Tag: mediterranean diet

Pickled turnips, the most striking Middle-Eastern pickle

Among the numerous pickles of all kinds of vegetables found on a mezze table, pickled turnips are undoubtedly the most distinctive, both for the flavor and for the very pronounced pink color. Here all the secrets are revealed to prepare it easily at home and, as usual, to achieve a much better version than the commercial ones.

Traditional Spanish garlic rabbit recipe

“Conejo al ajillo” or garlic rabbit is a traditional Spanish recipe that should be in everyone’s repertoire, as it is very simple, fast and cheap. In addition, rabbit is a very tasty and lean meat.

Quick and easy clams marinara recipe

This starter has great nutritional properties, and it’s also very quick and easy. Clams marinara are a typical dish from Galicia and are practically prepared following the same recipe that is used in other regions to cook mussels or prawns.

Traditional Greek Fava (yellow split pea puree)

Greek fava, sometimes called “Greek hummus”, is a delicious puree that is served in almost any tavern in Greece. Despite what its name seems to indicate, it is not prepared with broad beans, but its star ingredient is the fava from Santorini or a similar yellow split pea instead.

Okra with meat stew recipe

This is a delicious dish from the Levant, where it is called “bamieh bil lahme”, literally okra with meat. This vegetable combines very well with beef or lamb, but the variant with chicken is also very common, especially in Greece or Turkey.

Zucchini with minced beef in just 15 minutes

This express recipe of zucchini with ground beef is an easy alternative to “dolma” (stuffed zucchini), and it saves the whole process of hollowing the vegetables out and then stuffing them. In this way we can have a quick dish which is still excellent. And even more, since it’s also without rice, it makes a good option for those who follow a low-carb or keto diet.

Mediterranean salad with smoked herring and potatoes

I learned this recipe in the Peloponnese. Herring is a widely consumed fish in Europe, mostly smoked or pickled, and it is common to find it in salads, accompanied by potatoes. But in Germany, Baltic or Nordic countries it is dressed manly with mayonnaise, cream, etc., which makes the salad heavier. On the other hand, this Mediterranean version is fresh and light, but very satiating and nutritious at the same time.

Stuffed courgette flowers (fiori di zucca ripieni)

This is another example of a very easy and tasty Mediterranean starter. Courgette flowers have a very delicate flavor and are usually cooked stuffed with rice in Greece and Turkey, or otherwise with fresh cheese in Italy.

Squid with onion and tomato

This simple and delicious recipe is an excellent source of protein and requires little work. In addition, it’s also healthier than other common recipes of squid, which usually involve breading and frying.