Looking to introduce more seafood dishes into your evening repertoire of family meals? This lovely recipe is easy, is ready in just over a half hour, and contains heart-healthy ingredients.
We served ours over polenta and it was delicious! Our pancetta weighed in at closer to 4 ounces, and we used it all. Are there meatless substitutions for pancetta? Yes, you can try marinated tofu, mushrooms, smoked paprika, olives (already in the dish), and parmesan cheese to substitute for pancetta.
2 oz. pancetta, cut into 1/4-inch dice (about 1/4 cup)
1 medium yellow onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves
1/8 to 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 15-oz. can diced fire-roasted tomatoes in juice
1 cup marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1/2 cup large pitted green olives, such as Castelvetrano, halved
Directions
Pat the cod dry and season with salt and pepper.
Heat the oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring, until crisp and golden, 2 to 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pancetta to a paper-towel-lined plate, leaving the fat behind in the pan.
Add the fish to the skillet and cook until slightly golden, about 3 minutes. Flip and transfer to a plate, seared side up. Add the onion, thyme, and pepper flakes to the skillet; cook, stirring, until the onion is soft, about 4 minutes.
Add the wine and cook until the pan is almost dry, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and their juice, artichokes, and olives. Simmer, stirring occasionally, to meld the flavors, about 2 minutes.
Lower the heat to medium and nestle the fish into the sauce, keeping the seared side exposed. Cover and cook until the fish is opaque and just cooked through, about 3 minutes.
Sprinkle with the pancetta, divide among rimmed plates or wide, shallow bowls, and serve.
Are you a shrimp fan? Then you’ll love this quick and easy shrimp recipe, prepared Mediterranean-style—so it is also healthy. Garlic shrimp cooked in a light white wine and olive oil sauce with red onion, bell peppers, tomatoes, and some tasty spices. What’s not to like?
The original recipe used only a half each of the red onion and yellow and green bell peppers, plus only a cup of the canned diced tomato. We used the full amount of each one which enlarged the serving size and pumped up the healthy nutrients. All changes are noted in the ingredients list below.
Another change we made was using our homemade shellfish stock in place of the chicken broth. Again, more flavor, plus it keeps the dish meatless. Serve over rice as we did, or select a pasta or another favorite favorite grain.
1 ¼ lb. large shrimp or prawns, peeled and deveined
1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 to 2 tsp. smoked Spanish paprika
½ tsp. each salt and pepper
½ tsp. ground coriander
¼ tsp. cayenne
¼ tsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. butter (ghee clarified butter is preferable)
3 Tbsp. Extra virgin olive oil
1 red onion, thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 green bell pepper and 1 yellow bell pepper, cored and sliced
1 14.5 oz. can diced tomato
⅓ cup shrimp or vegetable broth
2 Tbsp. dry white wine
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
⅓ cup chopped parsley leaves
Directions
Pat the shrimp dry and place it in a large bowl. Add the flour, smoked paprika, salt and pepper, coriander, cayenne, and sugar. Toss until the shrimp is well-coated.
In a large cast iron skillet, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium heat. Add the red onion and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring regularly, until fragrant (be sure not to burn the garlic.)
Add the bell peppers and cook another 4 minutes or so, tossing occasionally.
Now add the shrimp. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, then add the diced tomatoes, broth, white wine and lemon juice. Cook for a couple more minutes or until the shrimp turns bright orange.
Finally, stir in the chopped fresh parsley and serve.
This easy homemade vegetable soup is a textbook Mediterranean diet recipe and a delicious way to amp up your veggie intake. It’s loaded with zucchini, carrots, mushrooms, chickpeas and fresh herbs. It’s cozy, comforting, vegan and gluten-free, but trust me, meat eaters will love this vegetable soup as much as veggie lovers do. Take it from us!
This soup recipe is an amped up version of healthy vegetable soup with a host of nourishing ingredients like garlic, onions, whole tomatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, carrots, potatoes and chickpeas. Fresh herbs, lime juice, and a good dash of warm spices (turmeric, coriander, and paprika) give this soup a Mediterranean twist.
This soup recipe is similar to Italian minestrone soup, minus the pasta. Remember that virtually all vegetables will work in an everyday vegetable soup recipe like this one. Homemade vegetable soup is a great way to use up what veggies you have on hand, so feel free to substitute.
1 bunch flat leaf parsley, washed, dried, stems and leaves separated, then each chopped
1 medium-size yellow or red onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
2 carrots, peeled, chopped
2 medium zucchini, tops removed, sliced into rounds or half-moons or diced
2 golden potatoes, peeled, small diced
1 tsp. ground coriander
½ tsp. turmeric powder
½ tsp. sweet paprika
Salt and pepper
1 15-oz can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 28-oz. + 1 14-oz. can whole peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand in large bowl
2 bay leaves
½ tsp. dry thyme
6 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
Zest of 1 lime
Juice of 1 lime
⅓ cup toasted pine nuts, optional
Directions
Sauté Mushrooms: In a large pot heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high until shimmering but not smoking. Add the mushrooms and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring regularly. Remove from the pot and set aside for now.
