July 31 - Aug 6: Mediterranean

For our very first theme, we've selected a global region that is diverse, delicious, and brimming with possibilities: the Mediterranean!

According to Wikipedia, the full list of "Mediterranean Countries" is vast, and it spans Europe, Asia, and Africa:

• Spain
• France
• Monaco
• Italy
• Malta
• Croatia
• Slovenia
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Montenegro
• Albania
• Greece
• Cyprus
• Turkey
• Syria
• Lebanon
• Israel
• Egypt
• Libya
• Tunisia
• Algeria
• Morocco

Although the "Mediterranean Diet" has recently become something of a fad in the U.S.-- even the Mayo Clinic touts the heart-healthy benefits of a plant-based diet rich in healthy fats-- the truth is that Mediterranean cuisine is as varied as the countries that created them.  There's something for everyone to cook in our first theme, from tried-and-true Italian favorites:

Perfect Marinara Sauce, foodnetwork.com

to dishes with African flair:

Root Vegetable Tagine with Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Turnips, and Spice-Roasted Chickpeas, Epicurious.com

There's even a great collection of Superfast Mediterranean Recipes at Cooking Light, all of which promise to take just 20 minutes or less.

Herbed Greek Chicken Salad, CookingLight.com

 With so many choices, we can't wait to see what you'll come up with! We'll be reporting on our own progress throughout the week right here on the blog.  Happy Cooking!