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In this saffron chicken recipe, bone-in chicken thighs are braised with carrots, potatoes and leeks in a creamy yet light sauce made with fragrant saffron and decadent mascarpone. White wine, thyme, and garlic add a further depth of flavor to this comforting dish, which is finished off with a zingy cilantro dressing. Photo Credits: Ali Redmond As the weather begins to turn and you start craving comforting dishes to warm the cockles of your heart, this saffron chicken recipe is guaranteed to satisfy the search for a hug in food form....

Ready in just 5 minutes with no cooking required, this Creamy Whipped Feta is the perfect dip made with rich feta cheese and thick Greek yogurt. Serve it with pita chips or fresh vegetables for a quick and easy appetizer or mezze , spread it on your sandwiches, or use it as a bed to roasted veggies and other toppings (I have lots of ideas for you below)! An easy whipped feta dip It’s my belief that feta cheese makes almost anything better, from a few pieces of crumbled feta atop a fresh salad to a grilled cheese sandwich , and don’t get me started on the flavor revelation which watermelon and feta !...

I’m fond of any recipe that can function in multiple ways: snack, appetizer, or a healthier weeknight side. This grilled Brussels sprouts recipe absolutely fits the bill here. Quickly marinated, Mediterranean-style, then perfectly charred, and finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan. Admittedly, I fell in love with Brussels sprouts more recently as an adult. These baby cabbages are so tasty, simply cooked in extra virgin olive oil with a generous pinch of salt and pepper....

If you aren’t eating hummus in the morning, you may be missing out on the easiest way to stack your fiber and build a high-protein breakfast that isn’t just eggs! Hummus, the Breakfast of the Levant When I married into a Jordanian family many moons ago, I entered the world of “hummus for breakfast.” Yes, I’m talking about a bowl of creamy hummus made from simmered chickpeas , tahini, garlic, lemon juice and a drizzle of good extra virgin olive oil ....

Linguine alle Vongole, or Linguine with Clams as it’s called in the US, is spicy, briny, and glistening with an irresistibly aromatic sauce. This authentic Italian recipe will make you feel like you’re at a fancy ristorante. In reality, it’s one of the easiest Italian dishes–certainly quick and simple enough for a weeknight dinner. Photo Credits: Andrea Gralow Linguine with Clams is is an Italian pasta that I probably crave more than any other (if I absolutely had to pick just one)!...

Easy Spinach Tortellini Salad , loaded with with fresh herbs, tomatoes, mozzarella, and olives, and tossed in a simple homemade Italian dressing. Perfect for a little party, or serve it as a side next to chicken or fish . Leftovers will make a great lunch the next day! An easy Mediterranean tortellini pasta salad This spinach tortellini salad is one of my favorites because it’s quick and easy to assemble and the leftovers are perfect for lunch the next day!...

This roasted vegetable salad finds that sweet spot where light and healthy meets totally satisfying. Fresh summer veggies and chickpeas are roasted in the oven until tender and bursting with flavor, then topped with Halloumi for a little savory satisfaction. Photo Credits: Andrea Gralow Roasted Vegetable Salad is my take on a traditional Ratatouille , with, of course, my own twist. A zippy lemon and garlic Ladolemono Greek Dressing replaces the tomato stew and tangy fried halloumi cheese stands in for the classic poached egg....

Sweet, perfectly tender roasted butternut squash recipe, made extra special with the addition of a bright lime vinaigrette and a sprinkle of crunchy nuts for great texture. This recipe is adapted from Melissa Clark’s book Dinner in French with permission from the author. Melissa Clark’s Butternut Squash Recipe! Who can resist sweet roasted butternut squash with crispy edges and a tender, creamy center?! Just as we do with roasted sweet potatoes , butternut squash needs a little bit of seasoning, a good drizzle of extra virgin olive oil , and high heat....

Ezme is a finely chopped spicy tomato recipe from Turkey that lives somewhere between a spread, salad, and dip. My friends abroad refer to it as “Turkish salsa” and it is rightly so, as it delivers a lovely, refreshing salsa vibe, Turkish style. Photo Credits: Mariam Hamdy Hailing from southern Turkey, the versatile, wholesome and so delicious Ezme is one of my all-time favorite spreads. It has a wonderful mixture of fresh, sweet, spicy, and acidic flavors and it is one of my favorite mezzes, often served as a side with Kofta Kebab or scooped up with Pita Bread ....