Add fresh veggies and spices: Add more olive oil, if needed and heat. Add the chopped parsley stems, (save the leaves for later), onions, garlic, celery, carrots, zucchini and small diced potatoes. Stir in the spices, and season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 7 minutes, stirring regularly, until the vegetables have softened a bit.
Add the chickpeas and tomatoes: Now add the chickpeas, tomatoes, bay leaves, thyme, and broth. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes, then turn the heat down to medium-low. Cover partially and cook for 15 more minutes.
Return mushrooms to the pot: Uncover and add the sauteed mushrooms. Cook for just a few more minutes until mushrooms are warmed through.
Add finishing touches: Finally, stir in the parsley leaves, lime zest, and lime juice.
The finish: Remove from the heat. Remove bay leaves. Transfer the vegetable soup to serving bowls and top with toasted pine nuts, if you like. Add a side of your favorite crusty bread or pita along with extra lime wedges and crushed red pepper.
Citrusy roast chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy are my go-to comfort food, especially on a cool Sunday afternoon. The meal conjures up fond memories from my formative years growing up in Michigan. According to chef/author Suzy Karadsheh, this simple twist on roast chicken makes a dish that is at once crisp and succulent, with the perfect balance of savory, tangy, and warm flavors! Delicious and impressive with a modicum of work involved. You had me at “roast chicken.”
I say bring it on with crisp, tangy, and succulent citrus rosemary chicken, seasoned Mediterranean-style with garlic, rosemary, and oregano, and covered in a bold wine and orange marinade. It is preferable to use split chicken or chicken pieces of similar size for even cooking. We used a whole chicken split in half for this recipe, but you can also use chicken breast or thighs, and you may have to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
As wine pairings go, many people choose white wine to serve next to chicken dinners. But roast chicken is one of those rustic meals that pairs incredibly well with certain red wines, such as Pinot Noir. The beautiful red fruit notes in Pinot compliment the rosemary and citrus flavors in the chicken without overwhelming the palate. And the smooth, lengthy finish is just perfection! To elevate the flavor even more, Suzy also uses some of the wine in the chicken marinade.
The citrus marinade in this recipe is made of a combination of wine, orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, tomato paste for color and umami, and fresh garlic, onions, rosemary, and other Mediterranean spices. The key to great flavor here is to allow the chicken a good 1 to 2 hours in the marinade (refrigerated), and make sure to lift up the chicken skin to spoon some of the garlicky, citrus marinade underneath.
When the chicken was done, we plated it and the onions on a platter covered with foil. The remaining juices were added with a quart of homemade chicken stock to a pot; then thickened with a corn starch slurry when the liquids began to boil. To complete the meal, we made Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Orange-Butter Sauce and garlicky mashed potatoes with gravy.
Please note: Since the pan will go under the broiler at the end, make sure to use a broiler-proof pan such as enameled cast iron.
1 whole chicken (about 3 ½ lbs.), split in half through the backbone
Kosher salt
1 cup Pinot Noir
1 orange zested and juiced plus 1 sliced orange
1 lime juiced, plus 1 sliced lime
Extra virgin olive oil
3 Tbsp. tomato paste
1 ½ tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dried rosemary
1 tsp. sweet paprika
1 tsp. Aleppo pepper
7 to 8 garlic cloves minced
1 yellow onion halved and sliced
1 Tbsp. honey
Directions
Season the chicken with kosher salt on all sides, making sure to season underneath the skin as well. (You can do this one night ahead of time and keep the chicken in the fridge to air-chill uncovered).
Prepare the citrus marinade. In a large bowl, add the wine, orange juice and zest, lime juice, 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, tomato paste, spices, and a good dash of kosher salt. Add the garlic and onion. Whisk to combine.
Add the chicken and toss to coat, making sure to lift the skin up and spoon some of the marinade underneath (this will give you more flavor). Set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes. Alternatively, cover and refrigerate for an hour or two (for best results, take it out of the fridge and leave the chicken at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes before cooking).
Preheat the oven to 425° F and adjust a rack in the middle.
Transfer the chicken and the marinade to a braising pan. Roast for 30 minutes, then carefully turn the pan 180 degrees and roast for another 15 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender, with an internal temperature of the breast meat at 165°.
In a small bowl, mix together the honey with 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Carefully remove the chicken from the oven and brush the top with the honey and olive oil mixture.
Switch the oven to the broil function. Return the chicken back to the oven about 6 inches away from the broiler and cook briefly for 3 to 4 minutes, watching for the skin to turn a nice golden brown.
Remove from the heat. Move chicken and onions to platter. Garnish with slices of fresh orange, wedges of lime and fresh herbs. Allow chicken 10 minutes to rest before slicing and serving.
If desired, while the chicken rests, bring 1 quart of chicken stock and the pan juices to a boil, then add a cornstarch slurry to thicken the gravy.
Local tomatoes are king this time of year so we try to use them in a variety of ways almost everyday during the season. Here’s a simple summer tomato salad recipe that makes the most of—and uses up—some of the tomato bounty from your garden or local farm market.
