Cold Mediterranean Appetizers Recipes - Episode 166 - Amina is Cooking

feta cheese

🥗Healthier: cottage cheese

💰Cheaper: ricotta

Cottage cheese provides a similar texture with fewer calories.

hummus

🥗Healthier: avocado dip

💰Cheaper: bean dip

Avocado dip offers healthy fats while being cost-effective.

pita bread

🥗Healthier: whole grain wraps

💰Cheaper: tortillas

Whole grain wraps add fiber while being budget-friendly.

stuffed grape leaves

🥗Healthier: stuffed zucchini

💰Cheaper: stuffed cabbage

Stuffed zucchini is lighter and often less expensive.

Wash and cut dandelion leaves into medium-sized pieces.

Boil water in a pot and add dandelion leaves, cover and boil for 5 minutes.

Transfer boiled dandelion leaves to a colander to drain and cool down.

Squeeze excess liquid from cooled dandelion leaves and set aside.

In a pot on medium heat, add olive oil and chopped onions, sauté until they develop color.

Add salt and black pepper, cook for 1 minute, then add garlic and cook for 2 more minutes.

Add squeezed dandelion leaves to the pot and mix, adding more oil if needed and lemon juice.

Transfer to a serving plate and top with fried onions, drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, serve with pita bread.

For mamura, soak walnuts in warm water for 15 minutes.

In a food processor, combine soaked walnuts, roasted red bell peppers, roasted garlic, fresh garlic, roasted onions, chili paste, tomato paste, paprika, cumin, pomegranate molasses, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper.

Blend until smooth and adjust consistency with breadcrumbs if necessary, then transfer to a serving plate and drizzle with olive oil.

For the yogurt dish, layer toasted pita bread on a plate, add cooked chickpeas and some cooking water.

Mix yogurt with tahini paste, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, olive oil, and garlic until smooth, then pour over chickpeas.

Top with fried nuts and fresh parsley, serve cold.

For the eggplant salad, roast eggplant at 425°F for 40 minutes, then cool, peel, and remove seeds before dicing.

In a bowl, combine diced eggplant, chopped garlic, onions, diced tomatoes, diced green and red bell peppers, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and parsley, mix well and serve.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens