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| Monday, December 14, 2009 |
| Mediterranean Christmas Menu – Part I |
The Mediterranean diet is often associated with countries like Spain, France, Italy and Greece. But looking at a map of the Mediterranean Sea we see that it’s also surrounded by Turkey, Syria, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Albania, Lebanon, Egypt and Israel. The true Mediterranean diet takes origin in all these countries coastal areas. Consequently, the diet of Piemonte or Brittany is totally different from the diet of Provence or the Amalfi coast. The diet is comprised of what the coastal land and the sea is so generously providing.
When I started thinking about giving you some ideas for a healthy Mediterranean Christmas menu, I decided to include recipes from different countries. Understand that each country and even each region has their own unique way of preparing all of these. So here are some ideas for appetizers that will allow you to spend time with your guests as these can be prepared ahead of time. Not forgetting why we like the holidays…spending time with people we love.
Tapenade from Provence
Olive Spread
1 cup Niçoise olives, pitted or your favorite oil-cured black olives
6 oil packed anchovies, chopped or 1 Tbsp anchovy paste
1-2 Tbsp capers, rinsed
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Juice of 1 lemon
4-6 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Put all ingredients into a food processor with 3 Tbsp of oil and pulse until it becomes like a paste. Check the taste and consistency, you may need to use more oil and maybe add a little more lemon juice if you’d like. Pulse until it becomes a spread able consistency like crunchy peanut butter. Serve with crusty bread or toasted baguette slices.
Pissaladière from Nice (Côte d’Azure)
Onion and Anchovy Pizza
1 lb pizza or bread dough
3-4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2-3 lbs white onions, sliced
2 laurel leaves
1 sprig of fresh thyme, sage and oregano
8 oil packed anchovies or 2 Tbsp anchovy paste
1 small can of anchovies
16-20 Niçoise olives, pitted
Heat oil over low heat and add sliced onions, sprinkle a little salt, stir and add herbs. Keep at a low temperature as the onions should not take on any color. Cook for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally until the onions have cooked down into a thick puree and remove the fresh herbs.
Meanwhile, generously spray a baking sheet with oil using an oil mister. Take the pizza dough out of the bag and stretch it by gently pulling it in all directions. Set it in the pan and using your fingers to poke at it to fit the pan. Loosely cover with a dish towel and let rest at room temperature while the onions are cooking.
Crush 8 anchovies with a fork and add to onions. Stir for another 2 minutes to mix the flavors well. Heat oven to 400°F with the oven rack on the second lowest level. Spread onion mixture on the risen dough. Slice anchovies lengthwise and nicely arrange them and the olives over the onions. Cook for 20-25 minutes. You may need to use the broiler for 2-3 minutes to let some of the onion’s liquid evaporate and get a little golden color.
The pizza is actually a little sweet and you cannot really taste the anchovies, except for those on the top of the pizza. You can serve it warm or at room temperature.
Portokal Salatasi from Turkey
Orange, Onion and Olive Salad
Serves 4
2 large oranges
1 red onion thinly sliced
½-1 cup oil cured olives of choice, pitted
3-4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Peel the oranges using a paring knife, making sure to remove all the white membrane. Slice them crosswise into 1/8 inch thick round slices. Remove any seeds. Layer slices on a serving platter and top with the onion slices. Just before serving, drizzle with the olive oil and garnish with the pitted olives.
Depending on the Mediterranean country, this can be served with a last minute sprinkle of cayenne pepper, mint, dill or parsley.
Enjoy!
- Josée
Stay tuned…next week I’m going to share more ideas for a healthy Mediterranean Christmas Menu.
Labels: Healthy Recipes, Holiday Eating, Josee
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posted by My Sensei @ Monday, December 14, 2009   |
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| 2 Comments: |
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I have heard of people who follow a diet based on that region's eating patterns. Your recipes look excellent! Thanks for sharing.
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great info on the diet industry's dirty little secrets!
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I have heard of people who follow a diet based on that region's eating patterns. Your recipes look excellent! Thanks for sharing.