It’s no surprise that many of us associate Mediterranean food with the climate: summer, sea and sun. And so it’s no revelation that such climate agrees with eating lite: that is, more fruit, more vegetables, less meat.
But what happens once winter arrives? Besides the rainy days, the cloudy skies, the longer nights, we crave comfort foods—ones rich in starches and meats—that warm the bitter winter blues out of us. During these chilly months, our craving for warm but weighty foods often leads us to eat less vegetables and more meat. So what’s a chilled-to-the-bone New Yorker to do to stay healthy? Here’s the answer: a Mediterranean winter diet?
Below are some comforting meaty and vegetable dishes you’d find in the Mediterranean during winter that Bodrum also offers. Yes, you can have your comfort food and healthy benefits too.
Beans are your friend
Beans are the new meat in winter. Traditional ways of preparing them are in the form of thick soups such as this lentil soup or roasted beans. Bodrum’s homemade red lentil soup will warm those chills out of you, fill your need for protein, and energize you without the full feeling.
Cruciferous vegetables the Turkish way 
Cruciferous vegetables are rich in nutrients, including several carotenoids (beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin); vitamins C, E, and K; folate; and minerals. They are also known to fight cancer. Cabbage is one of the most powerful cruciferous vegetables. A popular Greek and Turkish winter dish that we make at Bodrum is cabbage stuffed with ground lamb, rice, & fresh herbs; then served with yogurt and tomato sauce. We eat it once a week during winter to protect us from colds and flus.
The right salads
Forget the Greek salad. Eat fresh, seasonal romaine. Our Mediterranean mixed salad has romaine lettuce, beets, carrots, French feta, marinated red cabbage, & olives—finished with olive oil-herb dressing. Our yesil salad also contains romaine lettuce, but it is served with oil cured black olives, dill, scallions, cucumbers, & crumbled French feta cheese—all finished with a Mediterranean dressing. Both are loaded with cancer fighting beta-carotene and vitamin C.
Meat without the heavy sauces
Every winter, we love braising our Turkish lamb shank, slowly cooked in tomato herb sauce; served with Israeli couscous laden with pine nuts, raisins & dill. Another winter favorite is our Kofte, a cumin spiced grilled lamb served with fries and salad. Last, no winter is complete without a soul-warming lamb tagine. We take cubes of lamb shoulder, braised them with carrots, green peas, peppers & cilantro; served with Turkish rice. These meat dishes are ideal for winter because they are packed with proteins and vitamins to keep you healthy, especially when there’s little sunlight.
Drink your herbs
Greeks and Turks are known for drinking a lot of herbal teas and strong coffee during the cold months. Some of our favorites include chamomile or our Turkish coffee. These teas are consumed sometimes with a bit of honey.
Come join us at Bodrum for some fresh Mediterranean food for winter that’ll keep you healthy and warm all winter long. Visit us at bodrumnyc.com.
