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.
At Aladdin Cafe, it’s common to have difficulty choosing a meal to eat. After all, all of our dishes use only premium quality fresh ingredients for recipes crafted by the top chefs in San Diego, with each meal igniting your palette thanks to our bold flavors. To make your meal choice a bit easier the next time you stop in for a bite, check out these three flavorful dishes that our customers can’t stop raving about.
It’s safe to say you haven’t experienced real pizza until you’ve tried Aladdin’s Pizza. Our signature pizza starts with our homemade dough that we lather in a sauce that includes over 12 flavor profiles. Our sauce features a blend of herbs and spices that include thyme, oregano, sesame seeds and a helping of extra virgin oil. We finish off this artisan pizza with a topping of fresh Roma tomatoes and some feta cheese. The result is a scrumptious pizza that has a satisfying crunch while also melting in your mouth. If you’re looking for an extra boost of flavor, add some marinated chicken or beef pepperoni. Whether it’s for a table of one or an entire family, Aladdin’s Pizza will leave your whole party with a full belly and a warm smile.
Shawerma finally hit the big time in 2012 thanks to a hilarious post-credits scene in Disney’s “The Avengers.” Whether you’ve been wanting to try shawarma since seeing that scene in the theaters or you’re just looking for a delicious piece of meat, our lamb shawarma is one of the best. The star of this dish is the marinated strips of lamb and beef, grilled to perfection on a vertical spit. We serve our shawarma with an array of sides that compliment the meat, including our homemade tahini sauce. Alongside the tahini sauce is a side of hummus, a delicious mixture made of garbanzo beans, tahini sauce, fresh garlic, lemon and olive oil. We top off the meal with a plate of Lebanese salad along with a delicious slice of piping hot pita bread fresh from our oven. Not to mention lamb shawarma calories are low and healthy.
With two skewers of mouth-watering food with each order of the koufta kabob, this meal makes the perfect dish for a date night. However, it’s also an ideal choice for one famished customer! On each koufta kabob is a delicious tower comprised of ground beef and grilled onions which are both smothered in parsley and our signature seven spices. While these kabobs are delicious enough on their own, we also add in a generous serving of basmati rice. Basmati rice differs from your average rice thanks to its slender and long grains, which give it a unique look and texture. You’ll want to save some room for the rest of the sides that come with this meal such as hummus, tomatoes and Lebanese salad. Like the majority of our entrees at the Aladdin Cafe, you’ll also receive a fresh piece of delicious pita bread with your koufta kabob dish.
Arabic food comes from a rich history and tradition, making it one of the most famous cuisines around the world today. Arabic food is a variety of traditional dishes coming from various areas in the Middle East. Traditionally, Arabic cuisine relied mainly on local ingredients available along the Arabian Peninsula such as wheat, dates, rice, barley and meat, making their meals a healthy choice.
One of the most essential parts of Arabic food is the concept of generosity, as well as hospitality. Food is shared and enjoyed by the whole family and friends. Today, it is easy to enjoy authentic and delicious Arabic dishes anytime and anywhere. Whenever you are in San Diego, California take the time to visit Aladdin Mediterranean Restaurant for an experience that is unlike any other.