America’s Test Kitchen (ATK) discovered that salting the tomatoes before mixing them into the salad brings out their juices, which make a great base for the dressing. Another discovery was there’s no need to peel homegrown tomatoes for a tomato salad recipe, because their skins are usually thin and unobtrusive.
The amounts of the ingredients are subjective to your own preferences. If you prefer tuna packed in oil, go ahead and use it; in fact, save the drained oil from the tuna and use it instead of, or with, the remaining olive oil. No blanching or cooking needed here!
The olives, red onions and capers are boldly flavored Mediterranean standbys, typically a healthy diet to follow. It’s a great option to bring on a picnic or to enjoy lunch at your community pool.
While we are on the subject of great tomato recipes, I have to give a shout out to the Heirloom Tomato Tart(shown above) that I blogged about 4 years ago. If you are also interested in that recipe just click on the link. The tomato salad recipe is below.
12 large black olives, such as Kalamata or other brine-cured variety, pitted and chopped
¼ cup red onion, chopped fine
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley leaves
Ground black pepper
1 6-oz. can solid white tuna in water, or oil-packed if preferred
Directions
Core and halve tomatoes, then cut each half into 1/2″ thick wedges. Toss wedges with salt in large bowl; let rest until small pool of liquid accumulates, 15 to 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk oil, lemon juice, capers, olives, onion, parsley, and pepper to taste in small bowl. Pour mixture over tomatoes and accumulated liquid; toss to coat. Set aside to blend flavors, about 5 minutes.
Crumble tuna over tomatoes; toss to combine. Adjust seasonings and serve immediately.
This one-pan dinner is ready in no time, and you’ll love the bold Greek vibes in this dish. A perfect weeknight meal, this easy, “fancy” salmon recipe with vegetables and feta is brimming with healthy ingredients and enlivened Mediterranean flavors.
A couple of suggestions so that your salmon won’t dry out. Bring the fish closer to room temperature before baking. About 15 minutes before you start cooking, set the salmon on the counter to get it as close to room temperature as possible. Allowing the salmon fillets to return to room temperature helps them cook more evenly.
And, cover with foil to bake. Covering the pan with foil will trap the moisture and help cook the fish so that it is perfectly tender, moist, and flaky. Here, you’ll also par-cook the vegetables briefly before adding the salmon in.
The original recipe indicated to first cook the vegetables for 5-10 minutes before adding the salmon. We did not feel they were ready at that point and cooked them an additional 5 minutes, totaling 15 altogether. Since our fish was one slab, we let it sit out for 30 minutes to come to room temperature. Plus, due to the size and thickness, it took double the time at 20 minutes to cook to medium, 130°F after adding it atop the vegetables, covered with foil.
So we had to bide our time a little longer, but it was sooo worth the wait!
1 bell pepper, any color, cored and sliced into thin sticks
5 oz. cremini mushrooms, trimmed and halved
4 to 5 large garlic cloves, peeled
5 to 6 oz. feta cheese block, cut into large chunks
6 to 7 sprigs of fresh thyme
Kosher salt and black pepper
Extra virgin olive oil
4 6-oz. portions salmon fillet
1 to 2 large lemons, halved, for serving
Directions
Heat the oven to 425°F and arrange a rack in the middle.
In a small bowl, combine the oregano, sumac, and cumin.
In a baking dish or sheet-pan, arrange the tomatoes, mushrooms, bell peppers, and 4 to 5 whole garlic cloves. Nestle the chunks of feta in between. Sprinkle with 1 ½ teaspoons of the spice mixture and a good pinch of kosher salt and black pepper. Add a few sprigs of fresh thyme. Drizzle with 1 to 2 tablespoon olive oil.
Place the sheet pan in the heated oven on the center rack. Bake for 15 minutes until the veggies start to soften.
Meanwhile, pat the fish dry and season on both sides with kosher salt and black pepper and the remainder of the spice mixture.
Carefully remove the sheet pan/baking dish from the oven and add the fish in with the veggies and feta.
Cover the sheet pan/baking dish with foil and return to the center rack of the heated oven. Cook for about 10 minutes or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily. (As one thick slab, ours took 20 minutes to reach the preferred 130°F.)
Remove from the oven and immediately squeeze lemon juice onto the fish.
Does a Mediterranean diet appeal to you? Then these two recipes might be worth a try. The first from Cook’s Country, Orzo with Shrimp, Feta and Lemon dish will grab your attention. Cooking the orzo pilaf-style gives it extra flavor and allows you to control the slightly creamy consistency.
To keep this meatless, use seafood/shellfish stock as opposed to chicken broth. Also, if the broth you use is on the bland side, use 4 cups of the stock and omit the water. If, like our homemade shellfish stock, it is intense, dilute it with two cups of water.
Adjust the amounts of olives and feta to suit your own preferences. One version of the recipe indicated only a half cup of Kalamatas and only 2 ounces of feta, while the list below indicates double of each.
Because we cooked our meal in a 10-inch-wide nonstick pan, the shrimp took an extra two minutes to become opaque. Keep that in mind if using less than a 12-inch skillet.
