Zucchini Pilaf With Black Olives
WHITE VS BROWN RICE: RIce is one of the staples of the Mediterranean and is grown in various regions around the Mediterranean basin. Brown rice is a whole grain that contains the bran and germ, which provide fiber and several vitamins and minerals. White rice is a refined grain that has had these parts removed, […]
Beetroot Soup With Spicy Seeds And Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is definitely not a native Mediterranean ingredient and this soup was first developed as a way to avoid using heavy cream. Coconut milk is the liquid naturally found inside of mature coconuts. Coconut cream is essentially full-fat coconut milk, culled from the white, hard coconut “meat.” Sometimes coconut cream and coconut water are […]
Greek Olive And Herb Mixed Wheat Flatbread
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Bread, one of the most ancient foods in the world, is an intrinsic part of the Mediterranean diet. It is also the quintessential comfort food. There are many theories as to why bread is so comforting, from the physical act of kneading to the olfactory pleasure brought on by the mere smell […]
Pan-seared Tofu With A Ouzo and Pomegranate Glaze
TOFU AND THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET: Tofu, or bean curd, as it is also known, is an unparalleled source of plant-based protein coming in at 10 grams of protein per 1/2 cup serving. It is made by coagulating soy milk and then pressing the resulting curds into solid white blocks of varying softness. It has such […]
Creamy Grilled Portobello Mushroom Soup with Garlic
MUSHROOMS VS MEAT: Mushrooms have “umami,” which is sometimes called the fifth taste (along with sweet, salt, sour and bitter). We have specific receptors for this taste, which is why mushrooms are such a great meat-replacement. But beyond that, mushrooms are better for us than meat in so many ways. They are packed full of […]
Quick Lemony Chickpeas & Spinach
This delicious Greek chickpea recipe with spinach epitomizes the simple way that healthy, plant-based Mediterranean ingredients come together in the Greek and Mediterranean diet. Chickpeas are one of the oldest cultivated legumes in the Eastern Mediterranean and Greeks have been enjoying them for eons. You can easily swap out the spinach for something more exotic, […]
HOT OR COLD YOGURT SOUP WITH SPICY GRILLED EGGPLANT, MINT AND POMEGRANATE MOLASSES
YOGURT KNOW-HOW: Warm and cold yogurt soups abound all over the Eastern Mediterranean. From the Syrian lamb-yogurt soup called shakrya to Turkish yogurt soups, the variety is impressive and spiciness is almost always part of the flavor palette, counterbalancing the cool, refreshing qualities of really good yogurt. Yogurt and Yogurt Substitutes: If you’re using real […]
Greek-style Warm Broccoli Salad With Lemon, Olive Oil, Herbs And Pine Nuts
HELPFUL TIP:Roast raw pine nuts on a tray in a 350℉ (180℃) oven for about 10 minutes, shaking halfway through. They can also be toasted on top of the stove in a heavy skillet, stirring often until they turn golden. Keep a close eye on the pine nuts as they can very quickly move from […]
GRILLED POLENTA WITH KALAMATA OLIVE CONFIT
A LITTLE HISTORY AND A HELPFUL TIP: Corn has been an important part of the original Ikaria diet, in so far as one can claim that, with corn being a New World crop. But what I mean is that once established in the Mediterranean, for almost half a millenium now, it became something people could […]
Honeynut or Butternut Squash Stuffed With Herby Mushrooms
PRACTICAL TIP – KNIFE SKILLS 101!:A paring knife, small and pointy, is ideal for the incisions. Knives which are continually used must always be kept sharp—a blunt or dull knife is dangerous because it requires more pressure and is more likely to slip and cause an injury.
Tabbouleh Salad with Grilled Asparagus, Mint and Toasted Pine Nuts
HOW TO MAKE A GLUTEN-FREE TABBOULEH:Bulgur is one of the oldest grain products in the Eastern Mediterranean, as wheat is one of the three members of the holy trinity of Mediterranean Diet plants (the other two being the olive tree and grape vine). But in these gluten-intolerant times, knowing some viable substitutes for much-maligned wheat […]
Salad With Fennel, Hazelnuts, and Mastic Vinaigrette
WHAT IS MASTIHA AND HOW DO YOU GRIND IT:Greeks consider Mastiha their #1 superfood, a panacea that’s good for everything from gut health to gum health! But it’s also an incredibly versatile spice, pairing beautifully and adding an exotic mysterious undertone to everything from citrusy dishes to tomato-based dishes to savory and sweet white sauces […]