The Hungry Bites

Mediterranean Food Blog

Homemade Greek Rice Pudding (Rizogalo)

This easy Greek Rice pudding can also be made vegan if you use almond or coconut milk. It can be served warm or chilled but always with lots of cinnamon on top!

Homemade Greek Rice Pudding (Rizogalo) 2

Is there anything better than an easy homemade Greek rice pudding tainted with some cinnamon on top? Every time I make this humble dessert I’m amazed by the fact that just a few, simple and everyday ingredients can be transformed into something so heartwarming and cozy. The best thing about this dessert is that everyone can make it, it’s naturally gluten-free and it can very easily be made vegan. It can also be served warm or cold, but never without a generous amount of ground cinnamon on top.

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Lebanese Rice and Lentil Pilaf (Mujadara) – Vegan

This rice and lentil pilaf is an easy and wholesome recipe based on the traditional Lebanese Mujadara. Some added spices, raisins and nuts make it extra warm and cozy.

Lebanese Rice and Lentil Pilaf (Mujadara) - Vegan

The combination of rice and lentils is not uncommon in many countries of the Mediterranean. In Greece there’s a recipe called fakorizo, which means lentil rice, and is usually made with the leftover Greek lentil soup of the precious day, following the same philosophy as fasoulorizo, the traditional Greek white bean risotto. In Cyprus there’s a similar dish with rice and lentils called Mujendra and in Lebanon there’s Mujadara.

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Healthy Honey-Balsamic skillet chicken with dried fruit

This easy 20-minute honey balsamic glazed chicken with dried fruit is perfect for a quick and healthy weeknight dinner but also ideal for a more special occasion!

Healthy Honey-Balsamic skillet chicken with dried fruit

I just love honey – balsamic glazed chicken!  It’s such a versatile recipe! You can make it in less than 30 minutes for a quick and tasty weeknight dinner, but you can also dress it up with some dried fruit and nuts and serve it for a more special kind of dinner (like Valentine’s Day!).

Not to mention that this is a healthy, low-fat, recipe made in a skillet (minimum cleanup) and everyone seems to love it! However, if you prefer to cook your chicken in the oven, check these sweet bourbon chicken skewers 🙂

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Tahini & Chocolate (or Nutella) stuffed crumble muffins

These easy chocolate stuffed muffins are the perfect dessert for every occasion. Crumbly and tender with a creamy chocolate center, they ’re just irresistible!

Tahini & Chocolate (or Nutella) stuffed crumble muffins 2

Okay, a while ago I did something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time now. I took the recipe for my apple crumble muffins and I substituted a chocolate filling for the apple pie filling. It’s safe to say that my life is complete now 🙂

I mean, this is a delicious, easy to make dessert, with a crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth base and a creamy chocolaty filling, that’s perfect for any occasion, including Valentine’s Day which is just around the corner! And isn’t it great to have a recipe that’s simple enough and doesn’t need much effort, especially on a day you should spend celebrating? That’s why last year, for Valentine’s Day, I made an easy almond milk and chocolate mousse with only 2 basic ingredients and some flavorings. But for this year I wanted something with more texture and with a hidden surprise inside, and I think these muffins won’t disappoint!

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Pastitsio Recipe (Greek Pasta Bake)

The Pastitsio (or Pastichio) is a famous Greek pasta bake with a spiced meat sauce and a silky béchamel. It’s ideal for a delicious Sunday dinner and it also freezes very well.

Pastitsio Recipe (Greek Pasta Bake)

Nothing speaks family dinner better than Pastitsio! This is the food to serve whenever you want your loved ones to sit around the table and offer them a hearty and cozy dinner, a dinner that will warm their hearts and fill their bellies. Guys, there aren’t enough words to describe this recipe! The pasta at the bottom creates the perfect bed for the spiced meat sauce to rest upon, and the silky béchamel coats the whole casserole like a warm and fluffy blanket, resulting in a dish with layers of different flavors and textures making it impossible for anyone not to fall in love with it (can you tell how much I love it?)

Another good thing is that this recipe freezes very well. You can freeze it either unbaked, or bake it and freeze some individual slices. Either way, the best way to thaw it is leaving it overnight in the fridge. You can bake the thawed Pastitsio according to the recipe directions and you can warm the baked, individual slices in the microwaves. The only downside is that it needs some preparation (this is definitely not a 30-minute meal), but with some good scheduling you won’t have any problems and the end result will definitely reward you.

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