I'm going to try Mediterranean food for the first time today. What should i order??

Question

I'm obviously American... what Mediterranean things to Americans like more often than not? I have a wide array of tastes, though.

Answer 1

"Mediterranean" is very, very broad. Can you narrow it down to what kind of ethnic restaurant it is? According to cuisinenet.com, "The Mediterranean can be crudely divided into three culinary regions: North African (especially Morocco), eastern Mediterranean (Egypt, Greece, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey), and southern European (Italy, France, Spain). Wine and herbs are central to Southern European cuisine, while spices intricately and boldly flavor North African foods." I also know MIddle Eastern foods, in general, are very similar to mediterranean flavors.

I'm quite sure Afghani food is in this category, too. I LOVE their eggplant dishes (Badenjan is my favorite), and their spiced rices with raisins...OMG, delicious! Spinach is also popular. Kebabs are likely to appear on the menu, as well. Not the way that we are used to them, necessarily. They sometimes use ground meats like pork, lamb and beef. Any of them will probably be very good. They use garlic and seasonings, and they are absolutely delicious. Most of the breads are delicious, too

In terms of Greek food, stuffed grape leaves (or Dolmas), are great, too. These are also common in the Middle East. Saganaki (or flaming cheese--LITERALLY) and spanakopitas (spinach and cheese pastries) are good, too, though saganaki is cool just cuz of the fire! LOL

For dessert, Baklava all the way, baby! :-D

MMMmm...wanting this food now!

Answer 2

Mediterranean food is pretty wide, but it's also very similar in tastes, ingredients and ways of cooking. Now if I absolutely promised you, crossed my heart and hoped to die, that Lebanese food is the yummiest thing ever. Go into a good lebanese restaurant and order Mezza, it's a lot of small dishes, with some salads, some meats, some barbecues and vign leaves, yogurt made in a special mix and kebbe. Yum... pitta is in common with greek food too. If you order Arak, an alcoholic drink, it's like ordering the greek Sambuka. Eating this, it's like sharing the culture of the area. Once you start with one food, you'll open up to many other foods from that region.

Answer 3

Wow there are an array of choices out there. Mediterranean dishes typically use alot of rice, olives, feta cheese, garlic, vinegarette kind of dressings, along with other spices in their meats. Lamb is popular but they will also offer chicken and beef. I always love the hummous ( a dip made from chick peas) with pita bread and gyros ( chicken, beef or lamb served on pita bread usually with onions and a cucumber/yogurt sauce) If you're not afraid of new tastes you won't have a problem finding something to please your palate. Enjoy.

Answer 4

Using the term "Mediterranean" to describe a cooking style could mean just about anything. Just be prepared for alot of seafood-based dishes, and you should be fine.

Answer 5

Try anything made with eggplant, a staple in all Mediterranean cuisines.

Answer 6

Almost everything is good. The rice dishes are usually made with basmati rice which is fragrant and tasty.

Most of the meats/seafoods are grilled and are safe choices for beginners.

Any of the spreads/dips (hummus, tarmosalta, babaghanoush [which is eggplant], etc.) are good choices with some pita and olives.)

You can always ask your server for his recommendation.

Answer 7

Go to a good Greek restaurant in your area.

Answer 8

You should try some grape leaves wrapped around rice. Those are great.

Answer 9

I think Indo-Pak goes in that category so my suggestion is Chicken Tikka...it is so good

Answer 10

try hummos dip with pita bread and lamb with rice