6 New Mediterranean Recipes
Happy Saturday! Back at the beginning of 2023, I posted 6 Mediterranean Recipes to Kick off the New Year. Since then, I have been cooking a couple Mediterranean dishes a week and I want to share several of them with you today. I have also included a handy, pinnable guide to the Mediterranean eating habits that make up the Mediterranean Diet. Few diets are as easy to follow as the way Mediterraneans eat. There aren't a bunch of challenging recipes, restrictions or calorie counting. It is truly a lifestyle diet, not a fad. Personally, I feel quite a difference when I eat the way the Mediterraneans do; I feel energized by my meals, not sluggish or overly full.
Lately I have been incorporating lentils in my salads for a heartier main dish salad. Lentils are high in protein and fiber. They have been shown to lower cholesterol and glucose; they may improve cholesterol levels in people with diabetes and protect against breast cancer. I have two great recipes highlighting the superfood in today’s post!
The Summary
Kelly is sharing 6 New Mediterranean Recipes
Plus, a handy guide to eating the Mediterranean way
You can get the full recipe card for a dish by clicking the link at the end of each section
Eating the Mediterranean Way
There is a lot written about, and diet fads based upon, the Mediterranean Diet. But if you just think of the three basic principles below, you really can’t go wrong. The eating habits of Mediterranean people are straightforward and easy to follow:
6 New Mediterranean Recipes
1. Roasted Artichokes with Roasted Garlic Mayo
Early spring is artichoke season and today’s recipe is a preparation for artichokes that is not only amazingly simple, it also makes a beautiful presentation. It’s a one pan recipe for both the artichokes and the roasted garlic dipping sauce. Scale this up as you need for serving a group, or make it for two. Let’s get right to it, it’s Roasted Artichokes with Roasted Garlic Mayo!
2. Greek Pasta with Tuna, Olives and Feta
How about a quick and easy Greek Pasta to kick off the week? I love this dish because it’s great hot and cold; so it makes for easy leftovers and meal prep. I found this extra large fusilli that works really well to grab the herbs, feta and little chunks of tuna, for a perfect bite every time. Regular fusilli or tubular pasta like penne will work great too. This recipe takes just about as much time as it takes for the pasta to cook, it’s super quick – so let’s get right to it!
3. Saffron Bulgur with Fennel and Sausage
I did make a couple resolutions this year; one is to make more Mediterranean dishes; the other is to try my hand at homemade pasta. Well, today I have a Mediterranean dish from the cookbook More Mediterranean by America’s Test Kitchen. The recipe features the whole grain bulgur, dressed in a vinaigrette with the floral flavor of saffron and pomegranate molasses for a tangy zip. This dish has a lot of wonderful flavors and textures happening – it’s super flavorful and very satisfying.
4. Baked Feta with Tomatoes and Herbs
Today’s recipe is a great light dinner, but it also makes a fantastic appetizer. It’s an easily customizable recipe, full of fresh, savory Mediterranean flavors. Serve it with slices of toasted rustic bread, like I am today, or mash up the feta a bit, stir it into the baked tomatoes, onions and peppers and mix it into a bowl of pasta. Baked Feta is a versatile dish, with an easy preparation. So let’s do it!
5. The Very Best Lentil Soup
Today’s recipe for Lentil Soup is wonderful on its own; super-flavorful and hearty, but it’s the toppings that really win me over. Lemony green sauce, sour cream, chili crunch and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar take this lentil soup from great to The Very Best Lentil Soup. Are you ready to get started?
6. Lentil and Orzo Salad
I have an easy, healthy Mediterranean-inspired Lentil and Orzo Salad for you today. This salad is incredibly simple and perfectly customizable. I have been on a lentil kick lately, since I made Lentil Salad with Oranges and Feta, I have craved warm salads with vinaigrette-dressed lentils. This one fits the bill, and we have orzo, arugula, olives, red peppers, radishes, fresh basil, pine nuts and feta. It's Lentil and Orzo Salad!
In Case You Missed It
Yesterday on Friday's With Oscar, Beth shared celebrating Easter Weekend with Family. Make sure to click the title or image below to read the article.
What can I substitute for the anchovies?
Hi Liz, As a general rule, you can sub Worcestershire Sauce; or soy sauce, or just plain old salt for anchovy. I Hope that answers your question! xo Kelly
Look forward to these, Kelly. I love your writing style; clicks with me, Wondering about the keratin treatment: is it worth it? I have frizzy greyish hair so it might not work on that,
Hello Ellen, Thanks so much! About the keratin treatment, the only catch I understood was having hair of at least a certain length. For instance, Beth mentioned to me that her hair is too short. My hair was mid-neck length and I got the treatment done before it was cut to chin length. I hope that helps a little. I would ask your stylist what might work for you. xo Kelly