In previous posts, we looked at two classic ingredients in Mediterranean food: Olives and Olive Oil. Yet Mediterranean food is filled with a bounty of classic, flavorful ingredients. Today, we will look at another important ingredient to Mediterranean cuisine, feta cheese.

Feta cheese is an ingredient that has become a global phenomenon, but did you know it was once only made in a few specific regions of Greece?
Feta is the oldest known cheese, with the first mention of it as far back in time as Homer’s Odyssey. In one of the oldest fictions in the world, the cyclops Polyphemus is seen with a herd of sheep, making feta cheese.

The details on how it is made are shared in the story, not only confirming it was made by ancient Greeks at the time, but how important the cheese was at the time.

How It’s Made
Feta Cheese is made by heating sheep milk (or sometimes sheep mixed with goat milk) with rennet to curdle it into a cheese. The curd is then separated from the whey and left in barrels, tins, or other vessels to brine in a salt solution.
The result is a crumbly white cheese that is finished relatively quickly compared to other cheese that need to age.
Feta has a protected status and can only be called Feta if it was created with traditional methods in Greece.

How It’s Used
With Feta Cheese being written about as early as the 7th century, it’s no surprise that many great dishes have arisen from it. The people of Greece, and others around the world too, have had plenty of time to experiment with this cheese and turn it into amazing dishes.
Feta cheese is used in a variety of dishes, sprinkled in as a vegetarian alternative to meat in Gyros, crumbled over salads, and baked into famous dishes like Spanakopita.

Nutritional Benefits
Like almost all the ingredients in Mediterranean cooking, feta has a wealth of nutritional benefits. They are lower in calories than other cheeses such as cheddar, but provide calcium, vitamin B12, and many other vitamins and minerals.
Feta cheese may support bone health, and also may improve digestive health. It may also help with vitamin absorption and weight management.
Between all of these nutritional benefits, it is no wonder Feta is a part of the Mediterranean diet.

Tasty, Nutritious Ingredient
The Mediterranean diet is well known for being particularly healthy. It’s little surprise then that the ingredients that make it up all seem to be a powerhouse of nutrition in different ways. This incredible cheese has been providing Greek citizens health benefits since the ancient times, and is now available around the world for everyone to enjoy.
The next time you tuck into a Greek Salad or a beautiful Spanakopita, take a moment to appreciate the delicious Feta accenting your food. It’s truly an amazing ingredient, rich with history, and thousands of years of knowledge went into those delicious bites your craving.

A diet filled with Middle Eastern food, similar to a Mediterranean diet, incorporates the flavorful foods of the countries around the Mediterranean Sea. This food is conducive with a health diet, as it keeps the body healthy by being heart healthy and staving off many chronic diseases.

Middle Eastern food emphasizes the use of fish, olive oil, whole grains, legumes, and vegetables. Vegetarian food is often enjoyed, as it is heart healthy and strong flavors can be showcased. Because cholesterol and saturated fat are only found in foods that are animal-based, Eating vegetarian or vegan food is very health-conscious. Heart-healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids in fish and olive oil are healthy sources of fats.

For example, Tabouleh is a superfood that incorporates healthy olive oil with a refreshing mix of bulgur wheat, fresh onions and tomatoes, mint, lemon, and salt. This is a perfect dish for corporate catering as it is a crowd pleaser that can easily go along with any entree meal.

Baba Ghanouj is also great for catering, as its light and fresh consistency pairs well with wood-fired pita bread. Baba Ghanouj is a fresh blend of baked eggplant, fresh garlic, tahini, and lemon. Eggplant is especially good for your health, as it is a great source of dietary fiber, copper, and vitamin B1. It also has manganese, niacin, vitamin B6, potassium, vitamin K, and folate. Its phytonutrients include nasunin and chlorogenic acid, which are vital to overall health.

Following a Middle Eastern diet is also beneficial to brain health, cognitive function, and overall mortality. Studies have shown a Middle Eastern diet has been able to have an effect on the prevention of Parkinson’s, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s in 1.5 million people. For lunch, you might enjoy an Aladdin Mediterranean Chicken Salad with homemade lemon and olive oil dressing, with a wood fired pita on the side. For dinner, try some falafels, which is a vegetarian delight, and a Koufta Kabob to add some additional protein to your day.

There are many varieties of food available to help you stay healthy while eating Middle Eastern food. The options are endless for your taste and the taste of others. If you are putting on a corporate catering event, impress your guests by including a healthy menu for them to enjoy that will keep them energized throughout the day. Encouraging your guests to eat healthy vegetarian and vegan foods is a great way to have them experience new flavors that they will want to go back for more.

Due to exponentially increasing rates of heart disease and obesity, more and more people are becoming health-conscious in an effort to increase the quality and length of their lives. Many people jump on the bandwagon of extreme or crash dieting, believing that it will help them achieve favorable results faster. However, this type of dieting is not sustainable over a long period of time, and most people become “yo-yo” dieters, losing and gaining weight quickly and wreaking havoc on their health

The most effective path to long-term health is a true lifestyle overhaul. By incorporating moderate and sustainable changes, you can maintain a healthy diet and enjoy long-term health. One of the most popular and effective ways to achieve this is to incorporate a traditional Mediterranean diet.

What is the Mediterranean Diet?
Contrary to what many people believe, a true Mediterranean diet is not the pasta-heavy diet that many of us associate with Mediterranean food. A true Mediterranean diet revolves heavily around fresh fruits and vegetables, beans and legumes, seafood and poultry, dairy, and nuts. Pastas are typically included as small side dishes rather than the base of a meal, and pizzas are thin crusted and topped with lots of fresh vegetables rather than cured meats.

Aladdin Cafe

Aladdin Cafe incorporates the best of Mediterranean cuisine with a menu that is both healthy and flavorful. With dishes ranging from wood-fired pizzas, fresh Greek-style salads, and healthy sandwiches, Aladdin Cafe has something for every appetite. All dishes are prepared fresh with only the best quality ingredients, using healthy Mediterranean staples like olive oil, fresh vegetables, and seafood.

Vegetarian Dishes
A variety of vegetarian-friendly dishes are available. One favorite is Jasmin’s Vegetarian Pizza, which is topped with assorted grilled vegetables, roasted peppers, fresh tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese. Basil and thyme finish it off for a delicious, Mediterranean-inspired flavor.
Or opt for the falafel sandwich. Ground chickpeas and spices are combined into round falafel balls, topped with lettuce and tomatoes, and wrapped in a fresh pita for a savory and filling vegetarian meal.
For a substantial portion of fresh vegetarian ingredients, the Vegetarian Meza Platter incorporates a little of everything into one satisfying meal. Served alongside a roll of fresh pita bread and a side of tahini dressing, enjoy a platter of traditional Mediterranean foods like tabouleh, fattoush, and falafel. This dish gives you a taste of everything and is substantial enough for sharing.

Enjoy the Taste of the Mediterranean at Aladdin Cafe

With something for everybody, Aladdin Cafe proves that healthy food can be truly satisfying and delicious. Incorporate a bit of the Mediterranean into your diet and enjoy improved health and wellness without sacrificing taste.