Have you ever wondered, “what is considered a Mediterranean food or ingredient”? Many are using ingredients and creating dishes of the Mediterranean without even realizing it.
Read on to discover what categorizes a Mediterranean dish, detailing the main features of the cuisine.
What is Mediterranean Food?
A Mediterranean dish bursts with flavours spanning from Northern Africa to Southern Europe and the Middle East. The combination of cultures is reflected in this cuisine, especially in its status as one of the best diets by many sources. Renowned universities, governments, and health experts alike recommend a Mediterranean diet due to its balanced nature and overall health benefits.
The popularity of this food type was popularized in 1950 by Elizabeth David thanks to her book A Book of Mediterranean Food, which instructed readers on the recipes she gained while living in France, Italy, Egypt, and the Greek islands. And, for anyone looking to cook one of her recipes or another Mediterranean meal, gather Mediterranean ingredients here before the cooking frenzy begins.
Main Features of Mediterranean Food
To look at what is considered a Mediterranean food, the ingredients and preparation style are what make a dish stand out in the culinary world. Specifically, among these features is the impact of fresh foods and spices, which play an essential part in the creation of any Mediterranean cuisine across its many countries of origin.
Most of the dishes in this cuisine variety are plant-based, featuring low amounts of meat and eggs per recipe and often featuring no dairy products. One will also find that olive oil is a frequent ingredient in these dishes, adding to the shared culture of Mediterranean countries.
The Five Best Mediterranean Dishes to Try
These are the five dishes that anyone should try when asking themselves, “what is considered a Mediterranean food and how does it taste?” Try making these recipes at home and discover the taste with only a few ingredients.
Shakshuka
Shakshuka is a dish that originates from Northern Africa and can be described simply as sunny side up eggs that are braised in a chunky tomato sauce with added onions and bell peppers.
This Tunisian dish shines as a breakfast item all through the year, enjoyed through all the seasons. When making it, prioritize the use of fresh tomatoes even though the dish still shines when made with canned tomatoes.
Smashed Chickpea Toast
Though traditionally another breakfast item, smashed chickpea toast is a great snack to enjoy throughout the day.
Additionally, as chickpeas are high in protein and fibre, there’s no loss for having this toasted breakfast over one with meat or eggs. This makes it a great vegetarian or, with the right bread, vegan alternative.
Shrimp Scampi
A spectacular seafood dinner, seafood scampi is a Mediterranean taste to be remembered.
The dish pairs well with a couscous or a focaccia, the textures working together. The addition of either side makes for a full dinner.
Turkish Pide
Pide is a Turkish flatbread that’s boat-shaped, perfect for holding the other ingredients. It’s occasionally known as Turkish pizza due to the similarities.
Foodies recommend filling the pide with onions, mushrooms, feta cheese, spinach, and bell peppers, but many recipes are available for this dish that change to suit any taste, or take the idea and make it totally unique with personalised toppings.
Greek Sheet Pan Chicken
As a Greek dish that can easily be made at home, this chicken dinner option is full of Mediterranean spices and herbs that accompany the meat throughout its time in the oven, soaking in and giving a lemony flavor that’s ready to wow the taste buds.
Add the leftover marinade to any salad for an added kick of zesty lemon to brighten up the side dishes.
Take the Taste Test Today
Taking a jumpstart on discovering Mediterranean cuisine can seem odd, so if you have the chance, check out the top four new restaurants of the year in Monaco, which includes Mediterranean rooftop dining, among other well loved cuisine options.
If travelling is out of the question, then a quick look at the recipes for these dishes offers an easy and approachable way to expand the horizons of one’s taste buds.
