9 Must-Try Mediterranean Food Recipes – Experience and taste the complex and exciting flavors of Mediterranean food that will take you to different places all at once. Various recipes are packed with amazing flavors to entice your taste buds – ranging from breakfast to dinner, including appetizers and snacks, too. Presenting mouthwatering healthy and hearty dishes you and your family will love to eat on a weekly rotation.
Mediterranean food is not limited to Hummus and Pita Bread. It actually offers a variety of flavors and recipes since it comes from different Mediterranean countries such as Morocco, Greece, Middle East, and many more.
And the best part is, it offers something new and unique to our palate. Plus, it adds a healthier touch to our dishes. Oh yes!
You may have noticed, Mediterranean recipes are all about fresh produce, olive oil, legumes, etc., and rarely red meat. Wow! And on top of being healthy, their food is definitely out-of-this-world D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S and full of great and exciting flavors from different herbs and spices like Sumac and Za’atar Seasoning.
So, if you want to start eating healthily or just want to reduce cholesterol consumption once in a while, then Mediterranean food is the way to go.
I’m offering you a collection of comfort food that is incredibly nourishing without sacrificing taste. ❤
FAQs
Basically, the Mediterranean diet focuses on eating healthily and avoiding highly processed foods. The recipes often include fresh produce such as veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, and healthy fats like olive and avocado oil. At the same time, fish, seafood, poultry, and dairy are eaten in moderation, and red meat is consumed occasionally. There is no standard way of doing the Mediterranean diet as it varies by country and region.
Mediterranean foods are mainly on the sweet, herby, and minty flavor profiles. Common herbs are dills, fennel, basil, thyme, mint, and oregano. Oh, and don’t forget wonderful spices like onion, garlic, pepper, cloves, cinnamon, cumin, and turmeric. The dishes are incredibly flavorful because they often are drizzled with olive oil.
The Mediterranean and Middle Eastern have two different cuisines. However, they share similar flavors because of the herbs and spices, such as cumin, mint, parsley, etc. Plus, food preparation is relatively the same, like flatbread, pita bread, and kebabs, to name a few. Although, I’d like to think that Middle Eastern food has more distinct and bolder flavors because of their sumac and za’atar spices. Well, anyway, both cuisines offer delicious and mouthwatering dishes and make my tummy happy and satisfied. And that’s the most important of all. 😉
The Must-Try Mediterranean Recipe Rundown
1. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
This salad is actually similar to a fresh salad like Cucumber Tomato Salad and Chef Salad. But what makes it really stand out is the addition of chickpeas and feta. Oh, feta, how I love you so. It has a mild taste, yet it adds a nice rich flavor to our humble salad, while the chickpea adds an interesting texture and makes it more filling. The perfect vegan one-dish meal. Yum!
2. Greek Salad
This salad is undeniably the pride and joy of Greek recipes. And the added fresh produce such as tomato and cucumbers makes it even better. The luscious dressing has a refreshing minty and lemony touch. Aah! Simply divine. And, of course, it’s loaded with feta and Kalamata olives, too. No wonder it’s included in one of the most popular Greek food recipes online.
3. Pita Bread
This list of Mediterranean recipes wouldn’t be complete without this soft, puffy, and slightly chewy pita bread. Surprisingly, it’s so easy to make even though it uses yeast. It’s so easy because it requires minimal kneading. Yaaay! No oven? No problem because you can also cook it on the stovetop. I love stuffing them with Greek Marinated Chicken and make super delectable Chicken Gyros. Aah! Simply the best!
4. Tzatziki Sauce
Most Greek foods come with a side of lavish Tzatziki sauce. It’s not your ordinary sauce because it’s made with grated cucumbers. Yes! Imagine the refreshing flavors of cucumber incorporated in this versatile sauce. No wonder it works well with salad, pita pockets and wraps, and shawarma. Even plain steamed veggies are more enjoyable when served with this yummy sauce. Aah! Simply fantastic, indeed!
5. Hummus
When talking about Mediterranean food, this smooth and creamy hummus always comes to mind. And why not? It is one of the easiest recipes to make and offers the most authentic flavor, too. In fact, you can make it in less than 1 hour with chickpeas, olive oil, and some basic herbs and spices such as thyme, paprika, and pepper. Even faster if you don’t mind using canned chickpeas. But what really makes this Hummus so addicting and over-the-top delicious is the roasted garlic. So garlicky good!
6. Israeli Couscous
If you’re looking for a healthier substitute for our beloved rice, then you might want to consider this quick, easy, and oh so tasty Israeli Couscous. It has fewer calories when compared to rice, and higher protein and fiber content, too! Such a winner for sure. Above all, you’ll love this recipe because it bursts with contrasting sweet, tangy, and minty flavor combinations. Talk about a flavor party on your tastebuds. Oh wow!
7. Shakshuka
Brighten up your day with mouthwatering Shakshuka. It is made primarily made with eggs and simmered in an herb-infused tomato-based sauce. This simple, hearty, and healthy breakfast can double up as a lunch or dinner, too. I love eating these leveled-up poached eggs topped with feta cheese and avocado slices along with my Homemade Garlic Bread or Focaccia. What a dazzling dish, indeed!
8. Chicken Shawarma
Oh, I could indulge in this beautifully charred Mediterranean chicken shawarma all day! I usually wrap these chicken strips with flour tortillas or pita along with slices of cucumber, onion, tomatoes, and cheese! And of course, don’t forget to top it off with Tzatziki sauce to complete this food delight. Aah! Just the perfect comfort food in any kind of weather. And it’s absolutely kid-friendly, too!
9. Moroccan Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
I’d like to introduce you to another chicken recipe to add to your list of go-to slow cooker recipes. Thanks to our kitchen buddy, the slow cooker, this festive dinner is super easy despite a busy schedule. Hassle-free and mess-free! 👌 Additionally, you’ll love it because it’s bursting with amazing Mediterranean flavors from different herbs and spices. Not to mention the herbed couscous and chickpeas that perfectly matched our well-seasoned chicken. Certainly, a winner dish that the whole family will enjoy. Yaaay!
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