Smoked Salt & Pepper

A Mediterranean mezze platter is what I call any random plate full of all the yummy dips and falafel and pita that you can get at a mediterranean restaurant. I love making my own hummus , recipe linked, but there is also a delicious hummus made locally in Austin that I like called "Grandma's Hummus" by The Mediterranean Chef . Granddaughter runs the cafe/shop a lot of the times Reid and I eat there and they are a super nice family. I love supporting them and so I buy plenty of the hummus, babaganus eggplant dip (Whole30 compliant!) and sometimes the falafel. I grab a bag of Stacey's Pita Chips from the grocery store and have an easy lunch or dinner. Some whole grain pita pockets are also a great way to eat any of the mezze platter things. If I'm feeling real fancy, I'll make my own falafel, but otherwise I buy and re-heat The Mediterranean Chefs' falafel. One of the great things about this quick meal is the low-carb benefit. I struggle wit...

Moussaka is a Mediterranean dish that is traditionally made with eggplants and ground beef.  I found a vegetarian recipe for roasted vegetable moussaka that I thought looked so pretty with all the different colors, but I also wanted some protein in it so I could eat it as a main dish so I combined it with a more traditional type of moussaka.  The end result turned out very nicely and I'll definitely be making it again. Roasted Vegetable and Beef Moussaka serves 6 1 small eggplant, sliced 1 medium zucchini, sliced thickly 1 onion, cut into small wedges 1 onion, thinly sliced 1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped coarsely 2 garlic cloves, chopped coarsely, divided 1 lb fresh lean ground beef 5 tbs olive oil 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme salt and pepper 14 oz canned chopped tomatoes in juice 10 fluid oz strained plain yogurt 2 eggs 2 oz feta cheese Put eggplant, zucchini, wedged onion, bell pepper, and half the garlic in a roasting pan.  dr...

This appetizer or side dish is yummy and pretty.  I combined two different recipes in order to come up with this one.  Made this two times now and always very satisfied with the result. Ingredients: 1 lb fresh baby spinach, chopped or 1 10 oz package frozen spinach 1 small onion, chopped finely 4 oz feta 1 egg, beaten 1 tbs. fresh dill, chopped 2 tbs. fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped salt and pepper 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, defrosted Directions: 1) Preheat oven to 400F and lightly grease one baking pan. 2) Sautee onion in about 1 tbs olive oil in a large skillet.  Add fresh spinach with just water from leaves and cook for about 2-3 minutes or until wilted.  If using frozen spinach, cook until no longer in chunks.  I've done it with fresh spinach or frozen spinach and I personally think the fresh spinach is easier. 3)Allow to cool.  Drain spinach and onion mixture in a kitchen towel.  Combine spinach, onion, dill, parsle...