The Mediterranean diet is rooted in the cuisines of countries on the Mediterranean coast and is widely embraced by leading health professionals as a pattern of eating that leads to improved health and longer life. This diet is nothing new to Cooking Light readers, as it aligns with our philosophy of a healthy lifestyle. Rather than being a restrictive “diet,” the Mediterranean way of eating is defined by a focus on plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, healthy grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, along with fish, and shellfish. While the Mediterranean diet is strongly plant-based, it is not exclusively vegetarian. With this issue, readers get over 70 recipes plus tips for eating the Mediterranean way.
MASTHEAD
EDITOR’S LETTER
WHAT HEALTHY MEANS NOW
THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET • While other diets come and go, there’s been one constant for over 50 years, and that’s the Mediterranean diet. This eating approach consistently ranks as one of the healthiest diets, and there is data to prove it. Not only can the Mediterranean diet protect your heart, but research also continues to find additional ways it can keep you healthy!
OLIVE OIL GUIDE • Most people associate olive oil with its heart-healthy monounsaturated fat. But olive oil also offers health benefits from the antioxidants in the mix of plant polyphenols that are in the olives—these compounds are what give olive oil its green color. Here are some tips for buying and storing olive oil and terms you may see on the labels.
CHEERS!
DIP INTO BEANS • Key ingredients in the Mediterranean diet, beans and legumes take a featured place in these classic dips and spreads. Virtually any kind of bean can be mashed, spiced, and turned into a nutritious veggie dip or bread spread. Beans seem to bring out the best in other ingredients and are a terrific match for all manner of spices and herbs.
FRUITS • EMBRACE THE MEDITERRANEAN WAY OF EATING AND ENJOY FRESH FRUIT AT BREAKFAST AND FOR DESSERT.
VEGETABLES • FRESH VEGGIES—ESSENTIAL IN A MEDITERRANEAN DIET—ARE USED HERE IN A VARIETY OF SALADS, STRATAS, PIZZAS, AND GRILLED MAIN DISHES.
GRAINS & PASTA • ENJOY A WIDE VARIETY OF NUTTY WHOLE GRAINS AND PASTAS, AND TOP THEM WITH A BOUNTY OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.
LEGUMES • PEAS, BEANS, CHICKPEAS, AND LENTILS—HIGH IN PROTEIN AND FIBER—ARE KEY INGREDIENTS IN A TRADITIONAL MEDITERRANEAN DIET.
FISH & SHELLFISH • AIM FOR A MINIMUM OF THREE TO FOUR SERVINGS OF EITHER FRESH OR CANNED SEAFOOD A WEEK.
RECIPE INDEX • COOKING LIGHT | MEDITERRANEAN DIET