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Appetizer and Mezze
These simple baked eggplant fries are the perfect snack or appetizer for a crowd. Crispy on the outside, velvety tender on the inside! I love to serve these with a side of Greek Tzatziki sauce. Eggplants are a cherished Mediterranean ingredient. Here on the blog, you’ll find them prepared a variety of ways: layered in…
Vegan
Koshari Recipe: Egyptian comfort bowl of lentils, rice, chickpeas, with a special tomato sauce and savory crispy onions on top! SKIP TO RECIPE Koshari is a fun word to say, isn’t it? Koshari (also spelled, Kushari) is the national dish of my birthplace, Egypt. By far one of my favorite things to eat–EVER! No matter how…
Entree
An all-star recipe for fish stew with a Sicilian twist! The comfort of Italian flavors in one delicious stew cooked in a white wine-tomato broth with garlic, capers, raisins more! In Italy, as in many parts of the Mediterranean basin, fish is often combined with tomatoes and other local ingredients to make delicious and quick…
Entree
We have journeyed through hundreds of classic and modern Mediterranean recipes this past year. It’s always exciting for me to look back and see which were your favorites–the most viewed and tested recipes here on the blog. In this post is a selection of just 10 top Mediterranean recipes as determined by, you, readers of The…
Desserts
Buttery, honeyed, melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon cookies. Today’s easy cinnamon cookie recipe is from my friend Irvin Lin’s new book Marbled, Swirled, And Layered. I’ve included step-by-step photos below the recipe. Growing up, particularly during the holidays, my mother made small, bite-sized cinnamon cookies. Perfectly buttery, melt-in-your-mouth treats. In Egypt, they are called, “Petits Fours bi Kerfa.”…
Entree
A simple rustic Italian beef stew recipe loaded with aromatics and vegetables like tomatoes, carrots and mushrooms. This only takes 15 minutes to prep, and I let the crock pot do all the heavy lifting. The result? Fork tender perfection! Be sure to see the video tutorial for how to make this Italian beef stew…
Sides and Small Plates
Easy, flavor-packed jeweled couscous recipe with pomegranate, lentils, mushrooms, nuts and raisins! A gorgeous little Mediterranean feast in one dish! Perfect warm or at room temperature. Best part, you can make this ahead for holidays and big dinners. Step-by-step tutorial photos below the recipe. Jeweled couscous is a special dish that you find in Persia and parts…
Greek
If you have not tried Spanakopita before, you’re in for a treat! Spanakopita is a delicious savory Greek pie made of perfectly crispy layers of phyllo dough and a comforting filling of spinach and feta cheese. I’m sharing my family’s favorite spanakopita recipe, complete with tips, video, and step-by-step photos. Trust me, this is so…
Appetizer and Mezze
This whipped feta dip recipe makes the perfect party appetizer in like 10 minutes! Topped with a decadent dried fig Marsala sauce, chopped pistachios, and fresh mint! Here is a fun tidbit I recently came across: dried figs were the choice high-energy food for ancient Greek Olympians! (Pre-workout snack, anyone?) Mediterraneans’ undeniable affinity for figs goes…
Recipe Roundups
Click Here to Pin this Roundup of Recipes! If you’ve followed this blog for any length of time, you already know that Mediterranean food is not so fussy. The ingredients are generally humble, and the recipes are easy to execute even on a week night. What’s more, many Mediterranean dinners are actually one pot recipes.…
Entree
In this easy baked kofta pita sandwich we have, flavor-packed ground lamb (or beef, if you prefer) patties, loaded on top of Greek pita with hummus spread, fresh veggies, and olives. A great weeknight option, or a make-your-own-sandwich bar for your next party! Step-by-step tutorial included. The idea for this baked kofta pita sandwich came…
Appetizer and Mezze
In this kibbeh recipe, a mixture of bulgur wheat, onions, and ground beef forms a hollow shell for a delicious stuffing. Enveloped in warm and earthy Middle Eastern spices like allspice and ground cinnamon, kibbeh is the epitome of Middle Eastern comfort food. The kibbeh croquettes can be deep fried or baked, and are often…
