Syndicate content

Mediterranean Inspired Recipes

Choose a category from the list at the left to browse through our recipes! You can also use the recipe search.

Mediterranean Lemon Chicken and Potatoes

This easy meal can be prepared in the oven or on the grill—and thanks to the foil packaging, it’s virtually mess-free!  And it’s economical—under $3 per serving.

Arborio Rice Pie

Imagine crossing rice pudding with cheesecake. This rich and creamy dessert makes a great brunch dish. Be sure to use milky white arborio rice, which is high in starch and turns creamy as it absorbs liquid.

Artichokes Istanbul-Style

Ferda Erdinc, who owns Istanbul’s Zencefil restaurant in Crete, taught Ana how to make this traditional Turkish specialty. Serve it with fish or as one of many mezze before a meal. Recipe from the book Spice – Flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean, by Ana Sortun, published by Regan Books/Harper Collins.

Arugula Salad with Cucumbers, Feta and Mint

Adding bread to a salad of greens and tomatoes is popular in the Mediterranean. Here it’s paired with cucumbers, radishes, and olives, in a tasty mix that delivers lots of satisfying crunch. Cracker bread is a thin flatbread that absorbs liquid without becoming mushy. Recipe from The Zuni Café Cookbook, by Judy Rogers, W.W. Norton & Co.

Arugula with Pancetta, Grilled Asparagus, and White Beans

Serve this tasty dish for lunch, or as a first course for a meal that includes a light, grilled fish. You can substitute prosciutto, salami, or ham for the pancetta: toss it on the grill for just a minute before serving. Recipe from License to Grill, by Chris Schlesinger and John Willoughby, William Morrow and Co.
 

Arugula-Walnut Pesto

Here’s a fresh and delicious alternative to the more traditional basil pesto. Serve as a sauce for pasta or thin with a bit of olive oil to make a dressing for raw or cooked vegetables.

Asparagus Risotto

Think of this recipe as a model or basic risotto recipe. You can vary it in many ways, substituting other vegetables, alone or in combination, depending on the season: in spring, freshly shelled green peas or fava beans; in summer, peeled and seeded red-ripe tomatoes, zucchini, or sweet peppers roasted and peeled; or in autumn, fresh fennel or chunks of butternut squash. Recipe courtesy of Nancy Harmon Jenkins, The New Mediterranean Diet Cookbook, Bantam Books.

Avocado and Shrimp Tostadas

Pair corn, shrimp, and avocados for a quick and easy lunch or dinner.
Recipe courtesy of California Avocado Commission.

Avocado Bisque with Tarragon
Enjoy this beautiful, refreshing soup hot or cold. Recipe courtesy of California Avocado Commission.
 
Avocado Carpaccio Salad

This recipe cleverly substitutes avocado for the thin slices of raw beef used in traditional carpaccio. Although it requires several steps, it’s very easy to master. And, you can use any of the marinated vegetables and the dressing with other salads. Recipe from Chef Pedro Alfaro, courtesy of the California Avocado Commission.