Mediterranean Meal Ideas?

I've been reading up on the benefits of the French and Mediterranean diets, in comparison to that of the American diet, and I was wondering if anyone knew of any meal combinations that I could try. I found one, a "Ploughman's Lunch" that consisted of bread, cheese, pickles, salad, and fruit, and it sounds great, but I would like some more suggestions, if anyone out there has a few...Mediterranean Meal Ideas?
These are some really yummy mediterranean meals :) hope you enjoy them :)



http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1639,134鈥?/a>



http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1748,134鈥?/a>



http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1943,139鈥?/a>



http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,1644,1321鈥?/a>Mediterranean Meal Ideas?
Ed, Mediterranean cuisine is healthy, the french tend to add a lot of butter in a lot of their dishes. There is also what is known as the Antipasto, which is basically the salami, mortadella, provolone, olives, crusty bread and a glass of a good read.



Then you go to the kitchen, and you have the minestrone, the rabbit could in wine, the game meats, and the list goes on. No butter used in any of them. Just a little good Olive Oil (extra Virgin is what I use).Mediterranean Meal Ideas?
Greek Chicken with Potatoes with a Greek Salad

Fennel, Orange and Mint Salad

Couscous, Cucumber and Mint Salad

Fish stuffed with herbs and lemon, fresh green bean salad with gorgonzola, lemon, basil and proscuitto.

Scallops browned in olive oil, served with spinach sauted in olive oil, garlic, and sprinkled with a bit of fresh lemon juice.

Shrimp Fra Diablo

Beef Short Ribs braised with Chianti, tomatoes and rosemary or thyme, bib lettuce salad with fennel, mint and basil with a light lemon and olive oil vinaigrette.

Shrimp cooked with a cilantro tomato sauce served with toast points with pesto baked on them.

Leg of lamb cooked with rosemary, garlic, salt and pepper. Roasted fennel topped with parmesan.

White bean soup sprinkled with a little Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Grilled chicken served with hummus and warm pita bread.



You can always look up Italian and Greek foods for recipes.



Now French food would be a lot different than Mediterranean foods. Lots of cream and butter used in the cooking.Mediterranean Meal Ideas?
A lot of chicken, fish, and olive oil. Look up greek recipes to get an idea of a good mediterranean diet.