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Tastes of the Mediterranean: It's Not Just All Greek to Me (But Mostly!)
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items Culinary dishes that hail from the Mediterranean area don't just make my tastebuds sing – they're healthy (mostly!) and they captivate me with their vibrant colors! (note: I am enthralled by Greek culture and mythology, so my favorite nom-noms and re...
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Note: This list may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission (at no extra charge to you) if you make a purchase using these links.
Sections
4
Desserts/Dips/Snacks
Fruits & Herbs
Meals
Cookbooks
Desserts/Dips/Snacks
Let's start the nom-noms with this section of delectable and delightful treats and appys!
A beloved Levantine appetizer, this roasted eggplant and hummus dish (also known as muttabal) always makes my palate sing!
Baba Ganoush / Ganouj
My introduction to phyllo dough! This droolworthy baked confection is chockful of nuts, spiced with cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon, and drizzled with honey. I don't need a special event or celebration to enjoy this tasty treat! Baklava has ties to Gr...
Baklava
Got a chocolate allergy? Perhaps carob chips (which are caffeine-free and lower in sugar and fat) can satisfy your cravings. Carob chips and powder are made from pods of the carob tree, which is native to the Mediterranean region.
Carob Chips
Who knew that such a simple roll of rice, herbs, and olive oil (I've always had the vegetarian version) could bring such joy to my palate?
Dolmades
You had me at olives, olive oil, and capers! This umami-rich paste is a serious spread contender to basil pesto for me when I'm noshing on crackers or nachos!
Olive Tapenade
Spinach in flaky phyllo pastry sounds and tastes so heavenly … I am so glad that I am not gluten-intolerant (although gluten-free spanakopita can always be made!)
Spanakopita
If there was ever anything to persuade me to love artichokes (and I know what you're thinking, “What am I thinking?”), it would have to be the delectable Mediterranean-inspired spinach and artichoke dip!
Spinach Artichoke Dip
The feta/ricotta/kefalotyri cheese-filled phyllo triangles variant of spanakopita (and, best of all, available at grocers near me!)
Tyropita
This mildly tangy cucumber-infused is great as a dip or a spread!
Tzatziki Yogurt Dip
Fruits & Herbs
The fruits and herbs of the Mediterranean are an interesting hodgepodge and visual feast for the senses.
Dates are delicious! I've never been able to find the fresh variety of this Mediterranean diet favorite. I find Medjool dates to be the most addictive. They are healthy – when taken in moderation, of course!
Dates
I am lucky to have fresh figs off the tree every summer (but they have an extremely short shelf life, even in the fridge – so freezing is a big saving hack), but, in a pinch, I'll “make do” with dried figs (note: sugar content of dried figs is 10X hi...
Figs
I grew up eating Asian olives, so making the leap to the Mediterranean variety wasn't all that difficult. Pickled or fresh, olives are awesome, and kalamata olives top the heap for me!
Kalamata Olives
The humble mint originated in the Mediterranean and has gained a huge following. I have loads of it freely growing in my garden, plus derivatives like spearmint and chocolate mint – and the latter REALLY lives up to its chocolate billing for smell AN...
Mint
Just a few arils or a small cup of the juiced fruit (which saves a lot of pitting and spitting!) do amazing wonders for my energy levels!
Pomegranates
Meals
In case you weren't already full from trying out the desserts/snacks/dips above, here are some of the meals with which to tantalize your tastebuds!
Souvlaki isn't just skewered meat, barbequed to perfection. Oh wait! It is! :) I usually have several chicken/lamb/beef skewers served with warm pita bread, a generous helping of pilaf rice, and greek yogurt. Definitely a meal to remembered!
Greek Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki
The king of salads for me: loaded with grape tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumbers, and olives, and drizzled with olive oil and (of course) tangy Greek salad dressing!
Greek Salad (Horiatiki)
The Mediterranean region and diet are synonymous with seafood, and this recipe is the perfect way to pan sear sea bass to flaky perfection--fast--and elevate it with bold seasonings like bell peppers, cumin, coriander, and more!
Mediterranean Sea Bass
My most favoritest type of lasagna is overflowing in eggplant and seasoned beef!
Moussaka (Greek Beef and Eggplant Lasagna)
A twist on traditional chicken piccata – but with shrimp; it's a mouthwatering dish with scrumptiously tart and briny notes that can be whipped up in a jiffy!
Shrimp Piccata Recipe
I fell in love with tabouli after first having it at a Vancouver vegetarian buffet restaurant called Gourmet and Greens (sadly, no longer in operation), and then again at the Cactus Club Cafe with its the Modern Bowl (sadly, also a dish that's long b...
Tabouli/Tabbouleh Salad Recipe
Another dish I enjoyed during my all-too-few visits to the Greens and Gourmet restaurant in Vancouver, BC, so many years ago. I can't believe the number of appetizing ways that veggies, pulses, and legumes were served up there!
Three Bean Salad
Cookbooks
Need a hardcopy compendium of the desserts and dishes above? Check out the cookbook recipes below!
You know that the moment my eye fell on the first references to Greek and Greek-inspired cuisine, I just had to check out this NY Times bestseller. It’s loaded with just about every Greek dish I’ve ever encountered, plus ones I’ve just discovered.
Hungry Happens: Mediterranean - by Stella Drivas (Hardcover)
The healthy (low carb) way to make and enjoy over 100 delicious Mediterranean and Middle Eastern inspired dishes.
Shred Happens: So Easy, So Good - by Arash Hashemi (Hardcover)
With 500 recipes at your fingertips in this bestselling, beautifully illustrated cookbook, this is the definitive culinary resource for the Mediterranean diet!
The Complete Mediterranean Cookbook (The Complete Atk Cookbook) - by America's Test Kitchen (Paperback)
Most of the meals you see listed in the Meals section above were from Suzy Karadsheh!
The Mediterranean Dish: Simply Dinner - by Suzy Karadsheh (Hardcover)
Find Mediterranean dishes daunting to make? No problem! This guided cookbook features 100 tasty and fun-to-make dishes -perfect for those new to the Blue Zone diet!
The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Beginners - by Elena Paravantes (Paperback)