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By Andrea McGurran Published: 27 Apr 2026 Sunlit Orchard Grazing Board is a blend of farmstead flavors where Mediterranean charm meets cozy kitchen comfort. It's designed to awaken the senses with color, crunch, and contrast. Serves: 2 hungry hearts or 4 light grazers Ingredients: 1 crisp Gala or Honeycrisp apple, sliced thin for juicy bites A fresh baguette, cut on the bias to maximize that crunchy surface 5–6 slices country salami (or any artisan cured meat you love) (turke

By Andrea McGurran Published: 27 Apr 2026 It’s been over 30 years since I stood in Istanbul, in the 1930s décor of a family-run hotel in the old city. Like entering an old Hollywood movie, the smells, memories, and excitement have not left me. However, the combined tastes and experiences are as fresh today as they were then. I still cook the recipes given to me by the hospitable people I met across Turkey. It all seems like yesterday, but my first 1930s Istanbul Hotel Turki

By Andrea McGurran Published 14 April 2026 Tuscan Herb Cloud on Dark Bread is a silky, savory whip that captures the earthy mood of countryside breakfasts — one where simplicity and depth coexist in every bite. Serves: 2 (generous portions) 🌿 Ingredients: ¾ cup fresh ricotta cheese (or whipped goat’s cheese for a stronger kick) 1 tbsp finely minced roasted red pepper 1 tbsp black olive tapenade or chopped cured olives 1 tsp chopped thyme and oregano mix ½ tsp cracked black p

By Andrea McGurran Published: 25 August, 2026 The Rustic Mediterranean Grazer is an appetizer board celebrating the abundance of Mediterranean coastal foods, built around the golden lupini bean. Every item enters the board not merely as food but as a story of salt air, olives ripened by the sea, and grapes kissed by sun. Serves 4 Ingredients: 1 cup lupini beans, marinated overnight in a mix of orange zest, olive oil & rosemary ½ cup Mediterranean olives, mixed varieties for c

By Andrea McGurran Published April 27, 2024 Batool's Shirazi Salad with fresh vegetables and herbs Shirazi Salad is a refreshing, crisp dish that brings together fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions with fragrant herbs and a tangy dressing. Originating from Shiraz, Iran, this salad is a staple in Persian cuisine and offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures. It’s light, healthy, and incredibly easy to prepare, making it a great side dish or a standalone snack on warm

By Andrea McGurran Published: May 3, 2026 Falafel and baba ganoush are two classic Middle Eastern dishes that bring bold flavors and satisfying textures to any meal. When combined on a plate, they create a vibrant, wholesome dish perfect for lunch or dinner. This recipe offers a fresh, homemade take on a falafel plate served alongside creamy baba ganoush, with tips to make each component flavorful and authentic. Whether you are a seasoned cook or trying falafel for the first

By Andrea McGurran Published: 13 June, 2026 Ghormeh Sabzi stands as one of the most beloved dishes in Persian cuisine, enjoyed not just globally, but all across the Mediterranean. Its rich, herbaceous flavor combined with tender meat and tangy dried limes creates a unique taste experience that has captivated food lovers worldwide. Paired with perfectly steamed Persian rice and the vibrant, pickled flavors of torshi litteh, this meal offers a harmonious balance of textures and

Adapted by Andrea McGurran Published: 11 June, 2026 Greek cuisine offers some of the most flavorful and satisfying dishes in the Mediterranean. Among these, Dolmades and Tzatziki stand out as iconic staples that bring fresh, vibrant tastes to the table. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply want to explore authentic Greek flavors at home, mastering these dishes will elevate your culinary repertoire. This guide provides detailed, step-by-step instructions for prepari

By Andrea McGurran Date: 10 June, 2024 Israeli cuisine offers a rich blend of flavors and textures, and few dishes capture its essence like the lamb kabob tenderloin plate. This dish combines tender, juicy lamb with vibrant spices and fresh accompaniments, creating a meal that is both satisfying and memorable. Whether you’re an experienced cook or a home chef eager to explore new tastes, this recipe delivers an authentic Israeli experience right in your kitchen. Serves: 4 In

Adapted by Andrea McGurran Published 25 August, 2026 Beef souvlaki is a classic Greek dish that brings together tender, marinated meat grilled to perfection and served with fresh, vibrant accompaniments. This recipe captures the essence of Mediterranean flavors with juicy beef skewers, cooling tzatziki sauce, and soft pita bread. Whether you’re planning a casual weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering, these beef souvlaki skewers offer a satisfying meal that’s both simple and

