Light Meals and Weekend Treats from an English Woman in Berlin
Summer is now in full swing over here in Berlin and I am kicking off the season with the perfect recipe for some al fresco dining – a Courgette, Feta and Tahini Dip! I am a huge fan of Middle Eastern food for its exciting flavours, use of fresh vegetables and it’s all things spice. I can eat Mezze all year but it feels that little bit more special during the summer months. I think it is because you can cook just a few items then pile a load of olives…
Greek Orzo Salad is one of my go to packed lunches. I make a big batch on a Sunday and store in the fridge for 2-3 days. It is a delicious and filling lunch and packs up nicely to take to work. The orzo pasta also helps the salad to keep its shape and give it a bit of a firmer texture which makes it the perfect dish when wanting to store in the fridge for a few days.
I love a Greek Salad. There is something so simple yet delicious about a classic Greek Salad with crunchy bits of lettuce, soft and juicy black olives, thinly sliced red onion, fresh tomatoes and a big slab of feta on top….
I have made no secret of my love for Middle Eastern cuisine. It is food that excites and uses some of the best ingredients out there. I was recently at Fes Turkish BBQ and while Germany has no shortage of Turkish delis it was a welcome surprise to be able to eat out at somewhere other than a kebab shop. And don’t get me wrong, I am not one to turn my nose up at a kebab! Many nights have been rescued with a late night stop off for a kebab….
The last month or so I have been blogging more and more Mezze recipes and sharing my love for this delicious style of eating. I am constantly influenced by Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours and I am always finding new ways and styles to cook with different and exciting ingredients. And while I am pleased that my list of Mezze recipes are becoming varied, meaning that we don’t have the same small plates each time we want a little of that fresh and vibrant influence in our kitchen, they can get a little on the heavy side when wanting to make all of your favourite dishes…
When I was in Paxos I came across fried feta for the first time. I am usually quite boring when it comes to feta, simply adding it to salads or as a topping to some vegetables like in a Greek Briam. The only time I have really made proper use of feta cheese in a dish is in a Spanakopita, where in my opinion, it is more of a star ingredient than the spinach itself! I really liked the fried feta but it was the Saganaki cheese that I kept going back for ever since I had a delicious dish of Baked Saganaki with Honey. Saganaki is like a mix between feta and halloumi and I am a huge fan. …
Last month I was in Paxos, a tiny Greek Island just one hour from Corfu. It was the most peaceful and beautiful of places with clear blue water and a choice of wonderful beaches. What I particularly liked about Paxos is that it is not full of package holiday resorts. In fact, it is mostly made up of villas and little apartments filling the tiny villages. We stayed in the smallest, yet most beautiful, of villages, Loggos…
Greek Briam is a favourite spring/ summer time dish of mine. Sat out on the balcony, with a glass of wine and a plate of this medley of olive oil roasted vegetables is another example of how Greek cuisine is all about taking ordinary ingredients to create full and beautiful flavours. It is good, honest and healthy food that is cooked simply. It is very similar to a ratatouille or a tourlou (a Greek oven baked stew) and typically topped with feta and basil….
Armed with a tin of chickpeas you can be assured that a healthy and delicious meal is on it’s way! I love chickpeas. They are packed full of protein and high in fibre, iron and zinc. They are also incredibly filling and easy to prepare, making them a perfect lunch or midweek dinner. I find that chickpeas are really versatile. They work well in stews such as a Chickpea and Chorizo Stew, can be made into burgers or turned into delicious hummus. A tin of chickpeas is certainly a store cupboard staple!…