Flavor-packed tender meatballs with a crispy crust and a light, bright lemon sauce – I’m talking about Greek meatballs (keftedes)! This recipe can serve a crowd as an appetizer, but also makes tasty dinner bowls or pita sandwiches. Photo Credits: Ali Redmond These juicy Greek meatballs are called Keftedes or Keftethes (pronounced keh-FTEH-dhes). They are for people who LOVE flavor! I dress up ground beef and lamb with fresh mint, garlic, lemon, and warming spices to create a well-seasoned meatball that is crispy on the outside but tender and juicy on the inside....

Sweet, tender Delicata squash gets the royal treatment in this colorful fall side dish. Photo Credits: Miriam Novoa Delicata squash is one of my favorite winter squashes. Its thin skin makes it easy to prep, and its pale orange interior bakes up sweet and creamy, with a pretty autumn hue. For this easy side dish, I’ve given Delicata an Italian twist, roasting them with honey and freshly grated Parmesan cheese and finishing them with a scattering of toasted pine nuts....

Braised greens with lemon, olive oil, and garlic, known as horta, have been an integral part of the Greek diet since ancient times. Here’s how to transform an armload of greens into this nutritious side dish! Photo Credits: Mark Beahm If you’ve ever traveled to Greece, you’ve probably come across a plate of horta—a simple, rustic dish of braised greens with a good drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and plenty of fresh lemon....

Here is everything you need to know about freekeh, a Mediterranean super grain with a delicious nutty, slightly smoky flavor. Plus, how to cook freekeh perfectly every time. Freekeh may sound new to you, but like barley and farro , this nutritious wholegrain has been part of the Mediterranean diet for centuries! And if you’re looking to change things up from your typical grain or rice , it’s time to try it....

Give olives the spotlight they deserve with this olive salad recipe, complete with buttery Castelvetrano olives, fresh herbs, bell peppers, and a sweet-tart pomegranate dressing. It’s ready in 10 minutes or less! Photo Credits: Suzy Karadsheh Olives are rarely the star of a meal, but they ought to be—especially Castelvetrano olives, which are my favorite. Buttery and tender with a nice bite, I love them as a flavor-maker for Tapenade , Greek Sheet Pan Chicken , and Italian Potato Salad , just to name a few....

This savory pumpkin hummus is layered with subtly smoky flavor and warming Mediterranean spices. Serve with pita chips for an easy appetizer that takes 10 minutes or less. Perfect for fall spreads and Halloween parties. Photo Credits: Ali Redmond I’ll admit that I was a pumpkin hummus skeptic. I am mainly a purist when it comes to hummus, one of the most iconic Mediterreanean mezzes . I love to make mine from scratch with only a squeeze of lemon juice and a clove or two of garlic....

Craving some cozy, pumpkin flavors or looking for a healthy dessert to grace your holiday table? Then you’ll love this easy Greek yogurt pumpkin parfait! A tiny bit of creamy Mascarpone creates an indulgent, velvety texture in this gluten-free dessert, while a topping of dark chocolate chips and nuts add crunch! Yogurt seems to have been a consistent part of my childhood. Mom managed to regularly pull together a fresh homemade batch for baking a cake , making yogurt parfaits topped with fruit and drizzled with honey or for all sorts of savory applications including marinades and yogurt sauces similar to Tzatziki....

In this shrimp salad recipe, poached shrimp are mixed with a zippy, creamy, lemony dressing, and then tossed with fresh avocado, parsley, and green onions. Rich and refreshing all at the same time! Photo Credits: Kathrine Irwin With its seasonally flexible ingredient list, you can easily make this shrimp salad recipe year-round. But to me it screams a hot summer afternoon, where you stick a bottle of white wine or rosé in an ice bucket and head out to your backyard, fire escape, the park down the street—whatever you’re working with—and pass around fresh lemony things to share....

Baked mac and cheese, the ultimate comfort food, gets a Greek-style twist with spinach, creamy feta cheese, fresh parsley, and a luxurious bechamel sauce. A delicious baked pasta casserole to feed a crowd! Photo Credits: Andrea Gralow When I was working on an egg muffin recipe for first cookbook inspired by the classic Greek savory feta and spinach pie Spanakopita , I started imagining everything I would like to “spanakopita-ify....

This spicy shrimp couscous with smoky, garlicky Spanish chorizo is a serious flavor party in under 30 minutes! A little bit Moroccan, a little bit Spanish, and all around delicious, the whole family will absolutely love this easy one pot dinner. Photo Credits: Suzy Karadsheh My family calls this recipe, “jazzed up couscous” for a reason! It’s a fun twist inspired by traditional Moroccan Couscous and Spanish Chorizo Pasta , with quick cooking shrimp and bold Mediterranean flavor-makers to marry everything together....

