Shirazi Salad, or Salad-e Shirazi, is a simple and bright Persian cucumber and tomato salad that’s loaded with herbs and dressed in citrus and extra virgin olive oil! This quick no-lettuce salad is the perfect side to almost any entree. A few tips make all the difference, so be sure to read on. Shirazi Salad, or Salad-e Shriazi, is a simple Persian cucumber and tomato salad that hails from the beautiful city of Shiraz in southwestern Iran....

Sautéed mushrooms with garlic, or Champiñones al Ajillo, is a simple and earthy vegetarian option you’ll find at tapas bars all over Spain. Learn how to sauté mushrooms the Spanish way! Photo Credits: Mark Beahm Champiñones al ajillo is a deceptively simple tapa relying on a short list of ingredients, but each ingredient complements and amplifies the others. The sweet, aromatic flavor of garlic infuses into the meaty mushrooms for an irresistibly savory combination....

Stuffed mushrooms are an easy, healthy vegetarian and gluten-free party appetizer or side dish. White button or cremini mushrooms are stuffed with spinach, roasted red pepper, garlic, creamy ricotta and nutty Parmesan cheese. This stuffed mushrooms recipe is finger food at its finest! Photo Credits: Andrea Gralow I’m a snacker at heart so when party season rolls around and the world is filled with finger foods and bite-sized morsels I am 100% in my element....

Mom’s famous stuffed peppers, prepared Greek style with a flavor-packed meat and rice mixture with chickpeas and fresh herbs. Diary free and gluten free. Vegetarian option included. Best part, you can prepare these ahead of time! Be sure to check out all the tips along with the step-by-step tutorial and video below. Stuffed vegetables for the win! We’re obsessed with stuffing all the vegetables around here from Greek and Spanish-style stuffed tomatoes to eggplant , grape leaves , and even stuffed squash !...

Turkish Meatballs in Yogurt Sauce is a flavor-packed dish perfect for an easy yet impressive dinner! It’s made up of spiced meatballs nestled in a creamy, tangy yogurt sauce, finished with a drizzle of Aleppo pepper-infused olive oil. Pickled red onions add a pop of brightness and crunch. Photo credit: Ali Redmond Warm yogurt sauce and pasta are a combination found in different parts of the Mediterranean and the Middle East....

This creamy, herby vegan tzatziki recipe works as a dip or condiment, delivering all the cool, tangy flavors you love without a drop of dairy. When entertaining people with a variety of dietary restrictions, a mezze spread can offer something for everyone, especially when it includes this cashew-based, dairy-free tzatziki. Photo Credit: Ali Redmond What makes this vegan tzatziki recipe truly worthy of a place next to yogurt-based original Tzatziki is its balance of flavors and textures....

This vegan white bean soup recipe is filled with wholesome comfort: nutrient-rich spinach, fragrant Italian seasoning, a touch of heat from paprika and chili flakes, and a generous dose of fresh parsley and dill. It’s a delicious, easy, and healthy weeknight dinner recipe you’ll want to make on repeat! Photo Credits: Kathrine Irwin Creamy, comforting, and loaded with classic Italian flavor, you’d hardly believe this hearty white bean soup is vegan and gluten-free....

This easy skillet mushroom chicken recipe is your ticket to a tasty weeknight meal in about 20 minutes! Made with simply seasoned juicy chicken breast cutlets and a silky, light mushroom sauce (no heavy cream!), this chicken and mushroom recipe will wow your tastebuds! Easy skillet chicken with mushroom sauce This simple skillet mushroom chicken is a sure way to turn boneless chicken breasts into a drool-worthy meal in just 20 minutes!...

This creamy mint yogurt sauce is the perfect cool and refreshing counterpoint to grilled or roasted red meats, seafood, and vegetables. Photo Credits: Ali Redmond Just like my tzatziki or my tahini sauce , some of the best Mediterranean sauces are the simplest. This cooling sauce, a quick mix of creamy Greek yogurt and fresh chopped mint with a little garlic, is a back-pocket recipe I can whip up at a moment’s notice that adds so much to a Mediterranean meal....

Air fryer salmon bites are tender and savory, with lots of nicely browned edges. A drizzle of sweet, spicy, and tangy honey-harissa glaze takes them over the top, making this quick recipe one you’ll crave for weeknight dinners or entertaining. Photo Credits: Ali Redmond Similar to my air fryer salmon recipe , I coated the salmon with olive oil and spices. I popped them in the air fryer on high to brown them on the edges while keeping them tender inside....

