Mediterranean cuisine is one of the most colorful cuisines from round the world. All it’s flavors add to its amazing look, and of course its mouth-watering taste. Here are two recipes, which aren’t just healthy quick bites, but tasty all the same.
1. Mediterranean Turkey meatballs with herbed yogurt sauce
Ingredients
For the meatballs: 1 cup cooked lentils (black or green)
1/2 pound ground turkey
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2/3 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup low-fat ricotta
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons red onion, minced
2 tablespoons chopped black olives
1 tablespoon capers
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped, plus more for garnish
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried dill
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
For the herbed yogurt sauce:
1 cup Greek yogurt
1 clove garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon fresh or dried chives
1 teaspoon fresh or dried dill, chopped
1 teaspoon lemon zest Salt and pepper, to taste
Method
Grind the lentils until mushy and pour them in a bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients and fold them together. Stir is well for a good 15 minutes.
In the meantime, pre-heat the oven to 375°F. On a baking tray, spread butter paper and grease it so it’s non-sticky. Form 2-inch balls and place on the baking sheet. Meatballs do not spread while they cook, and hence you do not need to leave too many gaps in between.
Bake them for 20 to 22 minutes, ensure to see that they are golden-brown in color. Once done, set them aside to cool.
While the meatballs cook, you can get the yogurt dipping ready. All you need to do is gently blend all the ingredients for the sauce together. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cool this until they bake. And you can store both of these in the refrigerator. All you have to do next is dip the meatballs in the delicious sauce and eat when you are feeling ravenous.
2. Mediterranean Veggie Pita Sandwich
Ingredients
Makes 2 pita pockets, can be multiplied for more servings
1 whole wheat pita, sliced in half
1/4 cup hummus
1/4 cup shredded carrots
Handful of baby spinach
1/4 cup chickpeas
2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
2 teaspoons chopped sun-dried tomatoes
2 teaspoons chopped Kalamata olives Salt and pepper to taste
Method
Fill each pita pocket with some dip. Then add each ingredient in the pocket, and divide them equally among all the pockets. These are to be consumed immediately. These pockets are easy to make, and serve as a snack for your guests, or a quick bite for yourself.
We are a coffee-drinking nation and every form of the beverage – decaf, regular, expresso, latte, cappuccino, macchiato and ristretto is consumed everyday by millions of us. It’s the first thing we need in the morning and the last (for some) after dessert. Black, with cream, with sugar, no sugar, flavored, each of us has a preference with regard to strength. Nespresso’s taken heed of this and given us a gift in a pod with the Nespresso capsules. Available in the regular Arabica and Robusta capsules, they have some amazing seasonal flavors as well.
Nespresso capsules are hermetically sealed in a capsule that holds 5-7 gms of coffee – enough for one serving of coffee. They offer five ranges in Ristretto (25ml), Espresso (40 ml), Lungo (110 ml), Decaffeinated (40 ml and 110 ml) or Flavored (40 ml).
The variations in Nespresso coffee capsules Ristretto range are:
Ristretto Origin – Made from South and Central American Arabicas, it has toasted flavors with cocoa notes and woody undertones.
Ristretto Origin India – A blend of the finest Arabicas with a smidgen of Robusta from Southern India, this full-bodied coffee has hints of spices.
Ristretto Intenso – A strong blend of South and Central American Robustas and Arabicas, the Ristretto Intenso is a full-bodied coffee with a creamy texture and peppery notes.
The variations in Nespresso coffee capsules Espresso range are:
Espresso Origin Brazil: A pure Arabica coffee, it has a mild sweet flavor.
Espresso Leggero: A blend of South American Arabicas and Robusta, it has smooth notes of cocoa and cereal.
Espresso Forte: Exclusively made from South and Central American Arabicas, it has an intensely roasted balance of espresso and fruity notes.
The variations of Nespresso coffee capsules Lungo range are:
Lungo Leggero: Lightly roasted East African, South and Central American Arabicas, with mild notes of jasmine is what makes up this delicious brew.
Lungo Forte: A complex mix of South and Central American Arabicas, this coffee has heavy roasted notes with a slight hint of fruit.
Lungo Origin Guatemala: A mix of Arabica and washed Gourmet Robusta coffee, Lungo Origin Guatemala is smooth and well balanced with dry and malty cereal notes.
The variations of Nespresso coffee capsules in the Decaffeinated range are:
Espresso Decaffeinato: Dark roasted South American Arabicas with a touch of Robusta enhances the cocoa flavors and roasted cereal undertones of this decaffeinated espresso.
Lungo Decaffeinato: This is a slightly more complex blend of separately roasted South American and East African Arabicas. It includes toasted cereal and sweet notes with subtle and floral hints of East African Arabicas.
The variations of Nespresso coffee capsules Flavored range are:
Espresso Vanilla: This silky-flavored coffee is the result of a base of Espresso Forte, which is a complex and heavily-roasted blend of South and Central American Arabicas and a slightly caramelized aroma of vanilla. Espresso Caramel: On a base of Espresso Forte, this complex and intensely roasted blend made from South and Central American Arabicas has the sweetness of caramel.
Here are a few easy and healthy recipe ideas that are both quick to make and light to digest on hot summer days. With very few ingredients, the preparation of these recipes is a breeze. So go on, enjoy these easy, healthy recipes that are brimming with nutrition and taste heavenly too!
Greek Cucumber Rolls
Ingredients (Serves 2)
Directions
This is popular among easy and healthy recipes. Slice cucumber into thin flat strips using a vegetable peeler and arrange them in slices of two on a clean tray. Smear the hummus on top of each slice, then toss some feta cheese, black olives and cut tomatoes on each of the cucumber strips. Squeeze a little lemon juice and sprinkle some finely chopped dill and cilantro. Finally, roll the strips, serve the Greek cucumber rolls and see them being gobbled up by the young and old alike!
Flavorful fettuccine pasta with vegetables
Ingredients (Serves 2)
Directions
Cook the fettuccine pasta according to the directions on the label. In a thick bottomed pan, heat the olive oil and sauté the chopped garlic and shallots. After about a minute or so, add the other vegetables along with salt and toss them gently for a few minutes. The vegetables must cook and be crunchy at the same time. When they are done, add the cooked pasta, Parmesan cheese, and some freshly ground black pepper to it and mix well. Serve this flavorful fettuccine pasta with vegetables for lunch or dinner as a filling, yet light meal.
Sunshine juice
Ingredients (Serves 2)
Direction
Squeeze juice from the oranges and blend the strawberries in a juicer. Then in a pitcher, take the orange juice, strawberry juice, and chilled water together and mix well. Refresh yourself with this yummy sunshine juice with ice cubes on a hot day.