Orzo is a small pasta that’s cut in the shape of short-grain rice. Learn everything you need to know about how to cook orzo, how it’s made, and our favorite orzo recipes in this essential guide. Photo Credits: Mariam Hamdy What is Orzo? What Does Orzo Taste Like? How is Orzo Made? How to Cook Orzo How Long to Cook Orzo Is Orzo Gluten Free? What to Make with Orzo Try Orzo in These Recipes How to Cook Orzo Recipe What is Orzo?...
Ayran is a refreshing Turkish drink made from just three ingredients: yogurt, salt, and water. Make an ice-cold glass of Turkish ayran to cool off on a hot day, for a light breakfast or afternoon snack, or to mellow a rich or spicy meal. Photo Credits: Elana Lepkowski Ayran (pronounced eye-raun) is a salty, light, and deliciously frothy yogurt drink that’s particularly welcome on a sweltering summer afternoon. That’s not only because it’s thirst-quenching; Ayran also replenishes the salt you naturally lose by sweating–like the Turkish version of Gatorade....
Chicken spiedini are juicy chicken skewers coated in Parmesan-herb breadcrumbs for an unexpected crunch! A zesty lemon marinade makes the chicken tender and flavorful, while a garlic Parmesan and parsley drizzle finishes the dish. It’s easy enough for a weeknight and equally great for a casual summer dinner party. Photo Credits: Ali Redmond Marinated, then rolled in Parmesan-herb breadcrumbs, this chicken spiedini recipe delivers everything I love about summer grilling—big flavor, great texture, and just the right amount of smoky char—all with little effort....
Broccoli fritters are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with bold flavor thanks to garlic, onion, parsley, and warm Middle Eastern spices. Using frozen broccoli makes them super easy and the chickpea flour-batter is dairy- and gluten-free, too! Photo Credits: Miriam Novoa These Broccoli Fritters from my second cookbook, Simply Dinner , are one of those humble little recipes that I make again and again. They’re not fancy, but wow, do they deliver on flavor!...
This vegetarian eggplant rollatini recipe uses a delicious part-skim ricotta cheese filling with basil pesto and parsley, then baked to perfection in a bubbly red sauce! It takes a few simple steps to make for the perfect vegetarian meal or side next to your favorite protein . Read on for tips and be sure to check out the video below! We have fun with eggplant around here. We enjoy it in many forms— Couscous stuffed eggplant ; yiayia-approved moussaka ; simply roasted eggplant with a drizzle of tahini on top…and more....
Need an omelet for one? This easy mug omelet recipe with veggies is your ticket! Fluffy and delicious eggs that are cooked in just over 1 minute. Microwave eggs? I recently tried cooking eggs in the microwave, inspired by Elise Bower over at Simply Recipes . To my surprise, they turned out great–extra fluffy too! To be clear, if I’m making eggs for the whole family, I would not do use the microwave because it would not make sense to make an egg casserole or a vegetable frittata to feed a crowd in the microwave....
Fatayer, pronounced “fat-tah-y-er,” are savory hand pies named for the Arabic word meaning “pastries” or “little pies.” Traditionally, this fatayer recipe is made and served for special occasions and gatherings, however, these healthy, freezable bite-sized snacks are perfect anytime of year! Photo Credits: Mariam Hamdy This fatayer recipe is brought to you by Mama Dina, otherwise known as my wonderful mother-in-law! She makes these little pastry-triangles by the dozens, filling her freezer for whenever her five adult “kids” stop by....
Everything you need to know about America’s favorite seafood, including how to buy, prepare, and cook shrimp perfectly every time. There may be other fish in the sea, but Americans prize one seafood above all: shrimp. This curly crustacean has been the most popular seafood in the United States for years. Versatile and requiring very little cooking time, shrimp is as great for a weeknight dinner as it is for a special occasion, and it appears on kitchen tables and banquet buffets alike, whether it’s fried, boiled, or served over pasta , or skewered on kebabs ....
If you’re looking for a healthy egg salad that is anything but average, this recipe is the one for you! Prepared Mediterranean-style, this simple egg salad with avocados, fresh herbs, and crunchy garden veggies is loaded with texture and bright flavor. It will be your new favorite! Low carb and gluten free. Be sure to read through for tips and ways to serve this healthy egg salad recipe. Having spent my college years in the Midwest, I’ve had my share of cafeteria-style egg salad....