Easy air fryer salmon fillets cook to perfect tenderness at lightning speed! Coating the fish with garlic and spice-infused olive oil results in flaky fish with crisp edges and loads of flavor in just 10 minutes. Photo Credits: Katherine Irwin It’s no secret that we love salmon around here. It’s healthy, satisfying, and robust enough in texture to stand up to big flavors like harissa and lime , za’atar and garlic , or lemon and pesto without its own flavor getting lost in the mix....

Baci di dama, literally meaning “lady’s kisses,” are small Italian hazelnut cookies sandwiched together with chocolate–the “kiss,” so to say. Using no eggs the cookies are crisp and crumbly like shortbread with a rich and nutty flavor. Once filled with chocolate, they’re irresistibly delicious and comforting. Photo Credits: Mark Beahm This baci di dama recipe is my favorite way to make these delicate bite-sized cookie sandwiches: The dough can be mixed together quickly in the food processor, with fewer dishes, less chilling time, and extra tender cookies....

This one-dish dinner could not be easier! Simply load Greek meatballs and potatoes with herbs and spices, then bake them in a garlic and lemon sauce until everything is juicy and flavorful. Photo Credits: Ali Redmond If you or someone in your house is a “meat and potatoes guy,” this easy dinner recipe is about to become a favorite. I jazz up the standard meatballs and potatoes with bold Greek seasonings, keeping things easy in the best way without compromising on flavor....

Butternut squash lasagna features sweet squash, caramelized shallots, fresh sage, and walnuts, making it perfect for a dinner party, Sunday supper, or vegetarian holiday centerpiece. Photo Credits: Ali Redmond Lasagna is a labor of love. If I’m going to put in the effort, I want a spectacular result, and my standards are just as high when it comes to vegetarian versions of this Italian-American favorite. This sophisticated butternut squash lasagna proves it’s possible to achieve delicious results without too much fuss....

These Greek stuffed vegetables, called “Gemista,” are filled with a delicious mixture of rice, oregano, onion and garlic baked in a rich tomato sauce. In this simple gemista recipe, I roast potatoes in the same dish for a vegetarian (easily vegan) and gluten-free main. It’s hearty yet healthy, comforting but not overly heavy, and very satisfying! Photo Credits: Bella Karragiannidis Gemista, or Yemista, means “stuffed” in Greek. It’s a catch-all term for traditional Greek dishes with fresh vegetables filled with a fragrant rice mixture then baked in the oven until everything is tender and loaded with flavor....

These Pan Seared Lamb Chops take less than 10 minutes on your stove! You can happily stop there, but the Feta Mint Sauce and freshly toasted flatbread take this lamb chop recipe over the top. Photo Credits: Katherine Irwin People often think of lamb as a weekend-only treat and though I love a big, slow-roasted leg of lamb or parchment-wrapped lamb for a special occasion, lamb doesn’t get enough credit for being the quick-cooking, full-flavor, weeknight-friendly meat that it is....

Nothing beats authentic grilled chicken shawarma on the spit, and believe it or not, it’s easy to make at home! With its bold seasoning, perfectly juicy center, and crispy charred edges this real-deal grilled chicken shawarma recipe will be your new family favorite! Photo Credits: Ali Redmond Grilled chicken shawarma is one of my absolute favorite Middle Eastern street foods. The smell of the seasoning with warming spices like cumin, cloves, and turmeric, brings me right back to the markets in Egypt, where as a kid I’d hop between the vendors shaving paper-thin shawarma off the spit, frying Falafel , and handing out ice-cold Karkade (Hibiscus Tea) ....

Bright, lemony, and packed with fresh seafood, Insalata di Mare is a classic Italian seafood salad. Tossed with crunchy, quick-pickled vegetables, it makes a light and delicious antipasto or first course for an outdoor dinner party, or even a summer entree. Photo Credits: Mark Beahm I have many fond memories of childhood summers spent at the beach on Italy’s Adriatic Coast. Among my favorite are the celebratory seafood feasts that would take place once or twice a summer....

Melomakarona are traditional Greek cookies scented with orange and cinnamon, drenched in honey syrup and covered with crushed walnuts. Yes, they are irresistible! Learn to make them with this simple recipe. Photo Credits: Mark Beahm If you visit Greece between Christmas and New Year’s day, you are bound to try melomakarona, traditional Greek Christmas cookies that are soft, citrusy, and perfectly sweet. With their warming spices and honey soak, I think of them as a cross between my favorite soft cookie and baklava ....

How do you make a non-alcoholic sangria that boasts just as much depth of flavor as the original? Simply steep tart hibiscus flowers with warming spices, fresh thyme, a touch of honey, and citrus. It’s a summer sipper you’ll enjoy all season long! Photo Credits: Ali Redmond Layered with a balance of sweet, spicy, tart, and effervescent, this refreshing non alcoholic sangria is perfect for summer parties or brunches, especially for the non-drinkers, kiddos, or D....