Many writers define the three central elements of cooking as olives, wheat and grapes, which produce olive oil, bread and pasta, and wine. Many writers define the three main elements of cooking as olives, wheat and grapes, which produce olive oil, bread, pasta and wine; other writers deny that the diverse foods of the Mediterranean basin constitute a cuisine at all. A common definition of the geographical area covered, proposed by David, follows the distribution of the olive tree. In the case of the Middle East, the increasing use of legumes such as lentils for soups and beans for dishes such as ful mudammas is a major factor that distinguishes their cuisine from the Mediterranean diet.
Middle Eastern people don't consume as much pasta, but prefer grains such as bulgur wheat, rice, barley, and wheat berries. This is seen in traditional foods such as mujaddara (lentils and rice cooked with onions and caramelized herbs) and kibbeh bil sanieh (a layered dish with ground beef, wheat and spices). The focus is on fresh products, intense flavors and simple preparation. Basically, Mediterranean cuisine is comprised of plant foods and minimally processed staples, where herbs and spices are essential ingredients. Mediterranean food encompasses the culinary traditions of the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, including Spain, Italy, Greece, Egypt, Turkey and Morocco, among others.
This diverse cuisine shares certain common characteristics that make it distinct and attractive. It emphasizes the use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients, such as olive oil, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish and lean meats. The mild climate of the Mediterranean region also contributes to the rich variety of flavors by allowing the cultivation of a large amount of fruits, herbs and spices. Healthy Mediterranean cuisine includes the cuisines of all the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Syria, Israel, Egypt, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia and Morocco.
In addition, the Mediterranean diet encompasses more than just food; for this reason, it is often described as a way of life. The Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions are geographically close, which has cultivated similarities in their cuisines over the centuries. Studies have also shown that people who follow a Mediterranean diet have a 33% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease due to nutrients and vitamins. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with cognitive benefits and evidence suggests that this type of diet may help protect against cognitive decline and dementia.
Herbs and condiments are essential in Mediterranean cuisine because they enhance the flavor of the food. At one point, the Ottoman Empire, based in Turkey, ruled all of Greece's southern and eastern Mediterranean, leaving a common cultural influence. Relationships between the Mediterranean dietary pattern and insulin resistance and the incidence of diabetes in the multiethnic study of atherosclerosis (MESA). Your dishes will not only taste great, but they will also have a touch of freshness typical of Mediterranean cuisine.
The study on the primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases with a Mediterranean diet (PREDIMED) is one of the best-known studies to examine the effects of the Mediterranean diet on health. That is, the diet of people living along the Mediterranean Sea, from Spain to Morocco, passing through Italy, Greece, Tunisia and other countries. Essid identifies the trinity of basic ingredients in traditional Mediterranean cuisine such as olives, wheat and grapes, which produce oil, bread and wine, respectively. Grapes are mainly cultivated to make wine and vinegar as basic components of the Mediterranean diet, as well as to be dried as raisins or eaten as table grapes.
Finally, in an authentic Mediterranean dish that includes pasta, the pasta must be cooked al dente, that is, tender, but still firm. The staples of the Mediterranean diet include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, seafood, nuts and legumes, and olive oil.
