Be sure to check out Dede's Top 10 Mediterranean Cooking Tips Below!

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Top 10 Mediterranean Cooking Tips

1. Keep a diverse spice rack- There are so many different spices in this world, but if you want to be well prepared for Mediterranean food here are the spices you need to keep on hand: 7 spices, Sumac, Paprika, Cumin, Cinnamon and last but not least black pepper.  I feel that these are most important only because you can use them in so many different ways, with meats or vegetables and they add a world of flavor.  These spices can be found at your local grocery store or at the DedeMed.com store

2. Use a good extra virgin olive oil- Olive oil is so important, I use it in almost all of my dishes so that's why it's important that you use the most flavorful brand. It is also a very healthy fat that is good for your skin and hair. I prefer Greek or Italian Extra Virgin Olive oil, check out your grocery store and each time buy a different brand until you find the flavor that you like.  Try it with a plain piece of bread and if you find the smooth flavor of olives coming through, then you've found the one!

3. Garlic, Garlic, Garlic!- Garlic is so amazing and is so healthy. It can be used as an antibiotic, antioxidant, lowers cholesterol, heal bug bites and so much more. But most important, it adds so much flavor to food!  It tastes great raw, fried, minced, baked...and each different way produces a different garlic flavor.  Don't be afraid of it and always keep it on hand.  The bad breath is a small price to pay for the great flavor it adds to food, just keep some fresh mint on hand to eat after wards.

4. Keep a good food processor on hand- A good food processor is very important b/c I use it to often with my dishes, you can use to make hummus, falafel, garlic sauce, soup, kibbeh and so many more dishes.  You want one that preferably has a warranty, I like Cuisinart b/c it has a 20 year warranty and I feel reassured that I can use it for so many things without breaking it.

5. Explore the Garbanzo bean- Garbanzo beans or chick peas, as they are sometimes known, are a great bean to work with.  You can buy it dried or canned. It is so versatile b/c you can use it to make hummus, or in a falafel veggie patty or even in salads.  It is a great source of fiber and protein so it's great for vegetarians too.  And you can keep it in your pantry for a long time in both forms.

6. Make sure you have all the tools or make your own- There are a lot of different tools you can use in the kitchen for Mediterranean cooking but the good thing is that if you don't have these tools you can use an alternative which I give you in all of my videos or you can buy them on my store page.

7. Get to know your butcher- Beef, lamb, chicken, fish are all wonderful ingredients but you want to make sure you are using the correct cut and freshest meat in your dishes.  Your butcher is the one to help you do this.  He can help you pick a cut of meat or suggest which one to use for what you want to make. It's also a good idea to have him package it in the quantity sizes that you need. I have mine divide my meat into 1lb or 2lb bags, that way I don't cook to much or to little.

8. Plan your menu ahead- Planning is always a good way to go, especially if you want to use fresh ingredients. If you plan your menu ahead, or at least have an idea of what you want to make that week, then you can buy fresh ingredients for your dishes.  Always try to use fresh when you can, it's healthier and the veggies have more flavor.

9. Always keep hummus on hand- I know this sounds weird but HUMMUS is so versatile.  You can use it as a quick appetizer for surprise guests, you can use it in a sandwich, you can use it as a side dish, you can eat it as a healthy snack.  There are so many times you can eat hummus, you can eat it at pretty much any meal.  But what's also great is that you can add so many different things to it to create new flavors, try olives, basil, sun dried tomatoes, roasted red pepper, cilantro, jalapeno, artichokes, parmasean cheese and the list goes on.  What's great is that it keeps in the refrigerator for up to 1 week so you can make it one day and eat it all week long.

10. Mark DedeMed.com as a favorite- What better website to keep on hand for Mediterranean cooking than the #1 Mediterranean site online.  Each recipe is written out with a video recipe showing you how to make it. All the recipes are quick and easy and if you still don't get it, you can email Dede and she'll be more than happy to help you out.