Mediterranean Diet Cook Books

[wiltsgirl]

Has anyone in the UK found a recipe book useful when following the Mediterranean Diet? I love cooking and want to try some new recipes. Thanks in advance.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Robin Ellis who played the original Poldark is something of a chef. He now lives in France and has written a few books on Mediterranean cookery. Having developed Type II diabetes some are aimed at at diabetics but in reality relevant to all. After following the Mediterranean diet his diabetes has gone into remission sufficient for him to come of medication. Nobody is ever cured.

[wiltsgirl in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks Michael, luckily I don't have diabetes, just want some ideas for new recipes. Are they vegetarian ? Hope you are doing well? x

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to wiltsgirl]

Some of his recipes are and some are not. I am doing OK thank you (cardio review at end of month) but frustrated by my arthritic hip! ☹️

[wiltsgirl in reply to MichaelJH]

Hi Michael, I got one of his books to my kindle today to give it a go. Some I wouldn't try that contain Brussels sprouts! Thanks for your help. Hope you can get some peace from your hip soon. x

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to wiltsgirl]

Sprouts are horrible. For a recipe with sprouts I would substitute broccoli tips.

[CretanBob]

Hi Wiltsgirl!

I love cooking too and have been eating a mediterranean type diet for years which started with my love affair with Greece 40 years ago.

There are a lot of simple med receipes in Gino Di Campo and Jaime Oliver books (some depend on your views on pasta) and they don't require obscure ingredients. I also type certain ingredients into the BBC Food website and have a browse until I find something that fits the bill.

I cook the greek veggie dish called Briam. Basically it is Aubergine, Courgette Pepper and tomato with different versions of herbs added. I cook a lot and freeze some and have it with fish, chicken on just on its own with some lower fat cheese like goat/sheep feta (proper as we say in Manchester)

[Jessie1234 in reply to CretanBob]

Lovely, I like simple dishes and Briam sounds up my street. I made Ratouille this week, the first time in ages and loved it. I ate it 3 days in a row as an accompaniment to fish for dinner, with bacon for breakfast and on its own this morning after a boiled egg with sourdough toast and advocado. I love goats cheese too. I found an article called "How to do the Mediterranean diet on the cheap - with an easy three day recipe plan" at mirror.co.uk. You could always adapt the recipes with fresh food instead of the tinned food they promote. Sorry Wiltsgirl, you are probably looking for more sophisticated recipes but for speed and cooking separate traditional meat and vegs for an old fashioned husband it fits the bill for me!! Further simple Mediterranean recipes welcomed!

[wiltsgirl in reply to Jessie1234]

Hi Jessie, thanks for your reply. Simple or challenging, don't really care. Trouble is I am not a fan of Avocado or aubergine or courgettes to be honest.

[Jessie1234 in reply to wiltsgirl]

I mash ripe advocado on whole meal sourdough toast made by a local Baker. It just wouldn't be the same without Herbamare salt, rainbow pepper or black pepper sprinkled on plus a dried seaweed condiment too. I never thought I'd love it but I do. Try it!! Why don't you try the Ratatouille with just a little courgette in it. It's best made the day before and left for the flavours to develop. It's really nice with red onion, sweet peppers, mushrooms and herbs. No need for aubergine

[wiltsgirl in reply to Jessie1234]

Thanks Jessie. Doesn't sound like something I would give a go at. i don't really add salt to anything and if I do its minimum amount. I use herbs and spices all the time.

[Jessie1234 in reply to wiltsgirl]

I try to keep salt to small amounts. The Herbamare is a mix of sea salt, herbs and seaweed. To be honest it's the rainbow pepper shake which really adds favour. I wish I was better at knowing how to use fresh herbs though.

[Outandabout in reply to Jessie1234]

Ratatouille with half a pot of Madras curry paste, sometimes some coconut milk or cream and spinach mixed in... My fave meal, can't beat it for a quick and easy healthy curry.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to CretanBob]

Personally I would not buy a Jamie Oliver book. He is worth around £100m and his restaurant chain went under owing £83m. So everybody from the taxman down to a local greengrocer is owed money and he has got away with it!