6 Mediterranean Recipes You Want To Try
Mediterranean recipes are praised for their healthy ingredients and increased overall longevity. This cuisine comes from European, North African, and Middle Eastern countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. Widely popular for the use of lean proteins, unprocessed grains, seeds, nuts, olive oil, and fresh fruit and vegetables.
Spoil yourself or impress your friends with these Mediterranean recipes and get your summer vibe on!
1. Shakshuka
Make this Mediterranean recipe the next time you host brunch with your friends and family. This one skillet meal is also enjoyed as breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This North African dish consists of eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce. Serve with a pile of pita or challah on the side. Steering away from the traditional recipe, add feta for an even more powerful burst of flavor.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 white onion, minced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 jalapeno, minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika,
30 ounces canned diced tomatoes
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
6 large eggs
3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
(Feta cheese crumbles, if desired)
Method
Heat olive oil in an oven-safe heavy skillet over medium-high heat
Add in onion, bell pepper, and jalapeno
Sautee 5 – 7 minutes or until onions are translucent
Add in garlic, cumin, and paprika
Wait one minute for flavors to disperse
Stir in died tomatoes, salt, and black pepper and bring to a simmer
Reduce heat to low and continue to simmer for 15 minutes
While you wait, preheat oven to 375 degrees
Create 6 little “nests” in the tomato mixture to hold the eggs
Crack eggs directly into prepared “nests”
Transfer skillet into oven and cook 8 – 10 minutes until egg whites are set
Sprinkle with fresh cilantro before serving
2. Lebanese Hummus
This Mediterranean recipe can be enjoyed in many ways. Use it as a spread or a dip for pita chips, pretzels, veggies, and even fruit. This is a healthy favorite for parties and a quick snack. The presentation of this recipe is impressive and will have everyone coming back for more!
Ingredients
2 (15 ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1/4 cup tahini paste
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoon cold water
Pine nuts for garnish (optional)
Method
Blend garlic in a food processor
Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until desired consistency
Blend with cold water for a smoother consistency
Garnish with extra paprika, chickpeas, and pine nuts for presentation if desired
3. Chickpea & Spinach Salad With Avocado
Packed with protein and antioxidants, this Mediterranean recipe is satisfying without the bloat. Perfect for summer, this light and nutritious meal will keep you cool and give you energy.
Ingredients
1 pound boiled or canned chickpeas
3 tomatoes, chopped
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 avocado, sliced
1 onion, sliced
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 pound fresh spinach
1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
Salt & pepper to taste
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Method
Place chickpeas, tomatoes, avocado, onion, mushrooms, spinach, red pepper, cilantro, salt, and pepper in a large bowl
Add olive oil and balsamic vinegar to taste
Mix well and serve!
4. Mediterranean Chicken Stew With Cinnamon Couscous
This Mediterranean recipe is easy to make and jam-packed with flavor. Grab a rotisserie chicken from your local grocery store, peel off the meat and you are good to go!
Ingredients For The Stew
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 (28 ounce) can tomatoes in puree
1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 cup chicken broth
2 bay leaves
Pepper to taste
1 rotisserie chicken, cut into bite sized pieces with skin removed
1/2 cup pitted lkalamate pitted olives, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Ingredients For Cinnamon Couscous
2 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (10 ounce) box plain, quick-cooking couscous
1/3 cup raisins
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons orange juice
Method For Stew
Heat olive oil in a heavy pot or dutch oven over medium heat
Add onion and cook 5-8 minutes
Add garlic and oregano
Cook one minute while stirring
Pour in crushed tomatoes, chickpeas, chicken broth, bay leaves, and pepper
Boil for 5 minutes
Add chicken
Lower heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes
Method For Couscous
Heat chicken broth, oil, and salt until boiling
Add couscous and raisins, stir
Remove from heat and cover
Let sit for 5 minutes
Fluff couscous with fork
Add cinnamon and orange juice
Mix with fork until combined
5. Garlic Basil Shrimp Farrotto
As delicious as it is comforting, this Mediterranean recipe will become a weekday favorite. It is quick and easy to make, no need to order pizza.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 cup basil
4 cloves garlic
1/2 small onion
3 cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 cups farro
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup dry white wine
Method
Place the faro in a large sauce pan and cover with 2 inches of water over medium heat to simmer until tender, 20 – 30 minutes.
Drain and set aside
In the same pan, heat oil and addd onion and sautee until translucent, 3 – 5 minutes
Add garlic and sautee for another minute
Stir in the faro with salt and pepper
Add wine and stir about 1 minute
Add broth 1 ladleful at a time, stirring until evaporated ( 8 – 10 minutes)
Season shrimp with salt and pepper and add to pan
Cook 2 – 3 minutes
Add more broth if needed
Remove from heat and add basil, butter, and lemon juice
Serve!
6. Skillet Braised Cod With Asparagus & Potatoes
Everyone will think it is a special occasion when you serve this beautiful and nourishing Mediterranean recipe. It is easy to pull together, yet appears you have been concocting this meal all day.
Ingredients
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
4 ( 3/4 inch thick) skinless cod filets
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon capers
Finely grated zest of 1/2 lemon
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 cups water
12 ounces small purple potatoes, halved ( ohhh fancy!)
salt and pepper
1 pound asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces
1/4 cup torn basil leaves
Method
Heat oil in a deep skillet over medium high heat
Generously season cod with salt and pepper, sear 1 minute each side
Transfer to plate and set aside
Add garlic, capers, and lemon zest to pan and cook 1 minute
Add wine and deglaze pan
Add water, potatoes, lemon juice, salt, pepper and bring to a boil
Reduce heat to simmer for about 10 – 12 minutes
Stir in asparagus and cook 2 minutes to 3 minutes
Divide fish fillets between bowls, spoon potatoes and asparagus over fish
Stir basil into broth in the pan and stir
Pour over fish and serve
Let us know which one is your favorite in the comments below!
Featured image: Pinterest