Labneh, also spelled labnah, labne or lebne, is a versatile Middle Eastern strained yogurt with a spreadable texture similar to cream cheese. This delightfully tangy yogurt cheese is so easy to make, this recipe will become a staple in your kitchen. Photo Credits: Suzy Karadsheh If you love the tangy flavor of sour cream and the versatility of cream cheese, but you’re looking for a healthier option, this labneh recipe is it!...
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 ....
Hearty, rustic, and satisfying vegan cabbage soup, prepared Mediterranean-style with loads of vegetables, tasty aromatics, and a few warm spices. A splash of lemon juice and some fresh herbs, stirred at the very end, take this vegetable and cabbage soup to a whole new level of delicious. Need a crock pot cabbage soup? I’ve got you covered! And you can also see instructions for Instant Pot cabbage soup below....
I’m so excited to share a childhood favorite: Egyptian-style butter cookies! Bite-size, melt-in-your-mouth butter cookies that are just the right amount of sweet. Best part? This butter cookies recipe requires so little work and only 3 ingredients: Ghee (highly clarified butter); powdered sugar; and flour. This recipe makes 35 small cookies; and I can assure you, they will be devoured fast! Step-by-step tutorial included. More Recipes to Try: Greek Easter Bread ; Baklava ; Greek Honey Cake with Pistachios ; Basbousa Cake ; Tahini Brownies...
Even the best of home cooks need dinner shortcuts. This tasty tuna couscous salad recipe is one of my new favorites! This post is brought to you in partnership withWild Garden.All opinions are my own. A delicious triumph of resourcefulness, that’s the best way to describe this simple tuna couscous salad recipe. Or let’s call it a win-win-win recipe: protein-packed, budget-friendly, and quick! Why this tuna couscous salad recipe works Humble canned tuna takes on a vague Italian twist....
Let Italy’s vibrant flavors do all the talking with this open faced sandwich recipe! Serve for breakfast, lunch, dinner, as an appetizer, you really can’t go wrong! Photo Credits: Suzy Karadsheh Sometimes the sandwich fixings are so tasty you don’t want to cover them with an extra layer of bread. That’s how I feel about this open faced sandwich! I wanted to capture an Antipasto Platter vibe in sandwich form, so I went for classic Italian-style flavor-makers....
Turn 3 pounds of fresh tomatoes and a handful of pantry staples into a rich, fragrant pasta sauce in 45 minutes or less! Learn how to make roasted tomato sauce from scratch with this easy recipe. Photo Credits: Ali Redmond Making your own roasted tomato sauce from fresh tomatoes is easier than most people think. This back-pocket recipe is a great way to use up an abundance of fresh garden tomatoes or a particularly good farmer’s market haul, as tomato sauce freezes very well!...
Peaches practically dripping with sunshine yield to creamy goat cheese and the subtle bite of a Dijon vinaigrette in this peach salad recipe that embraces summer in every single bite! This colorful peach salad comes together in minutes and is certain to be a fan favorite in your home. Photo Credits: Andrea Gralow If summer in Italy were a food, it would be this peach salad. Like the Caprese or Panzanella , it celebrates the season’s summer bounty, including aromatic basil and delicately sweet peaches....
This persimmon bread recipe yields a moist, warmly spiced quick bread made with sweet persimmon purée, olive oil, and toasted walnuts. It’s the perfect way to enjoy fall’s most underrated fruit. Photo Credits: Mark Beahm If you’ve ever noticed the vibrant red-orange color of persimmons at the grocery store or farmers market and been curious to sample their honey-sweet flavor, persimmon bread is an easy and approachable way to try them....
Potato hash gets a Mediterranean twist with this easy recipe! Crispy potatoes, asparagus, chickpeas, and tomatoes are loaded with big flavor thanks to a bold blend of spices. Photo Credit: Ali Redmond Potato hash may be mostly an American phenomenon, often associated with late-night diners. And while I’d never argue with crispy potatoes—or the ease of a one-skillet meal—to me it has always begged for a boost from the spices of my childhood....
Stacked high with tender roasted eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers, slathered with creamy ricotta and basil pesto, and finished with peppery arugula, this easy vegetable sandwich recipe is a true celebration of summer. Photo Credits: Bella Karragiannidis When summer produce is at its peak, we crave meals that feel effortless but still pack a punch, and these roasted vegetable sandwiches are exactly that. This recipe was born out of a late summer craving to turn garden vegetables into something hearty and portable....
