The Mediterranean Gluten-Free!

Mediterranean cuisine covers a wide array of ingredients, flavors, cultures and special dishes that many of the country’s regions are famous for. Although many of the areas throughout the Mediterranean combine ingredients in their own special way, many of them share the same key ingredients; olives, olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, oranges and lemons, peppers, cheese and pasta to name a few.

What would Greece be without olives, France without cheese, Italy without garlic and tomatoes? Each of these rich cultures have their own creative methods of preparing foods that transform the areas naturally abundant variety of herbs, vegetables and fruits into their own signature meals.

In this feature, we’ve selected recipes from around the Mediterranean and prepared them all gluten-free without compromising any of the intricate combination of flavors.

Provencal Fisherman’s Soup

From France, try Provencal Fisherman’s Soup, ‘Soupe de Poissons’, a sensational, rich soup made with an aoli, or Chicken with 40 Garlic Cloves, ‘Poulet Aux 40 Gousses D’Ail’, a wonderful, dish that will fill your kitchen with the aroma of garlic. With 40 cloves of garlic, it’s hard to believe that this dish adds the essence of garlic to the chicken without overpowering it. Definitely a ‘must make’.

From Greece try Meatballs and Tomato Sauce, ‘Keftai Dakia Me Sattsa’. This is my favorite all-time meatball recipe. This recipe uses an interesting combination of spices to create a complex and superb sauce.

From Israel try Fried Chicken with Sesame Seeds, ‘Oaf Sum Sum’. This is a terrific and different way to prepare fried chicken. The chicken has a delightful, crunchy crust and is a great alternative to traditional floured fried chicken.

Spaghetti with Olive Sauce

From Italy; Spaghetti with Olive Sauce, ‘Spaghetti alla Putt Anesca’. Another ‘must try’. The olive sauce is complex, with the zing of capers and a slightly salty, but not fishy, layer of flavor from anchovies.

From Portugal, Lemon and Rice Pudding, ‘Arroz doce". A delightful rice pudding with the tang of fresh lemons. If you like rice pudding, you will love this recipe.

From Spain; Roasted Pork with Oranges, ‘Lomo de Cerdo al Estilo de Ibiza’. The sautéed apples and oranges and the sauce combine to make this dish a star.

Fried Cod with Zucchini in Tomato Sauce

From Turkey, Zucchini Stuffed with Cheese, ‘Peynirli Kabak’. This is one of our favorites. The cheese blend is superb with the zucchini and this recipe is a snap to prepare.

And finally from Tunisia; Fried Cod with Zucchini in Tomato Sauce, ‘Hout Makli’, the delicious spicy sauce made with harissa is a perfect accompaniment for the light fried cod.

Try any or all of these recipes, close your eyes and fill your kitchen with the enchanted aromas of the Mediterranean, Glutenfreeda style.

– Glutenfreeda