This fruity spiced non-alcoholic pomegranate drink recipe is made with a base of honey, orange, and cardamom syrup and finished with pomegranate juice and club soda. This pomegranate mocktail is as refreshing as it is tasty! Photo Credits: Ali Redmond I've been a firm advocate and disciple of ‘Dry January’ for the last 15 years (before it was even cool!). Plus, having a teetotal husband, I am always on the lookout for a great mocktail recipe or tasty non-alcoholic beverages to serve at any time of year. A few years back, I discovered you can easily make a base for a mocktail with what you like ..read more

A lighter take on the classic Greek casserole, Egyptian moussaka layers saucy spiced ground beef with onion, bell peppers, garlic, and tender roasted eggplant. With no béchamel sauce, this gluten-free recipe is quick and easy enough for a weeknight.  Photo Credits: Ali Redmond You may be familiar with the famous Greek Moussaka, with its decadent layers of meat and creamy béchamel. Egyptian Moussaka (one of my mother’s specialties) has many of the same rich and delicious elements but there are a few key differences.  I skip the creamy bechamel sauce common in the Greek version and ins ..read more

This easy honey harissa chicken recipe is sweet and spicy chicken with my Mediterranean twist! Harissa paste, a North African condiment loaded with smoky, garlicky, citrusy flavor is layered with sweet honey, fresh lemon juice, garlic, and warming spices like coriander and smoked paprika.  Photo Credits: Kathrine Irwin I could go on forever about the glory of the sheet pan chicken thighs–see my Greek Sheet-Pan Chicken and Smoked Paprika Chicken with Chickpeas and Carrots for further proof. And this harissa honey chicken is yet another recipe to add to your rotation. It's a weeknight-frien ..read more

Ispanaklı Yumurta, meaning “eggs with spinach,” is a Turkish dish of perfectly poached eggs in a bed of spiced spinach, tomatoes, and Turkish sweet pepper paste. A delightful Mediterranean breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Photo Credits: Kathrine Irwin Turkish cuisine is as dear to me as my native Persian dishes—from this comforting spinach and eggs dish and beyond. I have traveled more times to Turkey than any other country, primarily due to its cuisine and, of course, its wonderful hospitality and weather!  One of the many things the Turks excel in is breakfast. A stunning variety of dishes ..read more

Brown rice vs white rice is the topic of hot debate, but what are the facts? Is brown rice healthy, and how much of a difference does it really make? Read all about brown rice, including our favorite ways to cook brown rice and our case for keeping that fluffy white rice on your rotation too!   Photo Credits: Katherine Irwin Be it white rice, brown rice, wild rice or otherwise, rice—and grains more generally—are a healthy and essential staple of the Mediterranean Diet. Of course, you should always consult your doctor and make whatever dietary decisions are best for you. But if you’re ..read more

This healthy salmon salad recipe layers on the texture and flavor with creamy Greek yogurt, peppery Dijon mustard, crunchy fresh vegetables, and fresh parsley. There's no mayo, and the salmon is baked in the oven so it could not be easier! Scoop it into lettuce cups or pile it onto bread for a sandwich. Photo Credits: Kathrine Irwin Most salmon salad recipes I have come across are lacking in texture and very much drowned in mayonnaise. I’ll just come out and confess this right now, I do not love the taste of mayo. Still, l want to enjoy a little creaminess. Enter Greek yogurt!  Combi ..read more

Make the most of spring with this collection of light and healthy spring recipes! Each celebrates the season’s sunny fruits and vegetables, like artichokes, peas, spinach, arugula, radishes, and asparagus. From spring salads to soups, sides, and spring dinner ideas, you’ll find 30 recipes filled with color and flavor. Photo of Pea Salad with Feta and Mint by Andrea Gralow I’m notoriously averse to rules, but I do have three Mediterranean Diet principles: Eat with the seasons, use mostly whole foods, and above all else, share. To me, seasonality comes first—whether it’s these spring recipes, su ..read more

Gelo di fragole, or Sicily’s version of strawberry pudding, is light, refreshing, and just sweet enough! This easy, make-ahead dessert takes only 7 ingredients, zero specialty equipment, and 15 minutes or less of hands-on time. Make it the night before your next dinner party or date night in! Photo Credits: Katherine Irwin We love our puddings in the Mediterranean and Middle East. We make them in just about every variety, from this fresh and light strawberry pudding, to floral and silky-smooth Mahalabia (Rose Water Milk Pudding), to creamy cinnamon-scented Rizogalo (Greek Rice Pudding). In fac ..read more

This Turkish salad recipe is satisfying and light at the same time, with a nutty, creamy tahini dressing, tender cannellini beans, biting white onions, rich hard-boiled eggs, and fresh tomatoes. It's tasty, economical, and so easy to make!  Photo Credits: Kathrine Irwin This Turkish salad made with cannellini beans, eggs, and vegetables is a real specialty from the Antalya province in southern Turkey. It has a generous sauce made from tahini, garlic, vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, and cumin. The variety of Turkish salads showcases the bounty of the Turkish pazar or farmers market. Our l ..read more

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