1 ½ lbs. extra-large shrimp (21 to 25 per pound), peeled and deveined
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
1 onion, chopped fine
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups orzo
2 cups seafood (or chicken) broth
2 cups water
1 cup pitted Kalamata olives, chopped coarse
4 oz. feta cheese, crumbled (1 cup)
Fresh parsley, for garnish
Directions
Mix lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper together. Pat shrimp dry with paper towels and toss with lemon-salt mixture to coat; set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes.
Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Stir in orzo and cook, stirring frequently, until orzo is coated with oil and lightly browned, about 4 minutes.
Add broth and water, bring to boil, and cook, uncovered, until orzo is al dente, about 6 minutes.
Stir in olives, 1/2 cup feta, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Reduce heat to medium-low, nestle shrimp into orzo, cover, and cook until shrimp are pink and cooked through, about 5 minutes.
Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup feta over top and drizzle with extra oil. Serve.
The second recipe, Baked Shrimp and Orzo with Feta and Tomatoes, is another Mediterranean-inspired shrimp dish similar to the Orzo with Shrimp, Feta and Lemon above, however this version gets started on the cooktop and then baked in the oven. It only calls for 1 pound of shrimp but we had 1 1⁄2 pounds and decided to use it all. The 12-inch skillet was brimming full. Our other change was incorporating homemade shellfish stock for the chicken broth.
To build in plenty of Mediterranean flavor, start by sautéing chopped onion and red bell pepper, to soften them before adding in minced garlic and oregano. To guarantee perfectly cooked shrimp and pasta, sauté the orzo in the aromatics to unlock its toasty notes. The crumbled saffron threads, though not traditional, introduce a sunny hue and warm, complex flavor.
Chicken (or shellfish) broth and the drained juice from a can of diced tomatoes are then stirred in; as the orzo cooks to al dente, its releases starch (similar to a risotto) creating a sauce with a subtly creamy texture. To prevent the shrimp from overcooking, stir them right into the orzo, along with the reserved tomatoes and frozen peas, and transfer the skillet to the oven to cook through gently. A sprinkling of feta before baking reinforces the dish’s Greek flavors and promises an appealing browned, cheesy crust.
Make sure that the orzo is al dente, or slightly firm to the bite; otherwise it may overcook in the oven. If using smaller or larger shrimp, the cooking times may vary accordingly. You can leave the shrimp tails on, if desired. The small amount of saffron makes a big difference to the flavor and look of the dish, so be sure to include it. You will need a 12-inch oven-safe nonstick skillet for this recipe.
1 lb. extra-large shrimp (21 to 25 per pound), peeled, deveined, and tails removed
Salt and pepper
1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 red onion, chopped fine
1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and cut into ½-inch pieces
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp. minced fresh oregano or ½ teaspoon dried
2 cups (12 oz.) orzo
Pinch saffron threads, crumbled
3 cups chicken or shellfish broth
1 (14.5-oz.) can diced tomatoes, drained with juice reserved
½ cup frozen peas
3 oz. feta cheese, crumbled (¾ cup)
2 scallions, sliced thin
Lemon wedges
Directions
Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Pat shrimp dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper; cover and refrigerate until needed.
Heat oil in 12-inch oven-safe nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion and bell pepper and cook until vegetables are softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in garlic and oregano and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in orzo and saffron and cook, stirring often, until orzo is lightly browned, about 4 minutes.
Stir in broth and reserved tomato juice, bring to simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until orzo is al dente, 10 to 12 minutes.
Stir in shrimp, tomatoes, and peas, then sprinkle feta evenly over top. Transfer skillet to oven and bake until shrimp are cooked through and feta is lightly browned, about 20 minutes.
Remove skillet from oven (skillet handle will be hot). Sprinkle scallions over top and serve with lemon wedges.
This bright, bold, hearty bulgur dish radiates hues of golden saffron. Turkey sausage lends deep savor and dinnertime heft to the floral bulgur, and is given the golden treatment with a saffron-infused pomegranate vinaigrette.
And if that isn’t enough, efflorescent caramelized fennel deepens the savory notes, and dried apricots add contrasting texture and pleasant sweetness. Topping it all is Manchego cheese which provides divergent sharpness and saltiness. I errantly shredded the cheese instead of shaving it, but the flavor was still the same.
1 1⁄2 cups medium-grind bulgur (do not use cracked wheat)
1⁄4 tsp. table salt, divided, plus more for cooking the bulgur
3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 lb. Italian Turkey sausage
2 fennel bulbs, 1⁄4 cup fronds, minced, stalks discarded, bulbs halved, cored and sliced 1⁄4 inch thick
1⁄2 cup dried apricots, chopped
1⁄2 tsp. pepper, divided
1⁄4 tsp. saffron threads, crumbled
2 Tbsp. pomegranate molasses
1 tsp. grated lemon zest
2 oz. Manchego cheese, shaved
Directions
Bring 4 quarts water to a boil in a large pot. Stir in bulgur and 1 teaspoon salt and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add sausage and cook until browned on all sides and registers 160°, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board, cover with foil and let rest. Slice sausage 1/2-inch thick on the diagonal just before serving.
