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Small Plates
Italian Sushi Using Leftover Risotto
People often wonder what to do with leftover risotto. I'll write a post in the future outlining all of my ideas for leftover risotto. This one is too good to wait. I love to stuff vegetables with rice, beans, pasta, etc. I had the idea to create a fun, appetizer that...
Mediterranean Roasted Vegetable Sandwich
As the weather is turning cooler, I wanted a warm, toasty sandwich. I had some late summer vegetables: a small eggplant and a zucchini. To that I added some jarred roasted red peppers and fresh mozzarella. It resulted in this Mediterranean Roasted Vegetable Sandwich....
Olive Oil Dipping Sauce
One of my favorite treats is to dip Italian bread into an olive oil dipping sauce. This is my go-to snack when I want something quick and comforting. It only takes a few minutes to make. Olive oil is rich in healthy monounsaturated fats, is full of antioxidants that...
Easy Baked Hash Brown Potatoes
One of the things I miss most during this time of quarantine, is going out to eat. I enjoy cooking, but I especially miss the convenience and comfort of diners. I love a good diner breakfast. They usually serve potatoes with breakfast, which I don't always take the...
Gazpacho, a Cool Summer Soup
Gazpacho is a cool soup made with tomatoes and other raw vegetables. It originated in the Andalusian region of southern Spain, and is now very popular all over Spain, Portugal, and in my house. It’ll be on your list of favorites, too, once you taste it. You can add...
Farro Salad with Vegetables and Herbs
When following a Mediterranean diet, it’s important to explore whole grains for overall health. There are many kinds of whole grains on the market, and this farro salad makes good use of one of my favorites. Farro is an ancient grain known as the mother of all wheat...
Tzatziki Sauce With Herbed Naan
I love the freshness of cucumbers and I love the zip of garlic. Tzatziki sauce is a brilliant combination of these two ingredients. This recipe is super easy. You can use it as a dipping sauce or as a sandwich topping or even as a salad dressing. In the picture above...
Baba Ghanoush – Eggplant Appetizer
Baba Ghanoush is an eggplant appetizer from Lebanon that is full of flavor and antioxidants. It makes a tasty dip for pita or vegetables. I also like it as a sandwich spread. It goes very nicely on summer tomato sandwiches. When I am making this for two people, I cut...
Sardine Pâté – A Healthy Snack
As we’re stuck in the house during these troubling times, we’re probably not getting enough Vitamin D. This Sardine Pâté recipe will help provide you with a healthy dose of Vitamin D during lockdown. Let me explain the difference between Vitamin D2 and D3. Vitamin D2...
Eggplant Tower – This Recipe Changed My Life
When I was living in California, a local Italian restaurant served this eggplant tower as an appetizer. I ordered it often. It was unbreaded layers of eggplant with tomato sauce and cheese, baked in the oven. We recreate that recipe here. But first I want to tell you...
Moroccan-Inspired Breakfast
I think every Mediterranean country has its own version of potatoes for breakfast. My Dad, who was Italian, used to make us potatoes and eggs. My Mediterranean-inspired breakfast recipe combines potatoes with chickpeas and greens with plenty of warm, earthy Moroccan...
Pistachio Cream Sauce for Pasta
You'll often hear me say that the Mediterranean diet is a lifestyle of moderate indulgences. This pistachio cream sauce for pasta is a perfect example of what I mean. This rich sauce is made with heavy cream but it is only consumed in a small portion. You don't have...
Tortellini Soup – Tortellini en Brodo With Shrimp
Tortellini soup, known in Northern Italy as Tortellini en Brodo (in broth), is a traditional first course served during holiday meals, especially Christmas. You can make this delicious simple soup any time of year. Tortellini can be quite filling. This tortellini soup...
Warm Lentil Salad – A Recipe for the New Year
Lentils are traditionally eaten on New Year's Day in Italy to welcome prosperity in the coming year. The small round shape of the lentils is meant to represent coins. This warm lentil salad will bring you luck and wealth in the new year while providing you with a...
Spicy Calabrian Shrimp – A Crowd Pleaser
This recipe for Spicy Calabrian Shrimp is a real crowd pleaser. Consider serving them as appetizers at your next get-together. These spicy shrimp make a great accompaniment to risotto dishes. They also make a tasty addition to a salads. Spicy Calabrian Shrimp are so...
About Us
The Mediterranean diet is all about gorgeous, seasonal food shared with family and friends. As Federico Fellini once said, “Life is a combination of magic and pasta.” So come join us for a little magic and lots of pasta.