The cuisine of the Mediterranean region is home to some of the most well-known and well-loved delicacies found anywhere in the globe. Many people think that having a varied diet is the secret to living a healthy life.
Most people don’t know that Mediterranean food’s geography, history, and recipes are also much more extensive than they think. You have, therefore, arrived at the appropriate location if you are interested in acquiring further information.
Get ready to have your taste buds tingle because we are about to go on a unique culinary tour around this stunning region and investigate 20 of its most delectable dishes.
1. Baklava
Baklava is a sweet treat from the Mediterranean region that satisfies your sweet taste. Filo dough is layered with chopped almonds, and honey or syrup is used to bind it all together. Baklava is so delicious that it has become a hot topic of debate as to which country first developed it. Baklava is claimed by the Greeks, Turks, and people of the Middle East as their own, and they all make it their manner.
2. Falafel
Falafel is an easy-to-make dish that is full of flavor. Chickpea mash and various herbs and spices go into each ball’s composition. By rolling them into balls, you can make patties out of these small sweets. After that, they’re deep-fried and either served on their own or as an appetizer as part of an enormous dinner.
Falafel’s roots are hazy. They are thought to have originated in ancient Egypt as a meatless snack during fasting. Falafel was initially made with lava beans. However, in the Middle East, chickpeas quickly replaced lava beans as they crossed the border. Fresh salads and pita sandwiches, as well as tahini-based sauces, are every day in Mediterranean cuisine.
3. Shakshouka
Shakshouka starts with a ripe and rich base sauce made of juicy tomatoes, peppers, onions, and a good drizzle of olive oil. Spices are used in a lot of North African foods. The sauce is mainly made up of the tastes of paprika, nutmeg, cumin, and pepper.
On top of this stew that is bubbling, poached eggs are placed. Spices are used in large amounts to add to the flavor of these eggs. People have been eating tomato-based stews like these in the Middle East for hundreds of years. Especially in the Ottoman Empire, there were many different kinds of shakshuka. Most of the time, it’s served in an iron pan, like a tagine. So, the shakshuka stays warm while you eat it.
4. Mezze
Mezze means ‘taste’ in Persian. The term “mezze” refers to an assortment of appetizers and bite-sized foods that originate in various countries.
Turkish mezze has a lot of different kinds of tastes. This dish has pieces of melon, a pepper-walnut sauce, and fried squid. You might hear some words at a mezze dinner: tabbouleh, hummus, and baba ghanoush.
These are only a few of the various foods available. Mezze dishes in Greece and Cyprus that are particularly well-liked include fava beans and grilled cheese. Mezze can have either one of two roles depending on where it is consumed.
5. Couscous
Despite its simplicity, couscous has had a significant impact on Mediterranean cuisine and the rest of the globe. The art of cooking couscous is one that I find particularly fascinating. Couscous is made up of thousands of tiny semolina balls.
Semolina is a type of durum wheat flour that is not classified as flour. Couscous is made by spraying semolina with water and then rolling it into little balls by hand. Flour and a sieve are used to remove any remaining liquid. This ingredient can be found in salads, stews, and even desserts.
6. Ful Medames
Ful Medames is a traditional Egyptian dish that stretches back thousands of years. Ful Medames is essentially a fava bean stew. But this healthful staple is so much more than simply tasty fava beans.
Ful Medames come in a variety of tastes. The zest of lemon juice and the fire of jalapeño peppers are both used to kick the dish. Cumin, garlic, parsley, onion, and other vegetables are all included in the stew.
Egyptians adore this stew with various ingredients such as vegetable oil, hard-boiled eggs, and cured beef. Ful Medames is a great Mediterranean dish for breakfast or as a main entrée.
7. Salade Niçoise
Like many other dishes from the Mediterranean, this fresh and lively salad has a humble past. The classic salade Nicoise is made of tomato, anchovies, and olives. This dish has peppers and shallots, both common parts of tossed salads.
Then, a tuna spread or a hard-boiled egg is put on top, drizzled with olive oil, and heavily seasoned. Salade Nicoise is often called the perfect summer salad, and this is true.
8. Feta
Feta is a traditional dairy product commonly found in the Mediterranean region. It can be consumed in Greek salads, combined with zucchini, or even as a straightforward combination with bread. It is possible to make feta from the milk of sheep, goats, cows, or a variety of these three animals, depending on the country in which you live. Let me be the first to inform you that feta from the Mediterranean is always fresh, and it doesn’t matter what kind of animal it comes from.
9. Pizza Margherita
In honor of Queen Margherita of Savoy, a pizza with mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, and basil was made. The actual colors of the Italian flag were chosen to be white, red, and green.
