Mediterranean Meatball Greek Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between Mediterranean and Greek salad? ›

The primary difference lies in the use of specific ingredients. While both salads incorporate fresh vegetables and olive oil, Greek salad is characterized by the addition of feta cheese and Kalamata olives, giving it a uniquely Greek flavour.

A traditional Greek salad consists of sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, green bell pepper, red onion, olives, and feta cheese. This classic combination is delicious, so I stick to it, just adding a handful of mint leaves for a fresh finishing touch.

Ground meat: I use a combination of lean ground beef and ground lamb or pork. Egg: 1 egg goes into the meatball mixture, and we use an egg yolk to thicken the lemon sauce at the end. Herbs: Fresh mint brightens the recipe while dried oregano provides an earthy element.

Conclusion. Greek salad is much more than a simple dish; it's a powerhouse of nutrients, offering myriad health benefits ranging from improved heart health to weight management. By making it a regular part of your diet, you can enjoy these benefits while indulging in one of the Mediterranean's most beloved dishes.

Most Greek salad dressing recipes are vinaigrettes made with olive oil and vinegar. Our Greek salad dressing also contains lemon juice, salt, pepper, mustard, garlic and oregano. Some variations include feta cheese or herbs like basil.

Red Onions: Thinly sliced red onion adds a needed bite and balance to this salad. Try not to substitute in a white or yellow onion since it has less natural sweetness. If you need a substitute, use shallots. Green Pepper: Bell peppers add some added crunch and sweetness to this salad.

In Greece, Horiatiki or Greek village salad, is served most often from early spring through summer and up until mid fall. It's truly the best use of the season's produce, like crunchy cucumbers, sweet tomatoes, and earthy green bell peppers. I know you'll love it as much as I do.

In most regions, meatballs are just fried and eaten as is—enjoyed as a snack or served as a second course without any sauce.

However, combinations of pasta with meat date back at least to the Middle Ages, and pasta (including long pasta) dishes with tomato sauce and different types of meatballs are documented in certain Italian regions and in modern Italian cookbooks as maccheroni alle polpette (translated as 'spaghetti and meatballs') and ...

When it comes to adding liquid to meatball mixtures, milk is often used for its versatility, depth of flavor, and richness. Without the use of milk, you may be faced with a plate of dry meatballs. Milk adds a certain level of moisture that helps produce perfectly tender meatballs.

Is it OK to eat meatballs everyday? ›

Meatballs are often high in sodium and fat, but they are also a good source of protein. Choose meatballs made with leaner meats or eat them in moderation.

A typical serving of white spaghetti (2 cups) with 8 meatballs (6 ounces), sauce (3/4 cup) and Parmesan cheese (2 tablespoons), garlic bread, and iceberg lettuce salad has, on average, a whopping 1,495 calories, 70 fat grams, and more than a day's worth of sodium, yet it's shy in vitamins, minerals and other good ...

The Bottom Line

If you're eating for a healthy heart, lean ground turkey—which is lower in saturated fat—is the better pick for you. Of course, you can still enjoy ground beef from time to time, but choosing lean ground turkey more often will help your heart in the long run.

In short, Greek food is Mediterranean food—but all Mediterranean food is not the same as Greek food. Countries across the sea use many of the same ingredients, but regional variations on both the variety of fruit, vegetables, grains, spices, and seafood give each country its own unique dishes.

I make my Mediterranean Chopped Salad with simple vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions mixed with chickpeas, feta cheese, and olives and toss it all in an herby, lemony vinaigrette! All you have to do is chop all the ingredients, make the dressing, and then mix everything together right before you serve it.

Mediterranean cuisine uses more sweet and aromatic spices, such as oregano, thyme, basil, coriander, paprika, fennel, tarragon, sage, and rosemary. Another main difference is seafood.

However, the Mediterranean Diet is based primarily on the traditional cuisines of Italy, Greece, Spain, and southern France, excluding those of the Eastern European, Middle Eastern, and African countries in the region.