Easy Dishes Featuring the Vibrant Flavors of the Mediterranean!
While current conditions may be limiting exotic vacation plans this summer, don't underestimate the transportative power of food! Indulging in the cuisines of your fantasy destinations is a great way of connecting to the culture until you can make your way there…
The "Mediterranean Diet" is acclaimed for being one of the most healthful ways of eating, reflecting the traditional healthy living and eating habits of people from the 21 countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. The cuisine emphasizes fruit and vegetables, bold flavors, whole grains, beans and legumes, nuts and seeds, fish and lean meats and unsaturated fats such as olive oil.
See below for easy Mediterranean dishes you can make with Pinwheel products, and dive in!
Paccheri Pasta with Sausage, Onions & Peppers
A crowd pleaser! Hearty and full of the characteristic zesty flavors of the Mediterranean. Serve with a simple green salad for a well balanced meal !
Serves 4; 20 min prep
1. In a large skillet, cook 1 lb. of Liberty Delights Pork Sausages with Onions & Peppers, cut into 1" chunks, on medium heat until the meat is cooked through. Drain off fat.
2. Add 15 oz. Mom's Organic Roasted Red Pepper & Onion sauce to the skillet and bring to a brief boil. Reduce to simmer and add 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional); keep sauce at a low simmer.
3. Cook Di Martino Paccheri Pasta (or rigatoni) as directed on package. Add cooked pasta to the skillet with the sausage and tomato cream sauce. Heat, until the sauce simmers. Season with salt and pepper.
Turkey Cutlets with a Parmesan Crust
A crisp and flavorful treatment of turkey that maintains it’s juiciness. Pair with steamed green beans dressed with chopped garlic, olive oil, a squeeze of lemon juice, and salt/pepper for a complete, satisfying meal.
Serves 6; 30 min prep
1. Season 1 lb. Kochs All Natural Turkey Fillets with salt and pepper.
2. Combine 1/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs and 2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese in a medium bowl; in another bowl beat 2 egg whites. Dip turkey cutlets in egg whites, then breadcrumb mixture, shaking off excess.
3. Heat a large nonstick frying pan on medium heat. Add 1 Tbsp butter and 1 tsp olive oil.
4. When butter melts, add the cutlets and cook about 6 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through. Season with a dash of salt & pepper and serve with lemon wedges.
Sweet Pea & Mascarpone Ravioli with Herbed Brown Butter Sauce
Light, delicious and full of garden flavors; a perfect spring dish with flavors of northern Italy.
Serves 6; 30 min. prep
1.Cook Pinwheel Pea & Mascarpone Ravioli according to instructions.
2. While pasta is cooking, cut 4 Tbsp butter into 4 pieces and add to a saucepan heated to medium. Add 2 cloves minced garlic and saute for 30 sec. Whisk the butte/garlic mixture until it begins to color, but do not let the garlic burn; when the butter turns a light tan color, add in 1 Tbsp flour and stir well. Once it's browned to your liking, quickly transfer it to a cool bowl.
3. Stir in 1-2 Tbsp of chopped fresh herbs of your choice (parley, rosemary, thyme, basil are all good choices), salt, pepper, and 3 tsp lemon juice until mixed well.
4. Serve the ravioli with the butter sauce spooned over top. Top with 1/2 cup Pinwheel Sweet Local Peas (thawed briefly under warm running water), and fresh grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Roasted Cauliflower with Tomatoes, Feta and Crunchy Chickpeas
One of our favorite ways to prepare cauliflower, this dish is comforting, bright & energizing. We’ve also included an optional “topper” after the recipe if you want to add some protein and crunch to the cauliflower.
Serves 4-6; 5 min.advance prep; 25 minutes cooking time
Ingredients
1 jar Elli & Manos Tomato & Feta Flavor Burst (or another tomato sauce of your choice)
3 Tablespoons olive oil, plus more to drizzle on at the end
Salt & Pepper
Optional: crumbled feta cheese; parsley
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, toss 1 lb. cauliflower with 3 tbsp oil. Season with salt and pepper and toss again.
Place a rimmed baking sheet on the bottom rack of the oven or toaster oven and preheat to 450°F. When oven reaches temperature, remove the preheated baking sheet and add cauliflower to hot sheet and arrange evenly. Return tray to the oven and roast until nicely browned, 15 to 20 minutes (oven cooking times vary). Flip cauliflower and roast until cauliflower is tender, another 5 min.
When cauliflower has roasted, transfer it to a bowl or serving platter and drizzle the sauce over cauliflower—you may not need it all. Check seasoning and adjust salt & pepper if needed. Sprinkle with feta and parsley and dot with olive oil, if desired.
Optional: Roasted Chickpea Topping
This adds a delicious crunchy note and good dose of protein to your cauliflower dish. The chickpeas can be roasted at the same time as the cauliflower or, if you’re using a toaster oven, you can make them before you roast the cauliflower.
Ingredients
1 package Your Organics Ready to Eat Garbanzo Beans (chickpeas)
2 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp ground cumin
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
Remove chickpeas from pouch & drain. Dry off lightly with a paper towel or kitchen towel. In a bowl, drizzle the chickpeas with the olive oil and toss to coat. Sprinkle with cumin and season with salt and pepper. Toss again.
Place chickpeas on middle rack of oven preheated to 450°F. Bake, shaking pan occasionally, until chickpeas are brown and crisp, but still creamy on the inside, about 15- 25 minutes (oven cooking times vary.)
Toss over the cooked cauliflower florets & serve!