Pour off all but 2 teaspoons fat from skillet (or add oil to equal 2 teaspoons). Add sliced fennel, apricots, 1⁄2 cup water, 1⁄8 teaspoon salt, and 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper, cover, and cook over medium heat for 1 minute.
Uncover and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until fennel is spotty brown, 2 to 4 minutes; set aside until ready to serve. (This step took 8 minutes for the fennel to start browning.)
Combine saffron with 2 teaspoons water in a large bowl and let sit for 5 minutes. Whisk in remaining 2 tablespoons oil, 1⁄8 teaspoon salt, 114 teaspoon pepper, pomegranate molasses and lemon zest, then stir in bulgur to coat.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Divide among individual bowls, then top with fennel mixture and sausage slices. Sprinkle with fennel fronds and Manchego cheese shavings. Serve.
In just over an hours time, you can enjoy this lovely, nutrient-packed Mediterranean soup. We substituted 8 ounces of cod for a half pound of the shrimp, giving us a trio of seafood. Typically, we would use our own homemade shellfish stock, but since we were plum out, we incorporated a mix of bottled clam juice and boxed seafood broth.
First, you’ll give the scallops a quick sear in a hot pan. Next, you’ll sear your shrimp in the same pan for about 2 minutes, you want to see some pink but don’t worry about fully cooking it yet. Remember, you will be adding the seafood to the hot soup later, so don’t overcook the shrimp. In addition to the aromatics and fresh herbs, fresh lemon juice is the perfect finishing touch.
The original recipe indicated that it would take 35 minutes from prep through to finished soup. Unless you are a samurai chef, it’s not possible. It took me at least 35 minutes just to do the prep alone. Plus, more time was needed for the liquid to return to a boil in a couple of instances. So plan on a minimum of about 70 minutes.
We served ours with toasted garlic bread nuggets and a side salad.
1 lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined, cut in 3 pieces each
8 oz. cod, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 green bell pepper, cored, chopped
1 red or yellow bell pepper, cored, chopped
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
6 garlic cloves, peeled, minced
3 Tbsp. tomato paste
1 Tbsp. dried oregano, divided
3 8-oz. bottles clam juice
1 qt. seafood broth
2 15-oz cans diced tomato
1 cup orzo pasta
6 oz. baby spinach
1 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 cup chopped fresh dill, stems removed
1 lemon, juice of
Crushed red pepper flakes, optional
Directions
If using scallops, pat them dry and season with salt and pepper.
In a cast iron skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Gently add the sea scallops. Sear for about 1 ½ minutes on each side. Scallops should form a golden brown crust. Sprinkle a large pinch of dried oregano. Quarter each scallop and transfer to a dish and set aside for now.
To the same cast iron skillet, add a little more extra virgin olive oil if needed. Again heat over medium-high until shimmering but not smoking. Add the shrimp; sear for about 2 minutes on both sides. You want to see some pink, but don’t worry about fully cooking it (you will finish cooking it in the soup.) Remove from the heat and sprinkle a generous pinch of dried oregano.
In a medium heavy cooking pot, heat 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil on medium-high. Add the chopped peppers, onions, garlic, tomato paste, salt and the remaining dried oregano. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the seafood broth and clam juice and bring to a boil. Add the diced tomatoes. Cook on medium-high for 3-5 more minutes.
When the liquid returns to a boil, add the orzo pasta. Turn heat down to medium and cook for 8 minutes until orzo is tender. Add the cod about 4 minutes after you stir in the orzo.
Stir in the baby spinach, parsley, dill, and lemon juice.
Finally, stir in the scallops and shrimp to warm through (about 1 to 2 minutes.) Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking. Add crushed red pepper flakes for some heat, if you like. Serve with your favorite crusty bread.
While we know salmon isn’t a Mediterranean fish, this recipe riff from “Patricia Wells at Home in Provence,” uses high-impact Provençal ingredients which are an ideal match for the rich, meaty fillets. Here, steamed fish sits atop a bed of sliced fennel to add sweet, licorice-like perfume; after cooking, the tender-crisp slices make a delicious accompaniment.
The sharp flavors of the warm olive, caper and lemon vinaigrette complement both fish and fennel. Cook the salmon to medium doneness—that is, until only the center is translucent. For well-done fillets, steam the fish for a couple minutes longer than indicated.
If you prefer white fish over salmon, thick fillets of striped bass or sea bass work well, but increase the steaming time to about 10 minutes. No matter the type of fish you choose, try to select fillets of equal thickness so they cook at the same rate.
Don’t uncover the pot while the fish is steaming, as loss of steam will slow the cooking. Instead, simply set a timer (or tell Alexa to remind you 😉 ). Note to the wise: When opening the pot, angle the lid away from you to avoid a burst of steam to the face.
We chose broccoli rabe as the other side dish. By par-boiling it first, much of the bitterness is eradicated. Once chilled in an ice bath and drained, any extra moisture is wrung out in a clean dish towel. A little garlic, olive oil and red pepper flakes give it a boost of flavor when reheated in a pan.
