Mediterranean cuisine

Mediterranean cuisine is versatile, delicious and healthy! It's also a very popular type of cuisine in many non-Mediterranean countries. Mediterranean cuisine is often used as a generic term in cookery books, referring to all the typical dishes of countries in the Mediterranean region. These countries are Italy, Spain, Greece and southern France, to mention just a few.

What the Mediterranean cuisine in different countries has in common:   

One very important aspect of Mediterranean cuisine is the extra virgin olive oil, olives and fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, aubergines, peppers and courgettes which are used as ingredients. Onions and garlic are also typical, and Mediterranean herbs such as thyme, rosemary, oregano and basil are an absolute must. Two popular sources of protein in Mediterranean cuisine are fish and seafood. All these dishes are served with crusty bread, rice or pasta, which is very popular with the kids.

Despite the generic use of the term "Mediterranean cuisine", there are still many differences between the foods eaten and the methods of cooking used in different Mediterranean countries. The Italians use copious amounts of fresh, fragrant herbs to give their foods that typical, delicious aroma. It's no wonder that pasta - that most popular Italian dish - tastes so delicious with these aromatic sauces. In Spain, the majority of people don't eat sauces with foods, and they tend to use seasonings and herbs sparingly. On the other hand, the Spanish are very generous with garlic. Spain also has a vast array of typical regional specialities. Greek cuisine, in contrast , is traditionally simple. A typical meal consists of lamb seasoned with thyme and served with fresh tomatoes and pitta bread. Southern French cuisine has a genuine gourmet reputation. Ingredients such as fruit, vegetables, fish and cheese are used to create delicacies such as tender chicken with prawns. Mediterranean cuisine isn't just about what you put on the table, it's also about special dining customs and eating habits. In southern Europe, most people eat dinner later in the evening than we do. They eat at a leisurely pace with family or friends, and they sometimes don't finish until midnight because dining is an important aspect of their social lives.

Kikkoman's recommendation:
Puree approx. 100 g green olives with 1 tbsp. tomato puree and season it with a dash of Kikkoman naturally brewed soy sauce and lemon juice. You can use this creamy spread to season many Mediterranean dishes.