6 Mediterranean Recipes You Want To Try

Mediterranean recipes are praised for their healthy ingredients and increased overall longevity.  This cuisine comes from European, North African, and Middle Eastern countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.  Widely popular for the use of lean proteins, unprocessed grains, seeds, nuts, olive oil, and fresh fruit and vegetables.

Spoil yourself or impress your friends with these Mediterranean recipes and get your summer vibe on!

1. Shakshuka

Make this Mediterranean recipe the next time you host brunch with your friends and family.  This one skillet meal is also enjoyed as breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  This North African dish consists of eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce. Serve with a pile of pita or challah on the side.  Steering away from the traditional recipe, add feta for an even more powerful burst of flavor.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 white onion, minced

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 jalapeno, minced

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon paprika,

30 ounces canned diced tomatoes

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

6 large eggs

3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

(Feta cheese crumbles, if desired)

Method

Heat olive oil in an oven-safe heavy skillet over medium-high heat

Add in onion, bell pepper, and jalapeno

Sautee 5 – 7 minutes or until onions are translucent

Add in garlic, cumin, and paprika

Wait one minute for flavors to disperse

Stir in died tomatoes, salt, and black pepper and bring to a simmer

Reduce heat to low and continue to simmer for 15 minutes

While you wait, preheat oven to 375 degrees

Create 6 little “nests” in the tomato mixture to hold the eggs

Crack eggs directly into prepared “nests”

Transfer skillet into oven and cook 8 – 10 minutes until egg whites are set

Sprinkle with fresh cilantro before serving

2. Lebanese Hummus

This Mediterranean recipe can be enjoyed in many ways.  Use it as a spread or a dip for pita chips, pretzels, veggies, and even fruit.  This is a healthy favorite for parties and a quick snack.  The presentation of this recipe is impressive and will have everyone coming back for more!

Ingredients

2 (15 ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1/4 cup tahini paste

1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoon cold water

Pine nuts for garnish (optional)

Method

Blend garlic in a food processor

Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until desired consistency

Blend with cold water for a smoother consistency

Garnish with extra paprika, chickpeas, and pine nuts for presentation if desired

3. Chickpea & Spinach Salad With Avocado

Packed with protein and antioxidants, this Mediterranean recipe is satisfying without the bloat.  Perfect for summer, this light and nutritious meal will keep you cool and give you energy.

Ingredients

1 pound boiled or canned chickpeas

3 tomatoes, chopped

1 red bell pepper, sliced

1 avocado, sliced

1 onion, sliced

1 cup mushrooms, sliced

1 pound fresh spinach

1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped

Salt & pepper to taste

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Balsamic vinegar

Method

Place chickpeas, tomatoes, avocado, onion, mushrooms, spinach, red pepper, cilantro, salt, and pepper in a large bowl

Add olive oil and balsamic vinegar to taste

Mix well and serve!

4. Mediterranean Chicken Stew With Cinnamon Couscous

This Mediterranean recipe is easy to make and jam-packed with flavor.  Grab a rotisserie chicken from your local grocery store, peel off the meat and you are good to go!

Ingredients For The Stew

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

2 tablespoons dried oregano

1 (28 ounce) can tomatoes in puree

1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 cup chicken broth

2 bay leaves

Pepper to taste

1 rotisserie chicken, cut into bite sized pieces with skin removed

1/2 cup pitted lkalamate pitted olives, coarsely chopped

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Ingredients For Cinnamon Couscous

2 cups chicken broth

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 (10 ounce) box plain, quick-cooking couscous

1/3 cup raisins

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

2 tablespoons orange juice

Method For Stew

Heat olive oil in a heavy pot or dutch oven over medium heat

Add onion and cook 5-8 minutes

Add garlic and oregano

Cook one minute while stirring

Pour in crushed tomatoes, chickpeas, chicken broth, bay leaves, and pepper

Boil for 5 minutes

Add chicken

Lower heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes

Method For Couscous

Heat chicken broth, oil, and salt until boiling

Add couscous and raisins, stir

Remove from heat and cover

Let sit for 5 minutes

Fluff couscous with fork

Add cinnamon and orange juice

Mix with fork until combined

5. Garlic Basil Shrimp Farrotto

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As delicious as it is comforting, this Mediterranean recipe will become a weekday favorite.  It is quick and easy to make, no need to order pizza.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 cup basil

4 cloves garlic

1/2 small onion

3 cups chicken broth

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 cups farro

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 cup dry white wine

Method

Place the faro in a large sauce pan and cover with 2 inches of water over medium heat to simmer until tender, 20 – 30 minutes.

Drain and set aside

In the same pan, heat oil and addd onion and sautee until translucent, 3 – 5 minutes

Add garlic and sautee for another minute

Stir in the faro with salt and pepper

Add wine and stir about 1 minute

Add broth 1 ladleful at a time, stirring until evaporated ( 8 – 10 minutes)

Season shrimp with salt and pepper and add to pan

Cook 2 – 3 minutes

Add more broth if needed

Remove from heat and add basil, butter, and lemon juice

Serve!

6. Skillet Braised Cod With Asparagus & Potatoes

Everyone will think it is a special occasion when you serve this beautiful and nourishing Mediterranean recipe.  It is easy to pull together, yet appears you have been concocting this meal all day.

Ingredients

1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

4 ( 3/4 inch thick) skinless cod filets

3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon capers

Finely grated zest of 1/2 lemon

1/2 cup dry white wine

2 cups water

12 ounces small purple potatoes, halved ( ohhh fancy!)

salt and pepper

1 pound asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces

1/4 cup torn basil leaves

Method

Heat oil in a deep skillet over medium high heat

Generously season cod with salt and pepper, sear 1 minute each side

Transfer to plate and set aside

Add garlic, capers, and lemon zest to pan and cook 1 minute

Add wine and deglaze pan

Add water, potatoes, lemon juice, salt, pepper and bring to a boil

Reduce heat to simmer for about 10 – 12 minutes

Stir in asparagus and cook 2 minutes to 3 minutes

Divide fish fillets between bowls, spoon potatoes and asparagus over fish

Stir basil into broth in the pan and stir

Pour over fish and serve

Let us know which one is your favorite in the comments below!

Featured image: Pinterest