Tag: tomato

Pourgouri (Bulgur Wheat)

Leave a comment
Twitter

I think this dish may be more Cypriot than Greek but it belongs in this section the most 🙂 I am discovering more about Cypriot cuisine and the different cultures that have influenced the herbs and spices used in Cypriot cooking. I love bulgur wheat (or cracked wheat) and to make this dish even simpler, my local Mediterranean supermarket sells bulgur with vermicelli noodles mixed in. This is an amazing side dish and seems to get better over a few days. It also has only a few ingredients which are pretty much store cupboard staples.

Continue reading “Pourgouri (Bulgur Wheat)” →

Arabic Chickpea Salad

1 Comment
Mashed.com

This salad is my wonderful ‘throw together’, put in the fridge, and let it marinate beauty! I love the flavours in this salad and with the cost of living rising sharply, it’s pretty cheap and very filling. Even if you are not a fan of chickpeas (which is probably because they have been served in a bland way) the mixture of mint, lemon and paprika are just delicious. I always use the jarred chickpeas which I pick up in my local Turkish supermarket for 89p a jar! (they have gone up recently by 20p) Chickpeas are high in fiber and protein and break down slowly in the gut, keeping you fuller for longer. did you know that chickpeas (or garbanzo beans) are considered a vegetable and a legume because they are so nutritious? well, you do now!

Continue reading “Arabic Chickpea Salad” →

Kisir Salad

1 Comment

I love bulgar wheat and despite the onset of Autumn I still enjoy a nice, hearty salad. This recipe is cheap, easy and very tasty – it can be eaten hot or cold and lasts very well in the fridge. Bulgur wheat is a minimally processed whole grain and is packed with fibre and a decent amount of magnesium and iron. Kisir is a popular dish in Turkey and a sprinkling of pomegranate seeds will raise the dish to a very satisfying lunch!

Continue reading “Kisir Salad” →

Fasolada (Bean Soup)

1 Comment

Let’s face it. Summer is pretty much over here in the UK. My thoughts are turning to soothing comfort food. I needed something comforting the other day and I remembered this simple bean soup that uses the best of seasonal vegetables and delivers in flavour and nutrition. I haven’t been so organised lately, long working hours and a family to keep on track has taken up a lot of my time. I am going to make another batch of this rich and thick soup for the week, so I know I have a bowl of goodness waiting for me at lunchtime. Just remember to soak your beans in cold water the night before you plan to make it.
Continue reading “Fasolada (Bean Soup)” →

Greek Butter Beans (Gigantes)

3 Comments

What4eats

This is a staple at any Greek taverna – it is almost impossible to find giant butter (Lima) beans in the UK but standard butter beans will do. It is always worth using dried beans (soaked overnight), the taste and texture are very good but if you are in a hurry you can use tinned butter beans which are also good and cheap!. This humble bean (very much overlooked in the UK) is great for heart health, diabetes prevention, increased energy levels, enhanced digestion and good blood circulation – again I stand in awe of the Greeks and their ability to take basic ingredients and make a delicious meal for a very small cost. You can buy this dish (Gigantes plaki) in a tin  – but once you have made them yourself there will be no turning back! The other benefit of eating beans like this regularly is that they fill you up, making you less likely to snack on other things 🙂
Continue reading “Greek Butter Beans (Gigantes)” →

Tomato & Orzo Soup (Manestra)

1 Comment

I am always on the lookout for cheap, flavoursome and healthy dishes and this is a winner! The weather in London right now is pants – so I fancy something warming and that doesn’t take much thought – but of course, delivers on flavour and health benefits. I never tried this when I lived in Greece but its full of the flavours of the Mediterranean! (who knew even tinned tomatoes are good for you!)
Continue reading “Tomato & Orzo Soup (Manestra)” →

Aubergine Parmigiana

Leave a comment

This is winter comfort food! A really nice dish to serve for a lunch with friends, you can leave it in the oven cooking nicely – leaving your kitchen smelling delicious and you free to chat 🙂 (my favourite pastime!) I would normally serve this with fresh warm bread and a lightly dressed crunchy salad………….. Continue reading “Aubergine Parmigiana” →

Mushroom Bolognese

Leave a comment

So, peeps – I wasn’t expecting much from this recipe, to be honest – I needed a quick mid-week recipe that was easy to put together and would satisfy. Trust me by the time I get home from a long day at work I can totally appreciate why people feel like sticking something from the freezer into the oven! I was very pleasantly surprised by this cheeky little bolognese 🙂  – it was really tasty and filling and so easy to make. It lasts for a few days in the fridge and is also perfect for taking to work for lunch.
Continue reading “Mushroom Bolognese” →

Fresh Beans in Tomato Sauce – (Fasolia)

Leave a comment

What amazes me about some Greek dishes, is how a few ingredients can taste so wonderful! This dish is one of those – it’s sweet and thick and delicious. It’s cheap, easy to make and most of all its healthy. This is a staple in any Greek home, I often swap the above beans for the flatter type – either works equally well.

I am a fan of using whatever is in the fridge or needs using up – so to make the dish more filling I will sometimes add a few chunks of potato, red pepper and carrot.
Continue reading “Fresh Beans in Tomato Sauce – (Fasolia)” →