: All mushrooms are versatile ingredients but portobello mushrooms are an excellent choice for all those wanting to reduce meat and animal protein from their diets. By adding portobellos to your diet, you help increase your fiber intake and lower your risk for heart disease, high cholesterol and digestive conditions. You can eat them […]
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, […]