A Mediterranean diet has some bona fide health benefits, and the best part is that you do not need to compromise on the taste to get those benefits. While Mediterranean food may seem fancy, you can easily make it at your home with the right ingredients and some basic skills. While you can sharpen your skills at short cookery courses, you will find it easier if you know the recipe.
There are multiple restaurants in almost every major part of London where you can find Mediterranean food. But you cannot visit a restaurant every time you crave that food. The most effective solution is to join short cooking classes at institutes like Le Cordon Bleu, where you can learn numerous cooking lessons that meet your needs. Once you develop the basic culinary skills, you can try the following recipes at home.
Baked Salmon with Garlic Cilantro Sauce
If you are looking to add a healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids to your diet, this baked salmon dish is a great option to consider. Here are the steps you need to follow to make it at home:
- Blend loads of fresh cilantro with a little bit of lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil
- Coat the salmon fillet well with the sauce
- Heat your oven to 425° F and set the salmon pan in the top half of the oven
- For a 1-inch thick salmon fillet, cook it in the oven for 8 minutes
- After 8 minutes, do a quick knife test to see how it flakes
- Check the internal temperature of the salmon with a thermometer (it should be 125°F to 140°F)
- Serve the baked salmon with grilled vegetables and Greek lemon rice or Lebanese rice
If you want, you can add a dip or a dollop of classic hummus or Tzatziki sauce.
Mediterranean Grain Bowls with Lentils and Chickpeas
This recipe is the perfect combination of texture, flavour, and health benefits. Here’s how you can make it:
- Start with your grain of choice. You can use Farro for its high levels of fibre and iron
- Add lean protein such as lentils and chickpeas (1 cup per bowl)
- Add vegetables and greens, especially fresh herbs. You can choose options like zucchini, tomatoes, shallots, avocado, fresh parsley, etc.
- Add dressings of olive oil with lots of citruses, garlic, sumac, and za’atar.
This easy-to-make Mediterranean grain bowl recipe can be a great addition to your healthy diet.
Mediterranean Chicken and Farro Bake
This is a complete meal in one dish. This healthy chicken recipe is perfect for a summer dinner. Here’s how you can make it:
- Start by cooking the farro grains. Bring farro and broth to a boil in a saucepan; then, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes
- Marinate the chicken in the oil, spices, and balsamic vinegar
- Use a large skillet on the stove to sear the chicken for about 3-4 minutes per side; then, place it on top of the farro
- Mix the tomatoes, garlic, white beans, basil, and balsamic vinegar in a bowl; spread the mixture around the chicken in the baking dish.
- Cover the entire item with mozz
- Bake for 20 minutes covered and 10-20 more minutes uncovered.
The chicken will be done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Show Your Culinary Skills to Your Friends
As you may have noticed, all three dishes do not require fancy knife skills or complicated cooking techniques. As long as you have the recipe and feel confident about yourself, you can produce quality gourmet dishes using some regular ingredients available in your kitchen.
