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How To Throw A Mediterranean Dinner Party: These 3 Recipes Are Key

Author:

Jamie Schneider

September 14, 2019

Former Senior Beauty & Lifestyle Editor

By Jamie Schneider

Former Senior Beauty & Lifestyle Editor

Jamie Schneider is the former Senior Beauty Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.A. in Organizational Studies and English from the University of Michigan, and her work has appeared in Coveteur, The Chill Times, and Wyld Skincare.

Image by Trinette Reed / Stocksy

September 14, 2019

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With practically everybody raving about the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, it's difficult not to want to immediately jump on board with the trend. Many studies have found that this eating plan promotes longevity and reduces risks of cancer, and it does so without any caloric restrictions. However, it can be difficult to know just where to begin your new Mediterranean lifestyle (without hopping on a flight to a fabulous Greek island for inspiration, of course).

To begin your omega-3-rich diet, what's better than starting with a Mediterranean-approved dinner party? Each recipe from Erin Gleeson's The Forest Feast Mediterranean is filled with ingredients containing healthy fats and antioxidants, like pine nuts and beetroot, and you'll be sure to get your social fix in as you impress your family and friends with these recipes. After all, the Mediterranean diet emphasizes relationships as an integral part of a healthy lifestyle.

Image by Erin Gleeson / Contributor

Course 1: Cava Sangria

Ingredients:

1 bottle (750 ml) Cava or any dry sparkling white wine
2 cups (480 ml) white grape juice

Mix in a pitcher with:

1 cup (165 g) strawberries cut in circles
1 cup (125 g) raspberries
½ grapefruit cut into triangles (peel on)

Serve chilled or over ice.

Image by Erin Gleeson / Contributor

Course 2: Shaved Snap Pea Salad

Ingredients:

3 cups (185 g) snap peas (about 2 big handfuls, ends trimmed)
2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan
3 tablespoons pine nuts
6 dates, pitted and diced
2 tablespoons chopped mint
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons lemon juice
Black pepper

Method:

Cut the snap peas diagonally as thinly as possible. This is easy but does take a bit of time. A sharp knife helps.
Toss all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and enjoy chilled or at room temp.

Image by Erin Gleeson / Contributor

Course 3: Beet Pasta

Method:

Boil 8 oz (225g) pasta (long fusilli is recommended).
Grate 1 small beet using a fine grater (no need to peel).
Drain the pasta, then put it back in the hot pot.
Add the grated beet, juice from ½ lemon, 2 oz (55g) goat cheese, 2 tbsp. olive oil, plus salt and pepper to taste.
Serve with fresh herbs (parsley is recommended).