Adapted by Andrea McGurran Published: 25 August, 2026 Greek cuisine offers a wonderful balance of fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and comforting textures. One of its most beloved dishes is the Greek spinach pie, known locally as Spanakopita. This savory pie combines tender spinach, creamy feta cheese, and flaky phyllo dough to create a dish that’s both hearty and light. When paired with simple sides like rice, a slice of roasted potato, fresh salad, warm pita, and cool tzatz

By Andrea McGurran Published: 25 August 2026 Salmon kabobs offer a delicious way to enjoy a healthy, flavorful meal that combines tender, smoky fish with vibrant grilled vegetables. This dish balances the rich taste of salmon with fresh, crisp veggies and a bright, tangy yogurt sauce that ties everything together. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering, this salmon kabob plate delivers satisfying textures and bold flavors in every bite. Serves: 2

By Andrea McGurran, Editor-in-Chief — The Taste Magazine.Net Published: 12 April 2026 There’s a sound that every cook recognizes — the soft, spirited hiss of freshly cut potatoes dropping into sizzling oil. It’s the overture of comfort, the anthem of kitchens everywhere. French fries, with their golden armor and ethereal crunch, are more than a side dish; they’re a shared language of joy. The Craft Behind the Crunch: The perfect fry is part science, part patience, and a dash

By Andrea McGurran Published: 25 August 2026 There’s something undeniably soulful about chicken shawarma. Its tantalizing aroma, smoky char, and balanced spices bring together centuries of culinary tradition in a single bite. Paired with crisp golden fries, pillowy pita, and luscious tzatziki — it’s both comfort food and an adventure. Whether served up as a wrap for a quick weeknight dinner or plated elegantly like in this magazine feature, shawarma captures the spirit of hos

By Andrea McGurran Published 25 August, 2026 On a rustic wooden table that whispers of sunny afternoons by the Aegean Sea, a vibrant plate of falafel, dolmades, and creamy spreads invites you to slow down and savor. The Mediterranean veggie sampler is more than just a meal — it’s a mosaic of color, texture, and heritage. This dish brings together the humble earthiness of chickpeas, the brightness of fresh herbs, the silkiness of olive oil, and the calming comfort of pita brea

Adapted by Andrea McGurran Published 27 April 2026 A Tangy Taste of Tradition In Batool's Persian, childhood home, once a Bedouin tent, the arrival of autumn signaled the beginning of torshi season — a time to capture the vibrancy of garden vegetables in golden jars of spiced vinegar.Torshi Makhloot, literally “mixed pickle,” is the crown jewel of Persian condiments: crunchy, colorful, and rich with herbs and spices. Each bite delivers a perfect balance of sour, salty, and ar

By Andrea McGurran In the quiet hum of a warm kitchen, sheets of golden pastry rise in delicate layers, each hiding the earthy richness of roasted hazelnuts. A drizzle of perfumed rosewater honey catches the light — amber and opulent — cascading slowly down the crisp edges. It’s a dessert that feels both ancient and elegant, reminiscent of Mediterranean courtyards and long, lingering summer evenings. This layered hazelnut pastry is a refinement of tradition: crisp phyllo, but

By Andrea McGurran There’s something irresistible about the first fizz of a homemade ginger beer — bright, golden bubbles dancing up a frosted glass, a citrusy aroma mingling with the spicy warmth of fresh ginger. It’s a drink that speaks of both heritage and craft: a nod to traditional fermentation, balanced with the clean refreshment we crave on a warm afternoon by the window. Though traditionally from the Caribbean, it's also enjoyed in the Mediterranean, where ingredients

By Andrea McGurran There’s something timeless about the way a good salad can capture the spirit of a meal — bright, balanced, alive. Fattoush, the celebrated Lebanese bread salad, is all that and more: a medley of crisp vegetables tossed with crunchy toasted pita and draped in a tangy lemon-sumac dressing that practically sings with freshness. This is the kind of dish that feels both rustic and refined — bursting with garden flavor, yet elegant enough to serve alongside roast

By Andrea McGurran Published 27 April 2026 There’s a certain poetry to a salad like this — where earthy beets meet creamy goat’s cheese, sweet strawberries dance beside toasted walnuts, and every bite feels both rustic and refined. The Mediterranean has long mastered the balance between bold flavors and simple beauty, and this salad is a perfect reflection of that harmony. The contrast of textures — crisp greens, tender roasted beets, crumbly cheese, and crunchy rye croutons