I cook from the heart. In other words, I follow my whims and cravings. And, I have the hardest time following an exact recipe.
I do enjoy free-form cooking, but I have a few cherished cookbooks. My collection of cookbooks is small. On purpose. I only purchase books that I know will inspire me and support my family's lifestyle.
And of course, I purchase cookbooks that I can take to bed at the end of a long day. What? You don't do that?! You don't thumb through pages of food-inspired stories and mouthwatering images until you fall asleep, only to dream of your next delightful recipe?!
For those who do...
And for all the home cooks who love to create something simple and new, here is a list of my current favorite cookbooks for a Mediterranean diet (and by diet I mean lifestyle):
Mediterranean Cookbooks and Mediterranean Diet Cookbooks
Mediterranean Cookbook; Editor in Chief Marie- Pierre Moine. Read my full review on this cookbook.
My Paris Kitchen: Recipes and Stories; David Lebovitz
Jerusalem: A Cookbook; Yotam Ottlenghi and Sami Tamimi
Ottolenghi: The Cookbook; Yotam Ottlenghi and Sami Tamimi
Little Foods of the Mediterranean; Clifford Wright. This is an oldie-but-goodie; I've owned it since 2004!
And two more books which I will soon be reviewing here on the blog:
Rose Water and Orange Blossoms; Maureen Abood.
Zahav: A World of Israeli Cooking;
The Gaza Kitchen: A Palestinian Culinary Journey; Laila El-Haddad
As my cookbook collection grows, I promise to share more with you.
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn a small credit when you make a purchase through a link provided here. This is one way to support this blog and my work. If you would like to browse for other products or books not mentioned in this post, please click this Amazon link. Thanks!
Trying your lemon potatoe recipe tonight, wish me luck!
Hope you enjoy them!
As I'm just getting started, I would like a cookbook that has the following:
*great pictures
*recipes that are easy to prepare (30 min. or less)
*lots of vegetarian options for breakfast, lunch and dinner
great snack ideas that are easy to make
*ingredients that are easy to find and prepare
Can you suggest a cookbook?
Hi Pamela,
Have you looked at our recipe archives right here? All recipes are free, they include photos, and we have lots of great vegan and vegetarian options. Here is the direct link: https://www.themediterraneandish.com/recipes/
I LOVE that you have the pictures and videos because that is how I know if it's
something I will make so THANK YOU very much. I've just started the Mediterranean Diet
and this is soooo helpful and yes... FREE 🙂
My pleasure! Thanks so much for stopping in.
My husband had open-heart surgery and we've been trying to eat healthy for years leading up to that. His heart issues were genetic. A friend told him about the Paleo diet and he was all hepped up about that. Personally, I feel it is NOT the way to go for many reasons. IMO, the Mediterranean diet is the best one out there. Rather than a "diet", it's a lifestyle. Have you seen the latest Good Housekeeping issue? (March '019) It analyzes and compares the hottest diets out there side-by-side, and guess what? The Mediterranean diet is the ONLY one that has all pros and no cons! I can't wait to get him to read this. It starts on page 73.
I see you list several cookbooks that you recommend. I love your recipes and I hope eventually you come out with your own cookbook! Thank you for this wonderful blog! I am telling all my friends to check it out. Best regards, Linda
Thanks so much for sharing, Linda! I have to agree with you, I am not sure there is another diet as nutritionally balanced and sane to follow as the Mediterranean way of eating. And yes, I do hope to publish a book in the future. Thanks so much for your kind encouragement.
Where can I purchase you book
Patricia, I do not currently have a book in print, but we do offer a couple of options:
You can purchase Mediterranean Eating, a special edition magazine in collaboration with Mother Earth News here: https://www.themediterraneandish.com/product/mediterranean-eating-special-issue-from-mother-earth-news/
And if you want our free e-cookbook, it is delivered electronically when you sign up to join our free e-mail list
Hello, My family has a history of Alzheimer’s and I am making the change to a Mediterranean diet!!! Any suggestions of cool cook books to start with are well welcomed !!
Have you ever tried to make a hummus fried cakes?
Hi Mike, is there a different name for this? Are you referencing falafel patties by chance? If so, here is the recipe for that: https://www.themediterraneandish.com/how-to-make-falafel/
I am excited to get started on my mediterranean diet. I have high cholesterol and do not want to go on a pill.I am ready for a new look on life with no worries of high cholesterol.
Hi Sarah! Welcome to The Mediterranean Dish! I am excited to have you here. Enjoy! And let us know how we can help you.
I just discovered you and wow do I love your recipes! I made a complete Mediterranean Father's Day dinner and my kids (28,27,25,22) asked me why I haven't cooked this way all along! My husband loved everything too! My daughter said she wants and exact repeat for her birthday! I spent the day shopping and cooking and it was well worth it!
Grilled Marinated Leg of Lamb with Mint Pesto
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Baba Ganoush
Tzatziki Sauce
Summer Watermelon Salad with Cucumber
Best Roasted Greek Potatoes
Last Minute Mediterranean Feta Cheese dip
Everything was off the hook!
Tonight we are having a repeat of Mediterranean Grilled Chicken with Dill greek yogurt . Easy and good for weeknight. Can wait to make all of your dishes! keep the coming!
Stephanie...THANK YOU for giving the recipes a try! And for taking the time to write such a kind comment. I am so humbled that I could be a small part of your family meals. Thanks from the heart! And I hope you'll continue to find useful recipes here...and share our site with others 🙂 XOXO
Hi.
I just signed up for your recipes, and tomorrow, I'll be making the Greek Green Beans.
Thank you so much for offering your recipes!
Best wishes!
Glad to have you here, Joanne! Enjoy!!!
Great recipes! Will definitely use them.
Wonderful, Anna! Thanks for stopping in.
Hi
where is the e cookbook to download ?
Amy
Hi Amy,
Once subscribe to our list via e-mail, you will receive a confirmation message. Simply confirm your subscription, and you we will send you the e-book link to download.
My latest read is an "oldie but goodie" The way to a mans heat-"The Settlement Cookbook" I found at a Antiquities sale. It is so interesting some times have a hard time putting it down.
Sounds interesting, Janet! Thanks for sharing.
I picked up a beaten up copy of that at an estate sale!
I too use recipes as a guide, and LOVE to free form cook!!
Awesome, Lynn! Love seeing you here!
We're two peas in a pod. Yotam is my foodie hero. His cookbooks changed the way I cook!!
LOVE Yotam! And I'm honored to be in your pod, Nagi! Thanks for stopping in!
So happy to be on this list, Suzy. And what a great list for summer cooking.
I am looking forward to making something French from The Bonne Femme Cookbook!!!
I love "Jerusalem"!
Great resource and beautiful photography!
Oh what a great list of books. Luckily I already have 3 of them. Now I'll go and check out the Rose Water & Orange Blossoms..
🙂
I knew we'd have a few cookbook faves in common! Great to see you here, Aysegul!
My standby favorite cookbook; Julia's Kitchen Wisdom: Essential Techniques and Recipes from a Lifetime of Cooking Paperback – June 23, 2009
by Julia Child (Author), David Nussbaum
Thanks so much for sharing, Thomas! No doubt this book is a great resource!!!