[Food] Mediterranean diet

The Clamp · Apr 15, 2024

I am not a foody at all. No real interest in cooking. I wish I had but hey ho.

Anyway. I have always enjoyed Mediterranean food, mostly. I don’t like rich tomato sauces.

And now in a bid to be healthy and enjoy longevity I am embarking on a mostly Mediterranean diet.

I have purchased some recipe books and some staple ingredients for the pantry.

But does anyone have any favourite recipes, tips or brands they can recommend or pass on?

I’d be most grateful.

Please and thank you.

TC

Flounce · Apr 15, 2024

To get the best out of it I think you have to live further south where the right vegetables and fruit for this diet taste about 10 times better than what you can get here :smile:

Sorry that’s not much help is it? I am also a useless cook but bloody love Mediterranean food

It also helps to have nice sunny weather. I now fancy a salad Nicoise

The Clamp · Apr 15, 2024

Flounce said:
To get the best out of it I think you have to live further south where the vegetables and fruit taste about 10 times better than what you can get here

Sorry that’s not much help is it? I am also a useless cook but bloody love Mediterranean food

It also helps to have nice sunny weather. I now fancy a salad Nicoise

Yes, it’s a struggle to find decent produce but I try and get the best I can. As you say though, stuff here is not a patch on the real local stuff.

Littlemo · Apr 15, 2024

This is one of my favourites. Don’t be put off by the sound of it, I do think it sounds a bit odd as a combo, it’s honestly superb and I make it all the time now.

Nigella Tuna & Beans recipe

Questions · Apr 15, 2024

Leaks, asparagus, bacon and mushrooms fried in olive oil and a knob of butter and with a pinch of chill flakes. Plenty of cheese and some crème fresh in at the end to loosen it up…Serve with tagliatelle. ( that’s what I’m doing tonight)

Lurchy · Apr 15, 2024

Jamie Oliver did a tv series (and a book) last year on Mediterranean food, and it’s well worth watching on More4 for ideas.

Summer is the perfect weather to make the switch,

WATFORD zero · Apr 15, 2024

I've been doing a Chicken Basque for years and looking online, Delia's is very similar (I tend to use mixed peppers for the colours and smoked paprika)

https://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/international/european/spanish/chicken-basque

And a couple of others from the Wz kitchen, (there's always recipes online) Paella stuffed squid, Baked cod in a tomato and chorizo sauce and for simple stuff, grilled sardines, Greek Salad.

Sid and the Sharknados · Apr 15, 2024

Mediterranean diet?
No interest in cooking you say?

goodfellas_stonebaked_thin_margherita_345g_51094_T1.jpg

clapham_gull · Apr 15, 2024

Don't dismiss tinned food. Portuguese especially as well as the Spanish put us to shame, where the "best" is to be preserved.

Portuguese tinned tuna (for instance) is well worth tracking down.

LamieRobertson · Apr 15, 2024

I’ve done extensive research for the OP ..ok 5 seconds on a google…and really think that in view of his future aspirations of leaving the glamour of lancing …the following would be more helpful

Top 10 foods to try in Tuscany | Good Food

Located in the central region of Italy, Tuscany boasts stunning countryside, a beautiful coastline and culture aplenty in its capital city, Florence. And that's before you get to the food...

www.bbcgoodfood.com

clapham_gull · Apr 15, 2024

WATFORD zero said:
I've been doing a Chicken Basque for years and looking online, Delia's is very similar (I tend to use mixed peppers for the colours and smoked paprika)

https://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/international/european/spanish/chicken-basque

Lovely dish.

BBassic · Apr 15, 2024

Littlemo said:
This is one of my favourites. Don’t be put off by the sound of it, I do think it sounds a bit odd as a combo, it’s honestly superb and I make it all the time now.

Nigella Tuna & Beans recipe

That's getting added to my list of lunch recipes :thumbsup:

MJsGhost · Apr 15, 2024

Questions said:
Leaks, asparagus, bacon and mushrooms fried in olive oil and a knob of butter and with a pinch of chill flakes. Plenty of cheese and some crème fresh in at the end to loosen it up…Serve with tagliatelle. ( that’s what I’m doing tonight)

With bacon, butter, creme fraiche and 'plenty' of cheese, this doesn't jump out at me as a recipe that screams Mediterranean diet... (as tasty as it sounds)

clapham_gull · Apr 15, 2024

I do artichokes quite a bit, but never from fresh. The trick is to never buy the ones in oil, but try and find good ones in brine.

Dry them on some kitchen paper and "fry" in a dry pan with no oil. The artichokes blacken almost instantly.

You can then put your own expensive oil and vinegar on them.

I always try to have a good bottle of aged sherry vinegar. You need to spend at least a tenner on it, but it last for ages.

This small bottle in waitrose is very nice.

Belazu Gran Reserva Sherry Vinegar | Waitrose & Partners

Buy Belazu Gran Reserva Sherry Vinegar online from Waitrose today. Picked, packed and delivered by hand in convenient 1-hour slots

www.waitrose.com

The Clamp · Apr 15, 2024

Awesome start. Thank you. Just off to an Italian suppliers in Surrey to pick up a few bits for these recipes. If it’s still there*

*the shop, not Surrey.

clapham_gull · Apr 15, 2024

Technically North African, but this goes with anything. Rub on chicken thighs, chopped vegetables of choice and throw in the oven.

Has to be Rose Harissa and I wouldn't even bother with any other brand.

The Clamp · Apr 15, 2024

LamieRobertson said:
I’ve done extensive research for the OP ..ok 5 seconds on a google…and really think that in view of his future aspirations of leaving the glamour of lancing …the following would be more helpful

Top 10 foods to try in Tuscany | Good Food

Located in the central region of Italy, Tuscany boasts stunning countryside, a beautiful coastline and culture aplenty in its capital city, Florence. And that's before you get to the food...

www.bbcgoodfood.com

On that topic, I have booked a week in Tuscany with an Italian speaking friend. Going to be driving through some of the region and check out villages, towns and property.

I’m very excited.

7dialssouthpaw · Apr 15, 2024

pasta,
as plain as possible tom sauce (1/2 as much as you initially might think),
anchovies (3),
olives (8 or 13),
capers (5 or 8)
chili flakes (to taste)
- counts as puttanesca

clapham_gull · Apr 15, 2024

One of my favourite Spanish recipes, goes with anything - especially fish.

Tumbet recipe

Take yourself on holiday to Mallorca in the comfort of your own kitchen with this dish of layers of roasted vegetables

www.bbc.co.uk

I learnt a new trick with the difficult to cook aubergine a few weeks ago. Problem with aubergine is they are horrible when not cooked through and absorb a lot of oil.

An oily under cooker aubergine puts you off them for life.

You need to change the cell structure in the aubergine, some people salt them first - or you can blanch. However (and it seems incredibly obvious), a blast in the microwave after slicing does the trick.

When they start releasing a lot of water (in the form of steam) take them out and then just fry or griddle them. I coat them in a little oil first, rather than adding it to the pan.

The Clamp · Apr 15, 2024

I have never cooked or eaten aubergine.

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