Fennel-Steamed Salmon with Warm Olive and Caper Vinaigrette
2 small fennel bulbs (about 1 lb. total), halved, cored and thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
1 tsp. grated lemon zest, plus ¼ cup lemon juice
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
4 6-oz. salmon fillets, each about 1 inch thick
6 sprigs dill, plus 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill
1 cup pimento-stuffed green olives, roughly chopped
¼ cup drained capers
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
¼ tsp. red pepper flakes
Directions
In a medium bowl, toss the fennel with the lemon zest and ¼ teaspoon each salt and black pepper; set aside. Season the salmon all over with salt and pepper.
Place a folding steamer basket in a large Dutch oven. Add enough water to fill the bottom of the pot without submerging the basket. Remove the basket. Cover the pot and bring to a simmer over medium-high.
Line the basket with the fennel. Place the salmon skin down on the fennel, then lay the dill sprigs on the fillets. Turn off the heat under the pot, then set the basket in it. Cover and return to a simmer over medium. Steam until the thickest parts of the fillets reach 115°F to 120°F (for medium doneness), 7 to 9 minutes; the fennel should be tender but not completely soft.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium, combine the olives, capers, oil and pepper flakes. Cook, stirring, just until sizzling gently, about 2 minutes.
Add the lemon juice and cook, stirring, just until warm, another 1 to 2 minutes. Cover and set aside.
When the salmon is done, remove and discard the dill sprigs. Using a metal spatula, transfer the fennel and fillets, skin down, to a serving platter. Sprinkle with the chopped dill, then spoon on the warm sauce.
Roast chicken with citrus and herbs? It has my name written all over it! As far back as I can remember, Sunday supper with Mom’s Orange Juice Chicken was a meal I looked forward to all week—and I was one picky eater back then.
Crisp, tangy, and succulent citrus rosemary chicken, seasoned Mediterranean-style with garlic, rosemary, and oregano, and covered in a bold wine and orange marinade. I mean, what’s not to like? This simple twist on roast chicken makes a dish with the perfect balance of savory, tangy, and warm flavors! Delicious and impressive with little work involved. Who’s not with me now?
The citrus marinade in this recipe is made of a combination of wine, orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, tomato paste for color and umami, and fresh garlic, onions, rosemary, and other Mediterranean spices.
We served ours with a Near East rice pilaf dish and a side salad.
According to chef Suzy Karadsheh of The Mediterranean Dish food blog, “The key to great flavor here is to allow the chicken a good 1 to 2 hours in the marinade (refrigerated), and make sure to lift up the chicken skin to spoon some of the garlicky, citrus marinade underneath. If you only have a few minutes, leave the chicken to marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes or so.”
Now you can use a whole chicken and cut it up saving the neck, back and wingtips for homemade stock—which is our typical rodeo—however, this time we purchased precut bone-in, skin-on breasts and thighs. They were well-salted inside and outside the skin, left uncovered in the refrigerator overnight, and marinated for 2 hours prior to cooking.
Once the chicken is out of the oven, allow it 10 minutes to rest before slicing and serving. Then get ready to be amazed! This dish definitely evokes warm, childhood memories, but at a more advanced level, and with more depth of flavor.
1 whole chicken, split in half through the backbone; or pre-cut parts (about 3 ½ pounds)
Kosher salt
1 cup Pinot Noir
1 orange zested and juiced plus 1 sliced orange
1 lime juiced, plus 1 sliced lime
Extra virgin olive oil
3 Tbsp. tomato paste
1 ½ tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dried rosemary
1 tsp. sweet paprika
1 tsp. Aleppo pepper
7 to 8 garlic cloves minced
1 yellow onion halved and sliced
1 Tbsp. honey
Salt chicken inside skin and all around
Refrigerate uncovered overnight
Prepare citrus marinade
Add chicken to mix and marinate for 2 hours
Let chicken sit at room temp in braising pan for 30 min
Directions
Season the chicken with kosher salt on all sides, making sure to season underneath the skin as well. (You can do this one night ahead of time and keep the chicken in the fridge to air-chill uncovered.)
Prepare the citrus marinade. In a large bowl, add the wine, orange juice and zest, lime juice, 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, tomato paste, spices, and a good dash of kosher salt. Add the garlic and onion. Whisk to combine.
Add the chicken and toss to coat, making sure to lift the skin up and spoon some of the marinade underneath (this will give you more flavor). Set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes. Alternatively, cover and refrigerate for an hour or two. (For best results, take it out of the fridge and leave the chicken at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes before cooking.)
Preheat the oven to 425°F and adjust a rack in the middle.
Transfer the chicken and the marinade to a braising pan. Roast uncovered for 30 minutes, then carefully turn the pan 180 degrees and roast for another 15 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender (juices should run clear).
In a small bowl, mix together the honey with 1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil. Carefully remove the chicken from the oven and brush the top with the honey and olive oil mixture.
