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🍋 Mediterranean & Global Flavours
This space is all about the flavors that anchor my kitchen and inspire the way I cook. Rooted in Mediterranean traditions but open to the wider world, these are the tastes I return to again and again—fresh herbs, good olive oil, comforting spices, and ingredients that feel both nourishing and transportive.
Rather than following strict rules or chasing perfection, I cook with curiosity and intention. Some nights it’s a simple mezze plate built from pantry staples; other times it’s a dish inspired by a place I’ve traveled to, read about, or dreamed of visiting. This page reflects that balance—grounded, flexible, and always guided by flavor.
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🌍 Flavor Foundations I Reach For
At the heart of Mediterranean cooking — and many global cuisines — is a small collection of ingredients that do a lot of heavy lifting. These are the flavors I return to again and again when I want food that feels vibrant, comforting, and rooted in place. They’re the building blocks behind countless meals, whether I’m cooking something familiar or experimenting with a new cuisine.
Rather than strict rules, think of these as flavor anchors — ingredients that help meals feel intentional and well-balanced, even when you’re cooking on instinct.
🫒 Mediterranean Staples (The Core)
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Olive oil (always the starting point)
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Garlic & onion
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Lemon (juice + zest)
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Fresh herbs (or dried when needed)
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Tomatoes (fresh or canned)
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Grains like rice, couscous, or farro
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Yogurt, feta, or simple cheeses
These ingredients form the backbone of many meals I make — simple, flexible, and endlessly adaptable.
🌍 Global Flavor Boosters (The Experiment Layer)
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Warm spices (cumin, paprika, cinnamon)
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Soy sauce or tamari
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Coconut milk/cream
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Ginger & chili pastes
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Vinegars beyond balsamic
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Teas, syrups, or flavorings tied to specific regions
I don’t aim for authenticity as much as inspiration — borrowing flavors respectfully and adapting them to what I have.
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🌿 Seasonal Flavors & Twists
Eating seasonally keeps your meals fresh, vibrant, and inspired by the rhythms of nature. Even when focusing on Mediterranean and global flavors, swapping in seasonal produce can transform a simple dish into something extraordinary.
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Spring: Tender greens like asparagus, peas, and spinach; fresh herbs such as mint, parsley, and dill bring brightness.
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Summer: Juicy tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, and fresh basil dominate; berries and stone fruits make perfect sweet snacks or dessert components.
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Autumn: Root vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, and beets; apples, pears, and squash add warmth and depth.
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Winter: Hearty greens like kale and cabbage; winter squash and citrus fruits provide brightness, while preserved foods help sustain cozy flavors.
Using seasonal ingredients not only enhances your dishes but also makes cooking feel more connected to the natural world and the ever-changing pantry of flavors.
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✈️ Inspired by Places, Books & Curiosity
My Mediterranean-inspired cooking is deeply rooted in a love of place — even when I haven’t been there yet. I’m drawn to the flavors of coastal kitchens, sun-warmed markets, and simple home-style meals from around the world. Many of these inspirations come to me through books, stories, and quiet moments of imagining what life (and food) might look like somewhere else.
Sometimes that spark begins with a novel set in Italy, a romance unfolding in Greece, or a story that lingers on a shared meal just long enough to make me curious. A single line about a dish, a café, or a family recipe can send me down a research rabbit hole, learning about ingredients, traditions, and the everyday rhythms of cooking in that place.
Other times, inspiration starts closer to home — with one ingredient in my pantry. A jar of olives, a new spice, or a bottle of olive oil can quietly suggest a direction, nudging me toward a familiar Mediterranean flavor or encouraging me to explore something new from another cuisine.
This is where food becomes a form of armchair travel for me. Cooking is a way to explore culture, comfort, and connection without leaving my kitchen — to experience a sense of place through taste, texture, and ritual. My meals don’t aim to be perfectly authentic or strictly traditional; instead, they’re guided by curiosity, respect, and a love of storytelling through food.
Not every dish fits neatly into one cuisine, and that’s part of the joy. My kitchen is a meeting place — where Mediterranean roots, global flavors, and bookish inspiration come together in ways that feel cozy, thoughtful, and entirely my own.
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🍽️ Bringing It Back to the Table
At the heart of my kitchen is the idea that food doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful. Whether I’m leaning into Mediterranean staples or borrowing inspiration from kitchens around the world, every dish is about comfort, curiosity, and care.
This space isn’t about perfection or rigid rules — it’s about learning as you go, trusting your instincts, and letting food be a way to slow down and reconnect. Some days that looks like a simple mezze-style meal made from pantry staples; other days it’s experimenting with a new flavor inspired by a book, a place, or a passing curiosity.
No matter where the inspiration starts, everything eventually comes back to the table — a place to nourish yourself, create small rituals, and enjoy the process as much as the final dish.
✨ If you’d like to see how these flavors show up month to month, you can explore the Chapter & Compass Monthly Table, where I share seasonal menus, featured recipes, and cozy kitchen inspiration throughout the year.
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