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[Food] Mediterranean diet



clapham_gull

Legacy Fan
Aug 20, 2003
25,347
I have never cooked or eaten aubergine.
They are either incredible or terrible. There isn't much in-between.

When I see them cooked on the TV I just know they are terrible because they haven't taken the time.

I love Spanish meatballs. Really easy to make, but like Italian meatballs you need to use a 50% mix of pork and beef.

I try only to buy these canned tomatoes which you can now get anywhere

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There are miles better than anything else readily available.
 




Flounce

Well-known member
Nov 15, 2006
1,150
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

I am dismissing that as fake menus, no mention of bloody wild boar. Every menu in Tuscany features it :lolol:
 


WATFORD zero

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 10, 2003
25,892
One of my favourite Spanish recipes, goes with anything - especially fish.


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.

I'm going to try that aubergine thing next time I do Aubergine parmigiana. It always takes me forever to bake the aubergines to the right level, particularly the smaller ends which tend to stay harder longer :thumbsup:

And I agree the simpler the pasta sauce, the better. Carbonara - Pancetta, Garlic, Eggs, Parmesan, seasoning. Nothing Else.
 




BBassic

I changed this.
Jul 28, 2011
12,352
I have never cooked or eaten aubergine.
Aubergine is fantastic. Versatile.

Particularly enjoy it in a satay curry with some quinoa. Used to be with rice but when I hit my late thirties my stomach decided it didn't like rice anymore.
 




The Clamp

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jan 11, 2016
24,544
West is BEST
Aubergine is fantastic. Versatile.

Particularly enjoy it in a satay curry with some quinoa. Used to be with rice but when I hit my late thirties my stomach decided it didn't like rice anymore.
Have exactly the same with rice. And popcorn for some reason. But that doesn’t feature heavily on the Mediterranean menu.
 


Questions

Habitual User
Oct 18, 2006
24,896
Worthing
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)
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)
Ok Pancetta, ricotta, calchott, piementos de padron and petite championes fried in olive olive oil and served with tagliatelle. It’s going to cost you now though 😄 (shit I forgot the asparagus.)
 


peterward

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Nov 11, 2009
11,370
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.
It's stunning mate..... go get yourself a nice bottle of Chianti and a bottle of Montepulciano d'abruzzo.

It's all about good preparation!
 




WATFORD zero

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 10, 2003
25,892
Aubergine is fantastic. Versatile.

Particularly enjoy it in a satay curry with some quinoa. Used to be with rice but when I hit my late thirties my stomach decided it didn't like rice anymore.

Right off topic, my daughter loves a vegan 'steak and kidney' pudding that I make using aubergine, portobello mushrooms and vegetable suet. (Not very mediterranean) :wink:
 


Chicken Run

Member Since Jul 2003
NSC Patron
Jul 17, 2003
18,494
Valley of Hangleton
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
Good luck TC, not a big fan of Mediterranean food so can’t offer any tips but i’m happy to recommend Gousto, been using for 6 months for four meals a week and really enjoy it 👍
 








MJsGhost

Oooh Matron, I'm an
NSC Patron
Jun 26, 2009
4,507
East
Ok Pancetta, ricotta, calchott, piementos de padron and petite championes fried in olive olive oil and served with tagliatelle. It’s going to cost you now though 😄 (shit I forgot the asparagus.)

Probably not going to be @The Clamp's favourite as he's not a big tomato sauce fan (though I'd say this one is just DELICIOUS), but I grow extra cherry tomatoes just so I can make loads of this and freeze batches for a little burst of summer through the winter. Uses a lot of EVOO though, so it has become more expensive of late.
 






The Clamp

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jan 11, 2016
24,544
West is BEST
I’m on a tiny Greek island right now and have just been introduced to Saganaki, a fried cheese which is somewhere between Halloumi and a melted Cheddar.

I am absolutely furious with my parents that I’ve had to tolerate 36 Saganaki-less years.

View attachment 180562
I have heard good things
 




Westdene Seagull

aka Cap'n Carl Firecrotch
NSC Patron
Oct 27, 2003
21,045
The arse end of Hangleton
Putting aside the NSC view that he's a twat ( which is true ) - this book is very good.

Amazon product

EDIT - link doesn't seem to work but it was for Jamie Oliver's '5 Ingredients Mediterranean'.
 


Justice

Dangerous Idiot
Jun 21, 2012
18,762
Born In Shoreham
I lived In Greece for a couple of years and can make a decent chicken gyros, marinate chicken cubes in Greek yogurt, some citrus juices salt & pepper. Make your salad very easy red onion cucumber tomato a hand full leaves drizzle in olive oil.
Cook your chicken on skewers as it distributes the heat, warm your flat bread chuck it all in with your choice of dressing Tzatziki or mayo wrap it up and enjoy.
 




The Clamp

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jan 11, 2016
24,544
West is BEST
I lived In Greece for a couple of years and can make a decent chicken gyros, marinate chicken cubes in Greek yogurt, some citrus juices salt & pepper. Make your salad very easy red onion cucumber tomato a hand full leaves drizzle in olive oil.
Cook your chicken on skewers as it distributes the heat, warm your flat bread chuck it all in with your choice of dressing Tzatziki or mayo wrap it up and enjoy.
Tzatziki is one of my favourite things.
 




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