My love language is cooking for people I love and putting a smile on their faces. Ever since I was little that has brought me so much joy and fulfillment.
I am so grateful to be living in a city with so many of my close friends, so I thought I would bring a in a new series — cooking for friends! This will consist of recipes that feed larger groups of people (6-8), and are guaranteed to put a smile on their faces.
I have had such a craving for mediterranean bowls lately — if you know me you knowwww I love a big bowl of a bunch of different things: grains, proteins, toppings, dips, it is one of my favorite meals. Just always so satisfying. A build-your-own typa vibe. Summer really makes me crave Mediterranean because it’s light it’s fresh it’s herbaceous and flavorful, and most importantly jam packed with pickled&vinegary delicious toppings (well at least my bowl is sky-piled high with that). Since it is a build your own, it is a meal that will please quite literally everyone because they can add or not add to their liking. From the pickiest eaters to the crazy flavor mixologist, everyone is happy.
For dessert — I was inspired by the ABUNDANCE of apricots I had. I have friends who have a peach/cherry/apricot farm (huge flex I know I love them so much and their farm is so beautiful, PeachesLA if you don’t already know them, they have amazing U-Pick events so go check out their Instagram!) These apricots are unlike anything they are perfectly sweet, tart and juicy and I knew I wanted to use them in my dessert without drowning out their flavor, so an Apricot Crumble it was. This is one of my favorite and simple ways to highlight a seasonal fruit especially in the summertime (queue all the berries)! It’s light, delicious & it is best served with a big dollop of fresh whipped cream or vanilla bean ice cream.
Summer is a time of love, laughter, and gathering, and what better to do that than cook for friends. So let’s get into it!!! Time to feed the fam :)
PS — ALWAYS start out the evening with an appy (appetizer). and/or a really good bev. Today’s was a simple little charcuchie/snack-plate thing to make it easy because I was more focused on the main event but at least it was SOMETHING
Watch me make everything here.
Mediterranean Bowl
Okay this meal has a lot of components but don’t get overwhelmed. This is what I recommend step wise:
At least 4 hrs before cooking: Start with marinating the chicken
1-2 hrs before cooking: Prep the veggies, dips, and toppings and store in the fridge
1 hr before eating: Cook the chicken
30 mins before eating: Cook the rice
30 mins before eating: While those two are cooking — prep the dessert
Build your bowls!!!!!
After dinner, bake the dessert
Whip the cream
Serve the dessert!!!!
This splits it up to be easy, less complicated, and have everything ready on time!
For the Chicken
Ingredients
