Marinating cured olives with local ingredients—such as extra virgin olive oil, garlic, citrus peel, bay leaves, fennel, coriander, and regional herbs—evolved independently across coastal kitchens in Greece, Italy, Spain, and the Levant.
Mama Santelli's Recipes
Mama has included over a hundred recipes from the traditional cuisine of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. The recipes are rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, and olive oil, with moderate amounts of fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy, and limited red meat and sweets. Change these recipes to meet your nutritional needs or create your own. Most of all have fun... "Se cresce vicino al mare e la tua Nonna riesce a pronunciarlo, puoi cucinarlo!" — Mama
Knowing how to interpret nutrition facts is crucial to maintaining a healthy diet. Ignoring nutrition facts may lead to significant over consumption of calories, added sugar, carbohydrates, and other nutrients. That’s why Mama provides information about each recipe’s composition and helps you identify ingredients you prefer to avoid or change.
The line‑by‑line ingredients list lets you compare similar options — choose less sodium or sugar, or add more fiber and protein. Tracking specific nutrients for diabetes or heart health? Use the list to manage your intake.
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Featured Recipes
Mediterranean Marinated Olives
Mediterranean Baked Cod
Tender, flaky cod fillets baked with juicy cherry tomatoes, sweet shallots, garlic, and savory olives in a fragrant olive oil and lemon sauce. This colorful Mediterranean-inspired dish is light, nutritious, and bursting with fresh flavors. An heart-healthy entrée that's perfect for a family dinner.
Chicken With Cucumber-Feta Salad
Feta and olives add briny bites to the creamy, crunchy salad, but feel free to incorporate other elements of Greek salad or tzatziki, like romaine lettuce, bell peppers, mint or dill, toasted walnuts or thinly sliced red onion. Eat with lemon potatoes or toasted pita.
Greek Salad (Traditional Horiatiki)
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.
Pasta E Fagioli
A hearty Italian soup featuring tender ground beef, pasta, kidney beans, and Great Northern beans simmered with fresh vegetables, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs. Finished with Parmesan or Romano cheese, this comforting Mediterranean-inspired favorite is perfect for any season.
Portokalopita - Greek Orange Cake
Portokalopita is one of those desserts that surprises people because it uses shredded phyllo pastry instead of traditional flour. The combination of oranges, Greek yogurt, olive oil, and honey creates a wonderfully moist, fragrant cake.
Moussaka
Moussaka is a wonderful combination of roasted eggplant, richly seasoned meat sauce, and creamy béchamel topped with a golden crust. It's a little more involved than our one-skillet meals, but the results are worth the effort.
Pasta E Ceci
A comforting Italian classic featuring tender chickpeas, small pasta, and aromatic vegetables simmered in a savory tomato and rosemary broth. Finished with extra virgin olive oil, this hearty Mediterranean soup combines rustic flavors and wholesome ingredients for a satisfying, Italian meal.
Baked French Toast
This no-fail, lightened-up overnight baked French toast with fresh fruit and honey-lime syrup is perfect for brunch, holidays, and fuss-free gatherings. Get it ready the night before, then simply pop it in the oven while you enjoy your morning coffee!
Pasta Alla Boscaiola
It’s a rich, hearty, meaty, tomato-based pasta that has quickly become a staple in my weekly pasta rotation. It’s got everything: smoky bites of Italian sausage, crispy bacon, earthy mushrooms, a generous amount of cream, and freshly chopped rosemary.
Chicken With Mushrooms And Snap Peas
This lighter, brighter take on a family favorite: golden-brown chicken cutlets. With a rich, creamy sauce and fresh spring peas, this dish is the perfect representation of the transition from winter to spring.
Braised Escarole
A traditional Italian side dish featuring tender escarole gently braised in olive oil with garlic, red pepper flakes, and a touch of lemon. This simple Mediterranean favorite delivers a delicious balance of slightly bitter greens, savory garlic, and bright citrus flavors.