Entree
This easy fish fillet recipe is a little treat from the shores of the Mediterranean in Egypt. Spiced fish fillets cooked in a sauce of fresh tomatoes and peppers. A one-skillet dinner that comes together in 30 minutes! Most people who are familiar with shakshuka only think of it as the popular North African breakfast–eggs…
Appetizer and Mezze
A little sweet, salty, creamy goat cheese crostini with figs, pistachios, and basil…Ready in 15 minutes! Growing up near the shores of the Mediterranean, I can’t say that I celebrated figs much as a child. I enjoyed them immensely, of course, but because they were quite available–at a lower cost–I never really missed them. The…
Salads
This Panzanella Salad is anything but boring! A little twist on the classic Italian Panzanella, transformed my ripe tomatoes; stale bread; and leftovers into a satisfying, glorious appetizer! Just like Middle Eastern Fattoush, and Spanish Gazpacho, a traditional Panzanella Salad is basically another easy, “poor man’s” answer to leftovers. Take toasted day-old ciabatta bread, or…
Entree
Stuffed zucchini, Middle Eastern style! In this recipe, the humble zucchini act as vessels for a special stuffing of spiced rice and ground beef with tomatoes and fresh herbs. See my step-by-step tutorial for foolproof, and absolutely delicious results! When nostalgia takes me back to certain foods and flavors, sometimes all I have to help…
Egyptian
My take on limonada: Mediterranean-style mint lemonade as they make it in Egypt. Intense with flavor, extra frothy, and extremely refreshing! There is a tiny trick involved that makes all the difference… There is an ahwa on every street corner in Egypt. If you’re not familiar, ahwas are small coffeehouses. We’re talking hole-in-the-wall type establishments, open to…
Salads
Think lentils are bland food? That may be, but not in the case of this lentil salad with garlic, harissa, and Middle Eastern spices. With the addition of white beans, this vegan and gluten-free lentil salad is a meal in its own right. But, it’s usually served as meze (appetizer) or side dish. Lentils, fava…
Entree
This is a power bowl type of dinner. Mayo-free Mediterranean Coleslaw with Salmon served in flat bread bowls! A perfect weeknight dinner in 30 minutes or less. It is the dressing of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and Mediterranean spices that make this coleslaw anything but average. Then, it’s the use of peppery radish, green onions,…
Party Menus
There are a few things I appreciate most about summertime: Atlanta’s endless supply of sunshine (some days, it feels like I’m back in Egypt); sleeping in when I can; and getting together for cookouts! With Memorial Day weekend upon us, I thought this would be a good time to do a cookout menu with a…
Breakfast
A baked omelet made Middle Eastern style with zucchini, onions and lots of fresh mint leaves. Comes together in 30 mins or less. The perfect breakfast or brunch, especially with a side of fattoush or tabouli salad! Be sure to scroll down for the step-by-step tutorial with photos. If you are from Egypt, you’ll recognize this as…
Sides and Small Plates
Roasted cauliflower and tahini come together in a delicious Middle Eastern-style spicy dip! A great wholesome appetizer; or serve it warm as a side dish of mashed roasted cauliflower! Be sure to scroll down for the step-by-step photo tutorial. The best cauliflower head to buy–my dad taught me– is one without bruises. It must be…
Middle Eastern
This tutorial is all you need to make the BEST authentic Kofta kebab recipe. Grilled kofta (or kefta) are skewers of ground beef and lamb mixed with fresh parsley, onions, garlic and warm Middle Eastern spices! These kabobs will feed a crowd and there are many sides and salads you can serve alongside (lots of…
Sides and Small Plates
A slight spin on the beloved Italian summer classic, this roasted eggplant Caprese salad recipe makes the perfect satisfying appetizer or even side dish! See the step-by-step tutorial below. Caprese salad is the quintessential summer dish. And the key to a perfect Caprese salad recipe is to use the best ingredients you find–large, firm tomatoes,…
