In previous posts, we looked at two classic ingredients in Mediterranean food: Olives and Olive Oil. Yet Mediterranean food is filled with a bounty of classic, flavorful ingredients. Today, we will look at another important ingredient to Mediterranean cuisine, feta cheese. Feta cheese is an ingredient that has become a global phenomenon, but did you know it was once only made in a few specific regions of Greece? Feta is the oldest known cheese, with the first mention of it as far back in time as Homer’s Odyssey. In one of the oldest fictions in the world, the cyclops Polyphemus is seen with a ..read more

Have you ever wanted to order Aladdin’s delicious, authentic Mediterranean food in an easy online format? Aladdin’s is proud to announce new, online features that make ordering your favorite Mediterranean food easier than ever. We have updated our website to include new online ordering and online catering features. These features make ordering your food outside the restaurant easier than ever before. While we have always done catering and takeout, these new experiences are more user-friendly. Powered by Toast The new online ordering features use Toast to help give you a streamlined ordering ex ..read more

Off Challenge What makes a good guacamole? You know it almost as soon as you see it. It’s fresh, vibrant and green. There’s no hint of stale brownness to it yet. Chunks of fresh avocado are mixed into a creamy base with an unmistakable seasoning that makes it so good. A great guacamole is worth traveling for. It’s worth searching out the perfect restaurant. It’s worth waiting for. What makes a particular guacamole so good? Let’s go over what goes into making some of Sorrento Valley’s Best Guacamole. Use Only Fresh Ingredients The best guacamole starts with the freshest ingredients. Avocados ne ..read more

Olives are one of the most important ingredients in Mediterranean cuisine. They’re pressed into the olive oil, used as a garnish, and showcased all on their own as well. This mighty ingredient is packed with flavor and nutritional power, but it didn’t get that way all on its own. Here’s how your olive gets to you from grove to plate. The Harvest A quality harvest starts with a quality tree. Olives are grown on olive trees. Olive trees are tropical, and require warm temperatures, dry temperatures, and cool but not cold winters. This means olive trees can’t be grown just anywhere. Turkey, Spain ..read more

The Mediterranean is a diverse region filled with people with a passion for food. Over the course of thousands of years, they have crafted unique and flavorful foods that are both healthy and delicious. There’s more to Mediterranean cuisine than just the food though. Mediterranean cuisine also centers around a series of customs that are associated with their food. It’s not just eating, it’s a way of eating—and studies show the way people in the Mediterranean eat may have an impact on how long they live. In this article we will take a look at three of those additional habits. They Eat Together ..read more

There are few Mediterranean dishes as impressive as shawarma. Shawarma is made by stacking meat and fat alternately on a vertical rotisserie, often very high. The meat is cooked slowly this way, and then thin shavings are sliced off for customers to enjoy. This traditional food has been enjoyed as far back as the 18th century Ottoman empire. Early shawarma was cooked over an open fire, but today a machine is used as well as an even heating source for food safety. What hasn’t changed at all are the spices used to make shawarma what it is. Most shawarma is made with coriander, turmeric and ginge ..read more

It’s impossible to discuss Mediterranean cuisine without discussing olives. This ubiquitous part of Mediterranean culture is part of nearly every meal, whether it is pressed into olive oil or served in a dish. Although no one can say for sure, it is rumored that Anatolia is the birthplace of the olive tree itself. Beyond their delicious flavor and the sheer variety of dishes that can be made from them, olives are an important part of Mediterranean food for good reason. They are a powerhouse of nutrition. Amazing Antioxidants Olives are packed with antioxidants. These are an important part of n ..read more

Turkey has a rich history in its cuisine. With a wide range of ingredients at hand, the Turkish culinary art has developed a wide range of incredibly delicious dishes. Here are our 5 favorite traditional Turkish dishes. Yaprak Dolma Dolma is food wrapped up in a grape leaf. Grape leaves are edible and have a mild flavor to them, which combines nicely with the rich filling. In the case of Yaprak dolma, the filling usually consists of rice, parsley, tomatoes, olive oil, onions, and various seasonings. The result is a delicious, yet surprisingly healthy dish. If you’re looking for something with ..read more

The Ketogenic diet has been around since the 1920s, originally used as medical treatment for patients with seizures. Although it was originally used for a very narrow scope of the population, many people have now adopted the diet for weight loss. The keto diet is high in fat, moderate in protein, and low in carbs. The body normally burns carbs first, turning it into glucose. Only after all carbohydrates have been burned will the body burn fat stores. When the body has exhausted all glucose in the body and is prepared to burn fat, the liver starts producing ketones. These ketones are what allow ..read more

Gyros are a delicious food that sends people flocking to their favorite Mediterranean restaurants to eat them. The soft bread, juicy meat, and authentic flavors of the Gyro are one of the most delicious foods in the world. Like many foods with a long history, no one knows for sure where the Gyro originated from. Although it most likely came from Greece, during the time they popped up immigrants from many different countries were passing through. The Gyro popped up in one of many hole-in-the-wall shops immigrants were selling food in, and quickly spread. It was considered one of the first origi ..read more