If you had to choose one cuisine from one region of the world to eat for the rest of your life, what would you choose?
I would have to pick the Mediterranean. I simply adore the food so deliciously influenced by countries as diverse as Egypt, Greece, and Slovenia.
I was thrilled to bits when my cooking club chose this as our theme for June.
Since my camera broke this week, I wasn’t able to capture Cameron’s scrumptious smoked lamb, Jen’s fantastic quinoa salad with olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta, and Toby’s delectable green beans sauteed with lime and butter.
But I did get last week’s delectable menu, starting with Greek wine and artisan bread studded with olives.
I made a zesty green bean salad with feta, fresh basil, and a Dijon vinaigrette. Darren whipped up a batch of his famous hummus and Selwyn wowed us all with fork-tender roasted pork loin drizzled with a Gorgonzola cream sauce.
While the food was absolutely amazing, it’s always the fellowship and camaraderie at cooking club that I love the most. I can’t believe I only have a few more weeks with these dear people. I’m going to miss them more than I can say.
Green Bean Salad with Feta and Fresh Basil
3 pounds green beans, trimmed
1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp white wine vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
1 4-oz package Feta cheese, crumbled or grated
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
Directions:
- Steam beans 4 minutes or until crisp tender. Plunge in ice water until cool, then drain.
- Whisk together Dijon mustard and next four ingredients in large bowl.
- Add beans, feta and basil. Toss gently to coat.
This dish typifies why I love Mediterranean cuisine-it’s simple but delicious and is all about fresh flavours 🙂
Me too, Lorraine – it’s the freshness that gets me every time. 🙂
I love the cuisines of the Mediterranean! What wonderful food. That salad sounds and looks mouthwatering.
Cheers,
Rosa
Thank you, Rosa. 🙂 It’s such a bright and perky salad. 🙂
I feel this same way about mexican food- I could eat it for every single meal!
Oh boy, Jade – I adore Mexican food too!! I’m so glad we don’t have to choose just one region. 🙂
If I had to choose one cuisine for the rest of my life..it would be impossible. I flit between Greek and Middle Eastern. You will have to create another Cooking Club when you finally arrive in Australia!!
I’m with you, Val! It would be sheer torture!!! What a lovely idea to create a new cooking club. 🙂 Then when my friends come to visit they can join right in. 🙂
I love the fresh flavors of Mediterranean food. It never fails to make my day brighter! This green bean salad is especially delicious! I love the sound of that dressing!
Ahh, me too, Joanne. It is such cheering food. 🙂
I must confess that as much as I loved the food on our Mediterranean trip, the consistantly best food was in France. I know, not nearly as healthy, but we loved it.
Very good point, Barbara. 🙂 I adore French food too – but I’d be big as a house living on that!! 🙂
what’s not to like about mediterranean food? i would have to agree wholeheartedly with you except that since i adore indian, mexican, indonesian, chinese, french of course and scandinavian……..but egg lemon soup, dolmas, pastitsio…..tzatsiki (i worked in a greek restaurant once).
the photos are gorgeous clever one. they get better every day. hope the camera is fixed soon! more adventures ahead!
Thank you SO much for your encouragement about my photos, Paradis. 🙂 I’ve finally had time to sit down and learn how to edit and it’s making such a beautiful difference. 🙂
As always, the food sounds and looks amazing. I know it can be stressful when a foodie’s camera breaks (sigh).
Great cooking club theme. Thanks for sharing.
I am with you 100% on Mediterranean cuisine! This is quite the lovely spread of food and I love that crusty bread to start the meal! A meal that starts with bread like that could never be bad, right? 😉
Oh, I can imagine enjoying my bread, and some delicious wine while my feet is sinking in the blue water. Hmmm, priceless!
I love mediterranean cuisine too … your green bean salad looks delicious