This chicken with dried apricots, almonds and raisins is a distinguished recipe from Ottoman cuisine, and its original Turkish name is Mahmudiye. The dried fruit and an eventual addition of honey give a sweet touch to this chicken, which is contrasted with a little lemon juice. The crunch of almonds and a particular perfume of spices such as cinnamon and turmeric or saffron are also added.
Tag: mediterranean diet
All the secrets of traditional Italian pizza
Pizza! From the classical Margherita up to any of its infinite variants, it for sure (may be together with pasta) the ultimate icon of the vast Italian gastronomy. For its correct preparation, there are numerous concepts about which Italians discuss in an almost scientific way, and which we will try to summarize for those who want to bake a good Italian pizza at home.
French lobster bisque recipe (bisque de homard)
The French term “bisque” refers to a type of velvety soup that could be classified as a waste-recycling recipe, since it is prepared from the shell, legs and other parts that are discarded from the crustaceans. However, the high culinary level of the raw material and the sophistication that the recipe gained within French cuisine, make the lobster bisque a very refined dish. The preparation is equally valid for langoustines, shrimps, prawns, etc., although lobster (homard in French) is the iconic ingredient when we talk about “bisque”.
The Spanish creamy seafood rice that never fails
For this rice I have chosen a very common combination of squid and shrimp, although it is possible to prepare it with almost any seafood. The particularity of rice is its pleasant creaminess, which makes it the Spanish brother of the Italian risotto.
Super crispy and tasty Italian porchetta
Porchetta is originally prepared in rotisseries by boning and seasoning a whole pig, which is sewn completely and then baked for many hours over low heat. This heat allows all the fat to drain, until you get a super crispy exterior, as well as a lean and very tender interior. For this homemade version, pork breast with skin is used, with a fantastic result.
Panna cotta recipe (keto frendly!)
Panna cotta is a very famous Italian dessert, worldwide appreciated as much as tiramisu. It is a very simple preparation based on heavy cream which is thickened with gelatin. It is usually accompanied with red fruits, although we can experiment with other alternatives such as mango, pistachios, coffee, or whatever our imagination suggests!
Healthy zucchini fritters recipe
This zucchini (sometimes called courgette) based recipe is an adaptation of a very popular starter called “kolokithokeftedes” in Greece (which translates as “zucchini meatballs”), which is also known in Turkey as “mucver.” The main difference with the classic recipe is that it will not be necessary to deep-fry the fritters in a huge amount of oil, which is much healthier.
Greek beef and tomato stew (“moskhari kokkinisto”)
This recipe is a traditional Greek stew, and its translation means “reddened beef”. This name is due to the color that the tomato sauce gives to the dish. The meat is cooked for a long time over low heat with vegetables and tomato, until a bite is so tender that it can be cut with a spoon.
How to cook snails
For many people, snails surely seem exotic or even intimidating. However, they are highly appreciated in many Mediterranean countries, especially in Spain, France and Greece. If we buy already clean snails, their preparation is very simple and quick. Otherwise, we must observe certain previous steps, which are indicated here.
Bake “Koulouri Thessalonikis” or “Simit” at home
“Koulouri” (plural “koulouria”) is the name of a type of bagel very popular throughout Greece, originally from Thessaloniki. Its Turkish equivalent, equally popular in its country, is called “simit.” They are ring-shaped and covered with sesame seeds. Their charm lies in the fact that they are crispy and golden on the outside, while spongy and tender on the inside.