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What are Mediterranean recipes? The Mediterranean covers a lot of ground, spanning not only Southern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean; the Balkans, the Middle East, and Northern Africa all border the dazzling Mediterranean Sea as well. Each area is renowned for its own distinctive flavors, but there's also a common culinary thread, with an emphasis on plant-forward dishes and healthy fats. We've rounded up dinner ideas that capture the spirit of the Mediterranean diet. These recipes spotlight olive oil, seafood, legumes like lentils and chickpeas, whole grains, nuts, olives, and fruits and vegetables, with moderate amounts of poultry, eggs, cheese, and yogurt. There's almost no red meat, butter, and processed foods. Try these 20 recipes—and bring a taste of the Mediterranean to your table.
Greek Mezze Salad
Inspired by the small plates known as "mezzes" that traditionally crowd the tables at Greek trattorias, this salad-for-dinner is anchored by savory roasted chickpeas, a lemony yogurt sauce, and simple-prep vegetables like cucumber and radish.
Mediterranean Pasta With Artichokes, Olives, and Tomatoes
The very essence of the Mediterranean, this simple vegetarian pasta features artichokes and grape tomatoes, plus plenty of Kalamata olives and garlic. A generous splash of white wine ties the flavors together.
Braised Fish With Fennel and Tomato
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A braise often cooks long, but not when fish filets are the ingredient. The firm-fleshed fish, such as grouper, halibut, sea bass, or snapper, takes mere minutes to cook for this sunny dish. The braising liquid is infused with flavor first by cooking together the tomatoes, white wine, fennel, garlic, and lemon.
Classic Minestrone
The harmonious flavors start with carrots, onions, celery, onions, and rosemary sauteed in olive oil and build with the addition of whole canned tomatoes. Hearty cannellini beans, Savoy cabbage, potatoes, and green beans seal the deal: this soup is dinner-perfect.
Swiss-Chard and Feta Pasta
No Mediterranean round-up is complete without shining a light on capers and anchovies, briny wonders that pair beautifully with salty feta cheese while offsetting sweet, fresh orange juice. Topping off this vegetarian crowdpleaser: toasted pine nuts, plus more capers and feta.
Pistachio-Crusted Cod
Pistachios, parsley, lemon juice, and olive combine for an out-of-this-world, Mediterranean-style crust. Slather it on firm white fish like cod, roast, and serve with Couscous With Carrot and Cilantro.
Tian Provençal With Polenta
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As Francophiles may know, a tian is the name of the shallow dish in which this casserole-like main is baked, as well as the savory vegetable creation itself, a staple of the Provence region in the south of France. Our version is made with layers of zucchini, eggplant, leeks, tomatoes, and comforting polenta.
Moroccan Fish Tagine with Tomatoes, Olives, and Preserved Lemons
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Smoked paprika, cumin seeds, fresh cilantro, and the pulp of homemade preserved lemons are ground together to make a Moroccan chermoula, the secret behind this bold classic. The sauce is rubbed into monkfish, then baked with olives, bay leaves, and more preserved lemon peel for a memorable dish you're sure to put in heavy rotation.
Baked Chicken Legs With Chickpeas, Olives, and Greens
A heady spice mixture—featuring toasted and ground coriander seeds—plus shallots, leafy greens, and roasted chickpeas elevate this one-pan chicken dish to transcendent heights. A colorful cupful of olives and the juice of an orange drive the Mediterranean theme home.
Turkey Meatballs in Apricot Sauce with Mint and Almonds
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Dried Turkish apricots steeped with a cinnamon stick in chicken broth punch up these subtly spiced turkey meatballs. Allow enough time before cooking to let the balls chill in the fridge, which helps the bread crumbs hydrate, and the meatballs retain their shape.
Baked Fish With Summer Squash
Light, fresh, and filling, this easy entree draws on the sunny flavors of the Mediterranean, pairing cod or halibut filets with zucchini, capers, thyme, and olive oil. Pair it with rice, as the recipe suggests, or with polenta.
Mediterranean Veggie Burgers with Mint-Yogurt Sauce and Carrot Salad
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The marriage of lentils and fresh mint equals Mediterranean heaven. The legume mixture is shaped into burgers, browned in olive oil, and served with an unforgettable yogurt sauce that makes ample use of more mint.
Baked Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta
Fresh mint, bubbling feta cheese, and a fragrant tomato sauce take baked shrimp to the next level. In fact, one bite may be all it takes to transport your taste buds to the Greek Isles.
Mediterranean Chicken Packets
It's been said that good things come in small packages, and this recipe is no exception. Wrap up chicken breasts, tomatoes, artichokes, olives, capers, feta cheese, and a sprinkling of olive oil and Italian seasoning in parchment paper, bake, and bask in the glow of an elegant dinner well made.
Chickpea and Butternut Squash Stew
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Harissa, the Tunisian red pepper chile paste, brings the heat to this tomato-rich vegetarian stew, while cumin and paprika lend additional intrigue. For even more flavor, consider cooking your own chickpeas instead of reaching for handy cans.
Mediterranean Chicken Bake
Sweet and tangy ingredients, including pitted dates, red wine vinegar, and Dijon mustard, give this easy-bake chicken a Mediterranean flair.
Chicken and Polenta Puttanesca Melts
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On nights when time is short, break out this filling dish made with precooked polenta, thin chicken cutlets, and store-bought marinara zipped up puttanesca-style with capers, olives, and garlic. The finishing touch: a smidgen of mozzarella cheese.
Clams in Rich Broth with Orzo
Manila clams meet their match in this savory dish headlining the rice-shaped pasta called orzo. The broth is lush with tomatoes, garlic, and onions, so consider having a loaf of crusty bread on hand for dipping.
Mediterranean Salmon Cooked in Parchment
Fennel and orange, reminiscent of sunny Sicily, lend loads of oomph to salmon, packed with protein, vitamin A, and omega fatty acids. Parchment paper makes dinner prep a cinch, though your family may think you've labored for hours.
Pasta With Lentils and Arugula
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Mediterranean basics, including tomatoes, lentils, and olive oil unite with another regional favorite, orecchiette, the pasta shape that resembles small ears and hails from the Apulia region of Italy. Bright green arugula ups the plate (and nutritional) appeal.
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