What does the Mediterranean diet consist of? What can you eat on the Mediterranean diet? Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Mediterranean diet expert Ale Zozos answers your questions and busts some big myths along the way! This is a guest post by Ale Zozos , Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Opinions are fully her own. Bio included below the post. Photo Credit: Oldways So you want to start on the Mediterranean diet but you’re not sure of one major thing: What can you eat?...

In this twist on classic Shakshuka, a can of cannellini beans simmers in the spicy tomato and bell pepper sauce until the beans are tender, creamy, and flavorful. There’s almost too much going for this easy Shakshuka recipe to list! It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and satisfying. And don’t forget: just like the original, white bean shakshuka is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! Photo Credits: Ali Redmond Shakshuka, pronounced “shak-SHOO-kah,” is a traditional North African dish of eggs poached in a wonderfully fragrant, deliciously spicy, rich, and jammy tomato and bell pepper sauce....

Baharat, pronounced ba-Ha-raght , is a Middle Eastern spice blend layered with sweet, earthy, spicy flavors, and a delicate florality. Learn everything you need to know about baharat spice in this essential guide, including: What is baharat? What’s in it? And my favorite ways to use it. Photo Credits: Mark Beahm If you could bottle the quintessential Middle Eastern dance between sweet and savory, warming and spicy, and bold and delicate, it would be baharat spice blend....

Light, velvety, and full of greens, this vegan asparagus soup with sweet peas and savory chives is the best way to welcome spring! Photo Credits: Mark Beahm March may herald the start of spring, but I can still feel the lingering residue of winter calling me toward this rich and comforting soup. Asparagus, with its season running from early March into June, becomes its most flavorful just as the sun starts to shine again....

Homey, comforting bifteki or biftekia are Greek ground beef patties seasoned with onions and herbs that bake on a bed of lemony potatoes. They make a delicious, high-protein dish that’s easy to put together. Photo Credits: Mark Beahm Bifteki (singular) or biftekia (plural) are a very popular comfort food dish in my native Greece. Children and adults alike love them, especially for a Sunday meal. Every family has its own slightly different version of the recipe, which they pass down from one generation to the next....

Turn your simple weeknight dinner into an elegant feast with this oven-braised chicken thighs recipe! This simple one-dish dinner delivers restaurant-quality flavor with a rich, garlic and thyme-infused white wine sauce, delicate roasted grapes, and golden fennel. Photo Credits: Mark Beahm Braising chicken thighs in the oven is one of my favorite techniques for a simple and satisfying weeknight dinner. This recipe, with roasted grapes, anise-scented fennel, and aromatic thyme, is an elegant fall meal that’s quick enough for a weeknight dinner....

Perfectly fluffy cauliflower fritters, packed with fresh herbs, cumin and other warm spices. Serve them as an appetizer or snack with a squeeze of lemon juice or mint yogurt! Or pile them into a little pita for lunch. Lots of ideas below. I’ve not met vegetable fritters I did not like, but today’s cauliflower fritters recipe tops them all! Satisfying, fluffy, and layered with warm flavors. Every so often, I get to share a recipe from a cherished cookbook from my library....

This creamy dill sauce for salmon totally recharged my weeknight dinner routine, and honestly, my dinner party mojo, too. Why Dill Sauce is My New Favorite Seafood Topper It’s creamy without being heavy: Greek yogurt gives it that luscious texture. It’s versatile: I spoon it over shrimp, trout, or seared scallops, and it never misses. It’s easy! One bowl, a whisk, and it’s ready! I’ve made salmon every which way over the years, but this new dill sauce for salmon recipe from my friend Mersedeh Prewer has reinvigorated my love for it....

Jerusalem bagel, called Ka’ak Al Quds , are soft and airy oval-shaped bagels with a slight sweetness, thanks to the honeyed sesame topping! These are easy to make and take only a few familiar ingredients. Best enjoyed warm for a quick snack or the perfect breakfast with a little Labneh or even some saucy shakshuka . Full step-by-step tutorial with photos included below! If there is one food that has me wishing I could immediately hop on a plane to Jerusalem, it’s gotta be a warm Jerusalem bagel!...

Golden, juicy, and bursting with zippy lemon flavor, this chicken piccata recipe comes together in 20 minutes or less. The easy piccata sauce is perfectly silky with no heavy cream necessary. And it could not be easier! Photo Credits: Ali Redmond This chicken piccata recipe leans into the bold, bright flavors of the original, swapping a touch of butter for rich and fruity extra virgin olive oil. The result is a slightly lighter piccata sauce that’s every bit as delicious!...

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....