When the heat kicks in, few things are more satisfying than a refreshing summer beverage. From bubbly spritzers and citrusy wine drinks to spirit-forward sippers and even fruity mocktails, these summer cocktail recipes are colorful, easy to make, and full of bright, sun-soaked flavor. Image ofWatermelon Sangriaby Ali Redmond These summer drinks are sure to cool you down as the heat index rises. This is a list of some of my favorite summer cocktail (and mocktail) recipes, plus ideas for what to pair them with to make the most of every get-together this summer....

When it comes to easy weeknight dinners, this sun dried tomato chicken recipe hits the spot. Tender juicy chicken breasts cooked in a creamy sauce made without heavy cream, and dressed up with spinach, olives, and sun dried tomatoes. It comes together in just 30 minutes. Photo Credit: Ali Redmond This quick and easy weeknight dinner recipe of chicken with sun dried tomatoes comes together in just 30 minutes. Sun-dried tomatoes concentrate the natural sweetness of their namesake and add a bright pop of acidity to balance the creamy sauce and briny Kalamata olives....

This easy stuffed eggplant recipe begins with tender roasted eggplant halves that are filled with a simple vegan Mediterranean stuffing with couscous, chickpeas, tomatoes, and fresh herbs. Great as a vegetarian main or as a side next to your favorite protein . Tips and step-by-step tutorial included! Eggplant is a staple Mediterranean ingredient , and one of my personal favorites! I love cooking it to tender perfection, whether in a hearty stew like this one , simply roasted , or even stuffed!...

White Sangria, or “Sangría Blanca” as it’s called in Spain, is an easy-to-make pitcher cocktail of crisp white wine, fresh fruit, and sherry. It’s a lighter twist on the classic Red Wine Sangria . For a festive summer brunch or afternoon cocktail hour make a big pitcher of this white wine sangria recipe. Sip, catch up with friends and relax a bit! Photo Credits: Elana Lepkowski Sangria is a popular wine-based drink that originated in Spain in the early 19th century....

This Butternut Squash Salad has everything you want in a fall salad recipe — tender roasted squash, nutty farro, kale, creamy goat cheese and pepitas — all dressed in an apple cider vinaigrette. It’s as pretty to look at as it is delicious to eat. Photo Credits: Christine Siracusa Every year once the weather cools and the leaves shift from bright green to amber and gold, I host a huge fall gathering to mark the changing of the seasons....

This Mediterranean diet friendly Date Nut Bread recipe is richly spiced and super moist thanks to lots of chopped dates. Toasted walnuts add crunch to this easy, quick bread recipe. Photo Credits: Mark Beahm Date nut bread is a throwback quick bread that, lately, seems overshadowed by other comforting loaves, like banana bread and pumpkin bread . Sweet chewy dates, toasted walnuts, and plenty of warm baking spices make it just as cozy....

This easy, healthy homemade chicken shawarma is a huge fan-favorite around here, for good reason! The secret is in the simple shawarma spice mixture, which makes all the difference. My step-by-step tutorial and video show you exactly how to make this delicious chicken! Serve it in pita pockets with tahini sauce and this lazy salad , and call it dinner! I grew up in Port Said, Egypt, where the streets are filled with small stands and joints selling delicious, super fragrant Middle Eastern foods....

Make French macarons, elegant gluten-free sandwich cookies with a crisp shell and a tender interior, at home with this easy step-by-step guide from a professional baker. Photo Credits: Mark Beahm Macarons are delicate and naturally gluten-free French almond meringue cookies filled with jam, ganache, or buttercream. Though they have a reputation for being finicky, they’re absolutely achievable at home if you’re comfortable making meringue and using a piping bag. The trickiest part is learning to recognize when the batter reaches the perfect consistency before piping....

“How do you keep your herbs fresh and vibrant?” is a question I get on the regular. So today, I’ll tell you exactly how to store fresh herbs so they last and stay green and flavorful for a good while (10 days to 2 weeks, and sometimes, when I’m lucky, even longer!) My friends have a running joke about me being the “parsley queen”! It’s funny because it’s true! Cooking the Mediterranean way , I use more herbs than anyone I know!...

This simple Mediterranean-style sautéed shrimp and vegetables recipe comes together in just over 20 minutes! Zucchini, onions, and bell pepper, paired with succulent shrimp, and protein-packed chickpeas come together in just one skillet. And you’ll love the bold Mediterranean flavors from spices, tangy lemon juice, and fresh herbs. Want to cook shrimp perfectly every time? Be sure to read on for my tips, and grab suggested sides and salads too!...