What is your favorite Mediteranean dish?

Question

I going to this Mediteranean restaurant for the first time and I need some entree suggestions for first timers, I don't want to look lost when I get there.

Answer 1

Seafood paella!  Mediterranean cuisine usually consists of Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Greek & Turkish (sometimes Moroccan) dishes.

If you enjoy seafood, Med cuisine has fantastic seafood dishes.  Grilled food, lots of fresh vegetables, lots of healthy olives, nuts, citrus, cheeses, fruits, bread, pastas....

Grilled chicken, fish, lamb, risotto.... it's all delicious.

If they have a mezze (appetizer platter) or offer tapas, try those since it wll offer you the chance to try alot of different foods.  I love Med cuisine --- it's healthy and delicious.

Answer 2

MEDITERRANEAN VEGETABLE SOUP  

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, diced

1 carrot, halved lengthwise and sliced

2 stalks celery, sliced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups chicken or beef broth

2 cups water

1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, not drained

1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped

1/4 teaspoon oregano

salt and pepper to taste

1 15 oz. can cannelini or white beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup pasta bows

Parmesan cheese (optional)

1 small head escarole (optional)

Heat the oil in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot and celery, and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, broth, water, tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and beans.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. If escarole is being used, wash, tear into 2 inch pieces and add to soup 15 minutes before soup is done, or at the same time as the pasta.

Add the pasta bows and cook 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the pasta and escarole is tender.

Serve sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.



AND

CHICKEN MEDITERRANEAN  

1 cut up frying chicken

1 lb. fresh or canned mushrooms

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

1 tsp. salt

1 lb. can tomatoes

1/2 c. chopped onions

1 bay leaf

2 med. zucchini, cut into 2 inch chunks

1 green pepper, cut into strips

Put chicken into crock pot. Add rest of ingredients. Cook on low temperature for 6-8 hours. When ready to serve, if desired, you may slightly thicken the sauce with cornstarch and serve with rice or noodles. You may substitute chicken b*****s for the frying chicken. Serves 4-6.

AND

MEDITERRANEAN APPETIZER  

1 container (8 oz.) Light Philadelphia Brand Pasteurized Process Cream Cheese Product, softened

2 tsp. red wine vinegar

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 tsp. dried oregano leaves, crushed

1/2 tsp. lemon pepper

24 lahvosh crackers (3 inches in diameter) or 4 pita bread rounds, split

1 1/2 c. finely torn spinach

1 tomato, chopped

4 oz. Churny Athenos Feta Cheese, crumbled

1/2 c. Greek ripe olives, pitted, chopped

Stir cream cheese product, vinegar, garlic and seasonings in small bowl until well blended.

Spread crackers with cream cheese mixture. Top with remaining ingredients. Makes 8 servings.



JM