Mediterranean cuisine encompasses a wide variety of cooking traditions and flavors from the many cultures that circle the Mediterranean Sea. Key features are healthful ingredients like olive oil, lemons, lean meats, garlic, and herbs like oregano and mint. The cuisines that call the Mediterranean home have influenced each other for centuries, borrowing ingredients and cooking styles, from Greek and Sicilian in the northern portion, to Turkish influences in the east (including an adopted Persian delight known as Doogh, a yoghurt-based beverage), to North African flavors and recipes in the southern part of the region. Sail around this exotic and flavorful region with a collection of recipes that cover a lot of delicious territory. Together they make a fun dinner party or a family “trip” around one of history’s most important trade centers.