(Vegetarian) Moussaka

Well, I hope you really like eggplant! Moussaka is an Arabic world, and there are many, many forms of moussaka, but the most common is the Greek variety. It's an eggplant based dish with tomato, ground meat, and a bechamel sauce. Of course, being one of those funny non-meat eaters, I've chosen to make a vegetarian version of this classic - and at the same time, make it a bit healthier! It still features eggplant and tomato, but with a leaner bechamel and bulgur in the place of meat.

And, of course, bulgur is a cereal or wheat grain. It comes in a few forms and is most commonly found in middle eastern food, making it an appropriate stand-in for meat in this classically Greek dish. It actually has a similar texture and color but will taste more like quinoa or a cous cous.

Difficulty: medium
Time: 1 hr 40 min
Cost: $13.20

Vegetable Paella

That's right - this is a vegetable paella. No seafood, no chorizo, no meat of any kind. It might not be the most traditional Spanish dish in this form, but it still keeps some essentials - rice, saffron, olive oil - and fills the rest of the dish with flavorful Mediterranean vegetables. However, if you truly do not want to go the vegetarian route, you can always follow the recipe below but toss in your favorite protein to go with it.

I made some macadamia crusted tilapia on the side, which is reflected in the cost below, but really this meal would go with anything or stand on its own. Paella can easily be the entree, and most usually is, actually, but it can also pair well with a co-entree like a nice fillet of fish.

Difficulty: easy
Time: 45 min
Cost: $16.35

Grape Relish Grilled Salmon with Stuffed Zucchini and Lemon Squares

Surprisingly, or perhaps it really shouldn't be, grilled salmon pairs very well with grapes. I have to admit I wouldn't have thought of the combination on my own, but after seeing it listed in a recipe I was curious to test it out and see how it tasted. Turns out, it tastes quite yummy! The crisp, spring grapes complement the rich texture of the salmon, imparting a sweetness without overwhelming the natural taste of the fish. It's light and refreshing while providing a unique and delicious main dish.

To go with the salmon, I used some fresh farmer's market zucchini, stuffed with some artichokes and a bit of panko and cheese for a perfect combination. It's healthy and filling all at once. And, of course, it led up to the dessert: lemon squares. One of the ultimate summer delights, I lightened up the recipe (although it's still a far cry from being healthy) so that you can eat a square without too much guilt. And lemon really is one of the perfect summer treats.

Difficulty: easy-medium
Time: 2 hr
Cost: $15.63

Grilled Fig, Onion, and Tomato Salad

(Yes, I forgot the picture, forgive me...)

The Mediterranean knows how to do many things right, and figs are just one more example of their amazing food prowess. These delightful treats are sticky and sweet, reminiscent of dessert, but blend perfectly in savory dishes as well for a main meal dish rather than just a sweet post-dinner treat. Here, I combine them with vidalia onions, also grilled, and some fresh tomatoes, ripe and delicious at the peak of their season. The flavors are all sweet and savory at the same time, with varying textures that combine for a delightful treat.

I made this salad alongside some fresh swordfish, tossed onto the new grills on my roof deck. I simply marinated them in some white wine and garlic and then grilled them - leaving them with slight char marks on the outside from the grill but juicy and tender in the middle. The Mediterranean is definitely not a bad place to mimic when it comes to food.

Difficulty: easy
Time: 15 minutes
Cost: $19

Avocado Tuna Melts with Sauteed Spinach and Raisins

That's right - this post is all about a tuna melt. It's a humble sandwich, a favorite of kids, but it remains near and dear to my heart. Unfortunately, when you get one out, it is often soaked in mayonnaise, stuffed with salt, and just unnecessarily unhealthy without adding true flavor. This one isn't perfect in the health department, but it's a far cry from the norm. I lighten up the tuna, focusing on using high quality tuna (yes, still from a can) that carries its own weight and doesn't need a lot of dressing up. I add tomatoes and avocado, in abundance, because hey, I love them. Finally, I select nice, fresh French bread and a lower fat cheese that's not heavy on salt. And in the end, the tuna melt exactly hits the spot.

To go with the sandwiches, I sauteed some spinach but added some sweetness through raisins. Toss in a couple other contrasting flavors, and you're set. This side is simple to prepare, keeping this entire meal easy to make, but adds some important nutrients without sucking up too many more calories.

Difficulty: easy
Time: 25 min
Cost: $14.08

Spiced Salmon with Mushroom-Chive-Cheese Quesadilla and Grilled Zucchini and Red Onion

Cheese? Check. Fresh vegetables? Check. Spice mix? Check. Mushrooms? Check. With those ingredients, I'm getting excited without even knowing what the final product will be! And did I mention the cheese is melted?

I continued my foray into exotic cheeses, blending them in a quesadilla with a variety of exotic mushrooms and some fresh chives for a delicious, savory treat. These were served along with grilled fresh zucchini and onion, tossed in a delightful, light sauce that provides just the right amount of flavor for these summer vegetables. Finally, there's the salmon. Fresh, fish market fillets, coated with a rich array of spices that provide a lot of flavor (and not sodium.) This meal is simple to put together yet healthy and delicious!

Difficulty: easy
Time: 30 min
Cost: $12.65

Triple Mushroom-Tofu Stir Fry with Fresh Cambodian Summer Rolls

Mushrooms are delicious. This is what I have to say about this meal. I happen to love some well-cooked tofu, adore vegetable stir-fry, and get very excited by fresh summer rolls, but it's really the mushrooms that always bring meals into my heart. Ever since I was a kid, I've loved these fungi, and this recipe show cases the delight of a variety of fresh mushrooms perfectly. And, as an extra bonus, it was so flavorful that it won over a non-tofu eater to admit that eating tofu as the protein of a meal just isn't so bad. Now if I could just convince him that vegetables are enough, too....

The recipe is presented below as I made it, but keep in mind that with meals such as these, creativity is welcome and encouraged. You can use vegetables you have on hand and add or take away or substitute at well. Just keep the mushrooms! The same holds true of the fresh summer rolls. I included shrimp, some fresh herbs, and some veggies but you can mix it up here as well. As always, if you come up with something good please share it in the comment so we can all try it next time!

Difficulty: medium
Time: 1 hr
Cost: $27.34

Truffled Roasted Potatoes

A simple recipe for today! It's time to pull out the trusty favorite - roasted potatoes. They're delicious, about as healthy as potatoes can get, and simple to prepare. Sure, they take a little bit of time to roast but while they're roasting you can be off doing other things around the house. These are a low maintenance food! And, in this recipe, they're also jazzed up a bit. Rather than simply roasting plain potatoes, or potatoes with a touch of pepper or garlic, I give them a subtle truffle taste. Truffle oil is expensive, but it's also incredibly flavorful, meaning you only need a little to make a difference. That holds true here. Just a dab of this delicacy infuses the potatoes with an unusual, earth-y but delightful taste, that will leave you craving more.

I paired these potatoes with some cajun catfish, one of my favorite standbys, and some freshly sauteed broccoli rabe with garlic. The entire meal came together in under an hour, kept my wallet from getting too light, and still served its purpose in a delicious and healthy homemade meal.

Difficulty: easy
Time: 45 min
Cost: $17.57