Table of Contents
Introduction 7
Mediterranean Pantry Staples 8
The Spices 10
Chapter 1 Appetizers and Mezze: Fast and Fresh Light Fare 17
Beef and Pine Nut Phyllo Rolls 18
Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta with Labneh 21
Baked Feta Two Ways 22
Citrus-Roasted Olives and Artichoke Hearts 25
Savory Cheese-Filled Pastries with Spicy Tomato Herb Sauce 26
Tahini Toasts, Any Way You Like It 29
Breakfast Egg and Avocado Pastries with Harissa Salsa 30
Breakfast Pitas with Lamb, Tomatoes and Feta 33
Steamed Mussels with Tomato and Harissa 34
Pita Nachos with Fried Eggplant and All the Toppings 37
Grilled Za'atar-Spiced Flatbread with Squash Blossoms 38
Quick Pickled Vegetables 41
Spiced Baked Pita Chips 42
Chapter 2 The Main Meal: Easy and Vibrant Mediterranean Dinners 45
Shakshuka with Lamb and Spices 46
One-Pot Paprika Chicken with Olives and Orzo 49
Poached Fish with Chickpeas, Tomatoes and Herbs 50
Stuffed Tomatoes with Lamb and Feta 53
Yogurt-Marinated Lamb and Eggplant Kabobs 54
Olive Oil-Braised Chicken with Fennel and Citrus 57
Stuffed Eggplant with Meat and Tahini 58
Pomegranate-Glazed Lamb Chops 61
Everyday Chicken Shawarma 62
Za'atar Chicken Skewers 65
Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Green Beans, Potatoes and Spices 66
Salmon Puttanesca 69
Saffron Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta 70
Chapter 3 Soups and Salas: Flavorful One-Pot Meals 73
Roasted Pepper and Tomato Soup with Broiled Halloumi Cheese 74
Turkish Lentil Soup 77
Lemony Chicken Soup with Rice 78
Cumin-Scented Squash and Lentil Soup with Crispy Chickpeas 81
White Bean Soup with Herbs, Lemon and Arugula 82
Creamy Saffron Cauliflower Soup with Paprika Oil 85
Fennel Fattoush Salad with Pistachios 86
Sweet-and-Spicy Chopped Salad 89
Summer Fruit and Heirloom Tomato Panzanella with Basil Mint Vinaigrette 90
Charred Radicchio Salad with Israeli Couscous and Anchovy Citrus Vinaigrette 93
Chopped Salad with Farro, Crispy Chickpeas and Turmeric Vinaigrette 94
Jeweled Tabbouleh Salad with Couscous 97
Chopped Rainbow Salad with Crispy Lavash 98
Autumn Squash Salad with Figs and Arugula 101
Chapter 4 Vegetables, Grains and Pulses: Effortlessly Healthy and Wholesome Eats 103
Farro Paella with Seafood and Chorizo 104
Unstuffed Grape Leaves 107
Zucchini and Halloumi Rollatini 108
Red Lentil Falafel 111
Turmeric Lemon Couscous with Currants 112
Baked Orzo with Artichokes, Tomatoes and Halloumi 115
Beet-Infused Israeli Couscous with Beet Vinaigrette 116
Basmati Rice with Pistachios, Lima Beans and Dill 119
Roasted Cauliflower with Capers, Almonds and Pomegranate Tahini Sauce 120
Persian Rice with Turmeric and Saffron 123
Leek and Spinach Fritters with Lemon Yogurt 124
Turkish Eggs with Spinach and Yogurt 127
Mediterranean Ratatouille with Pistachio Pesto 128
Deconstructed Baba Ganoush 131
Roasted Turmeric Potatoes with Mint Fennel Slaw 132
Mediterranean-Style Baked Omelet with Potatoes and Lima Beans 135
Harissa-Roasted Butternut Squash with Dates 135
Broccoli Rabe with Chickpeas and Garlic Pine Nuts 139
Cauliflower Rice Pilaf with Lentils, Fried Onions and Burst Tomatoes 140
Chapter 5 Sauces, Dips and Spreads: Aromatic Condiments to Enhance Any Dish 143
Easy Homemade Harissa Sauce 144
Magical Herb Tahini Sauce 147
Pistachio Pesto 148
Mediterranean Green Romesco 151
Roasted Beet and Yogurt Dip Two Ways 152
Yogurt Feta Dip with Fresh Herbs 155
Persian Style Eggplant and Yogurt Dip 156
Everyday Hummus 159
Cucumber, Yogurt and Mint Dip 160
Mediterranean Chimichurri 163
Blood Orange and Pomegranate Salsa 164
Roasted Red Pepper and Tahini Spread 167
Chapter 6 Sweets and Sips: Light and Fruity Treats to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth 169
Baked Cardamom French Toast with Peaches and Orange Blossom 170
Mini Baklava Bites 173
Fruit Rose Tart with Rose Whipped Cream 174
Saffron-Poached Pears with Cardamom Pods 177
Mini Fig Tarts with Pomegranate Molasses 178
Rose-Saffron Crème Brûlée 181
Tahini Date Bites with Cardamom 182
Citrus Pomegranate Cocktail with Cardamom 185
Muddled Mint and Cucumber Cooler 186
Acknowledgments 188
About the Author 189
Index 190