Pizza is a delicacy prevalent throughout Italy. Those who have the opportunity to dine on a rustic, stone-baked pizza in Naples are in for a treat.
Margherita pizza contains several of the most recognizable Mediterranean flavors. This recipe has a healthful wheat-bread base, juicy vegetables, creamy cheese, and plenty of olive oil.
10. Spanakopita
Greek spinach pie with feta cheese, or spanakopita, is a traditional dish with layers of crisp phyllo sheets filled with spinach and feta cheese. Spanakopita is pronounced “spah-Nah-KO-pee-tah.” It can be made as a “pita” or pie and cut into squares or individual phyllo triangles.
11. Hummus
In connection with starters, hummus is yet another delicious and nutritious option for beginning a meal in the Mediterranean region. The dish known as hummus, which is prepared by blending chickpeas, sesame seeds, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic, is highly well-liked in this part of the world. The fact that fresh bread, fruits, and vegetables are typically served alongside Mediterranean hummus is one factor contributing to the dish’s exceptionality. That sweetness is unrivalled when it comes from being so fresh.
12. Dolmas
Dolmas are an essential member of the Mediterranean cuisine family. Stuffing veggies with concentrated ingredients has been a centuries-old technique. The interpretations of Dolmas throughout the East Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions vary considerably.
In Turkey, eggplant filled with ground lamb and substantial rice, seasoned with spices and drizzled with lemon juice.
This recipe involves peeled onions with ground beef, rice, abundant spices, and sour cream. Dolma is one of the most historically significant Mediterranean foods. It demonstrates how creative and inventive one can be with essential ingredients.
13. Ratatouille
Tomatoes, garlic, onions, zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, marjoram, fennel, and basil are the ingredients that make ratatouille, a type of vegetable dish that is stewed. Bringing the ratatouille from the movie Ratatouille to your table for meatless Monday! This veggie casserole is a great way to start the week with a comforting vegetarian meal that doesn’t have a lot of calories. It has layers of fresh vegetables in different colors and a garlicky tomato sauce.
14. Chicken Shawarma
You’ll feel like you’ve stepped onto a street in the Middle East after eating this chicken shawarma roasted in the oven. Quite a bit of flavor. The key is in the simple spice combination that may be made at home for shawarma. This recipe comes with in-depth instructions and a video that will walk you through every stage of preparing this mouthwatering chicken dish.
15. Tabouli
Tabouli is, without a doubt, the quintessential example of a traditional Mediterranean salad (or tabbouleh). Bulgur wheat, finely chopped vegetables, fresh parsley, and many bulgur wheat are mixed. Then some fresh lime juice and extra virgin olive oil are added. They are finding that adding cucumbers to my tabouli gives it an extra satisfying crunch.
16. Moussaka
Moussaka is one of the few Mediterranean dishes that can make a stomach feel better like nothing else. Ground lamb is mixed with sautéed eggplant and ripe tomatoes in the traditional recipe.
The French-trained chef Nikolaos Tselementes is credited with making moussaka one of Greece’s most known dishes. In most recipes, the bottom layer consists of stacked eggplant with an abundance of olive oil. The centre layer contains ground lamb and a variety of veggies and seasonings. The dish is finished with a layer of Béchamel, a white sauce.
17. Risotto
Risotto is a time-honored Italian meal made with rice and other nutritious ingredients. When served, this dish should not be runny or gluey but rather a soft, fluffy mound on serving platter.Many risotto varieties have been developed and honed throughout the years.
This simple risotto recipe uses butter, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley. This is a great recipe to follow for the first time making risotto. Risotto is a dish in which rice is cooked with other ingredients such as parmesan cheese, onions, wine, and butter in a broth.
18. Paella
Traditional paella is made of saffron-infused white rice, vegetables, chicken, and seafood cooked together in a single pan and presented at the table. Valencian paella is widely considered to be Spain’s national dish, although there are a number of alternative styles to choose from. Mixed or chicken paella are the most prevalent varieties of paella (a combination of seafood, meats, and vegetables).
19. Gozleme
Stuffed flatbreads can be created with various ingredients and are always a hit. With gozleme being a famous street cuisine, you’ll always find gozleme vendors at markets and restaurants. A glass of Turkish tea, cay, or our traditional yogurt drink is the perfect accompaniment to gozleme.
20. Mediterranean Quinoa
Either hummus or the Smokey red bell pepper sauce is used in this bowl. Red bell pepper, almonds, and a slew of other ingredients are blended to create the sauce. Your favorite vegetables can also be thrown in for extra flavor.
It’s hard to go wrong with this Quinoa Bowl with Mediterranean Flavors when you love the flavors of the Mediterranean.