Switch the oven to the broil function. Return the chicken back to the oven about 6 inches away from the broiler and cook briefly for 3 to 4 minutes, watching for the skin to turn a nice golden brown.
Remove from the heat and finish with lime juice. Add slices of fresh orange and wedges of lime.
Lamb and Veggie Kebabs with an adventurous marinade consisting of onions, garlic, and trio of warm spices give the skewers a bold Middle Eastern flavor that is bound to grab your attention.
When marinating lamb, no need to be shy with flavors that will compliment its rich and assertive flavor. But it is equally important to use a marinade that will also help tenderize the meat while imparting character. This is especially true if you are using lamb shoulder or boneless leg of lamb as opposed to lamb loin fillet, which is more tender.
To make the marinade, combine onion, garlic, spices, fresh parsley, olive oil and lemon juice and zest in a food processor. Blitz until everything is well-incorporated and you have a thick onion mixture.
Because the veggies and meat require varying cooking times, I divide them into 3 categories—and 3 ziploc bags. First the meat cubes, then the tomatoes and mushroom caps, and finally the red onion and bell pepper pieces which take the longest to cook. Refrigerate all three bags for up to 2 hours. As the grill heats, thread metal skewers with the bag contents.
We served our skewers over a bed of tri-colored couscous, but if your counting carbs, gluten-free, or following a keto-friendly diet, you may want to skip it. Add lemon wedges for serving.
recipe title=”Mediterranean Lamb and Veggie Skewers” servings=”4-6″ time=”40 min + marinating time” difficulty=”easy”]
Ingredients
2 lbs. boneless leg of lamb
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 lb. cherry (cocktail) tomatoes
8 oz. cremini mushrooms, stems trimmed
1 yellow, 1 orange bell pepper, cut into 8 chucks each
1 red onion, peeled and cut into 8 wedges, root intact
Lemon wedges, for serving
For the Marinade
2 medium yellow onion, peeled and cut into large chunks
10 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
2 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cardamom
1 cup packed fresh parsley leaves
2⁄3 cup extra virgin olive oil
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
Directions
Cut the lamb into 1 to 1 ½ -inch cubes or pieces and put them in a large ziploc. Season with kosher salt and black pepper.
In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade, combine the onion, garlic, spices, parsley, olive oil and lemon juice and zest. Cover and run the processor until everything is finely chopped (you should end up with a thick onion marinade).
Divide the mixture into three equal portions and pour the first over the lamb and mix well to make sure all the lamb is well coated with the marinade. Repeat with the other two bags of veggies.
Cover and refrigerate all 3 bags for up to 2 hours. (If you do not have time, leave the kebabs to marinate at room temperature for about 30 minutes).
Brush the grates of a gas grill (or an indoor griddle) with oil and heat.
Shake excess marinade off and thread the lamb pieces on some long metal skewers, allowing a little room between pieces. (Flat metal skewers are best, but wooden skewers soaked in water will also work).
Repeat with the tomatoes and mushroom caps, and then the bell pepper and onion pieces.
Assemble the bell pepper/onion skewers on the hot grill first. After 10 minutes, add the tomato skewers. Turn all skewers every few minutes as they begin to char.
After five minutes more, add the lamb kebabs. Grill over high heat, turning each kabob one-quarter turn every couple minutes, until the meat is browned all over, anywhere from 5 to 7 minutes, depending on how well you like your lamb cooked (5 minutes on our grill produced medium-rare kebabs).
Remove all skewers at the same time. Slide all contents onto a large platter and pass around to each dinner guest. Plate with couscous, if using, and lemon wedges.
Another one-pan wonder, and who doesn’t like that for ease of clean-up and prep? It works as well for company as it does for a weeknight dinner. According to ATK’s “Complete Mediterranean Cookbook”, cooking the tenderloins until buttery-smooth is key, and roasting them atop a bed of vegetables buffers the heat to ensure juicy meat all the way through, which is rubbed with herbes de Provence, salt, and pepper.
The Mediterranean seasoning inspired the selection of vegetables: sweet, delicately flavored fennel, earthy artichoke hearts (frozen, to keep things easy), and briny olives (which I doubled the quantity). After softening the fennel in the microwave, it was tossed with the other vegetables and olive oil, and the mixture was spread into the roasting pan (or rimmed baking sheet), placing the tenderloins on top.
The vegetables are nearly cooked when the pork is done, so remove the meat to a moated cutting board and tent with foil. To the cooked veggies, add in juicy halved cherry tomatoes and lemon zest, and let them finish in the oven. After 10 minutes, the fennel should be tender, the tomatoes softened and releasing their juices.
NOTE: If using frozen artichoke hearts, be sure to thoroughly thaw and pat them dry; otherwise their moisture will inhibit the browning of the roasted vegetables.
Spice-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Fennel, Tomatoes, Artichokes, and Olives
2 large fennel bulbs, stalks discarded, bulbs halved, cored, and cut into ½-inch-thick strips
12 oz. frozen artichoke hearts, thawed and patted dry
½ cup pitted kalamata olives, halved
3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
18 oz. cherry tomatoes, halved
1 Tbsp. grated lemon zest
2 Tbsp. minced fresh parsley
Season with salt, pepper and herbs de Provence
After microwaving the fennel, drain well
Toss, fennel, artichoke hearts and olives with olive oil
Place seasoned pork on top and tuck under their thin tails
Halfway through, turn the meat over
Add tomatoes and lemon zest and cook another 10 minutes
Directions
Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Pat pork dry with paper towels and season with herbes de Provence, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
Combine fennel and 2 tablespoons water in bowl, cover, and microwave until softened, about 5 minutes; drain well. Toss drained fennel, artichokes, olives, and oil together in bowl and season with salt and pepper.
Spread vegetables into 16 by 12-inch roasting pan and lay pork on top, tucking under the thin part of the tail. Roast until pork registers 140 to 145 degrees, 25 to 30 minutes, turning tenderloins over halfway through roasting.
Remove pan from oven. Transfer pork to cutting board, tent loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, stir cherry tomatoes and lemon zest into vegetables and continue to roast until fennel is tender and tomatoes have softened, about 10 minutes.
Remove pan from oven. Stir parsley into roasted vegetables. Slice pork into ½-inch-thick slices, and arrange vegetables and sliced pork on a platter, pouring any accumulated meat juices back over the plated pork and vegetables.
WOWSER, these were so friggin’ good! While the original Milk Street recipe broiled the skewers, we decided to grill them for a more enhanced char. The skewers are then finished with the juice of charred lemon halves that have been drizzled with honey, along with a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Cilantro, flat-leaf parsley or mint are good choices, alone or, as we did, in combination.
As a perfect accompaniment we also grilled vegetables tossed in EVOO, salt and pepper. Some skewers were laced with red and green bell pepper along with onion wedges; while others consisted of cherry tomatoes and mushroom caps. We purposely arranged them separately because the onion and pepper pieces took longer to cook. And if you’re not restricting carbs or gluten, tricolored couscous can round out the meal nicely.
Some reviewers commented that they used pomegranate molasses as a finishing drizzle with the herbs because it’s not as sweet as honey but still adds another interesting texture and taste. I think that’s worth a try!
Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon, plus 2 lemons, halved
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp. honey, plus extra to drizzle
1 Tbsp. finely grated fresh ginger
1 Tbsp. ground cumin
1 Tbsp. ground coriander
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
1½ lbs. halved boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Chopped fresh herbs
Directions
Preheat the grill for direct high heat.
In a medium bowl, mix the lemon zest and juice, oil, honey, ginger, spices, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper; set aside 2 tablespoons.
Toss the chicken with the remaining mixture. Scrunch the chicken onto metal skewers, then place on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Add the 4 lemon halves.
Oil the grates and grill chicken and lemon halves until charred, about 12 minutes, flipping the chicken skewers halfway through.
Spoon the reserved lemon-oil mixture over the chicken. Sprinkle with herbs.
Drizzle the lemon halves with honey and serve alongside for squeezing over the chicken.
If you’re looking for an easy pear dessert that lets the fruit shine, look no further. The Hubs came across this lovely recipe in his new acquisition by Cook’s Illustrated (CI) “The Compete Mediterranean Cookbook.” Poached pears are a classic French dessert, and yet simple enough to make at home.
Because our bosc pears were a bit too firm yet, the simmering process took longer to render them tender enough. We also lengthened the sauce reduction time to get the syrup to the correct consistency. Making them the day before our dinner party gave the pears ample time to refrigerate overnight.
They can be served as is, or with crème fraîche… perhaps even a shortbread cookie on the side…
NOTES from CI: For the best texture, try to buy pears that are neither fully ripe nor rock hard; choose those that yield just slightly when pressed. Use a vegetable peeler to peel strips of lemon zest, but take care to avoid the bitter pith beneath the skin. For the white wine, a medium-bodied dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay is recommended.
1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise, seed scraped out and reserved
½ cinnamon stick
⅛ tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. juice from 1 lemon
6 ripe but firm pears (about 8 oz. each), preferably Bosc or Bartlett
Crème fraîche, for garnish, optional
Directions
Bring the wine, sugar, lemon zest, mint, thyme, vanilla seeds and pod, cinnamon, and salt to a simmer in a large saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves completely, about 5 minutes; cover and set aside until needed.
Meanwhile, fill a large bowl with water and add the lemon juice. Peel, halve, and core the pears following the illustrations in the related quick tips, adding them to the lemon water to prevent browning.
Drain the pears, discarding the lemon water, and add to the wine mixture. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until pears are tender and a toothpick or skewer can be inserted into pear with very little resistance, 10 to 20 minutes, gently turning the pears over every 5 or so minutes.
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fruit to a shallow casserole dish. Return the syrup to medium heat and simmer until it is slightly thickened and measures 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups, about 15 minutes. Strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer, then pour over the pears, discarding the strained solids. Refrigerate the pears until well chilled, at least 2 hours or up to 3 days.
To serve, spoon portions of fruit and syrup into individual bowls or on plates. Drizzle crème fraîche over the tops, if desired.
Accounting for Taste 