The health benefits of the Mediterranean diet are well-known and a new cookbook helps scale down some favorite recipes when cooking for one. The Ultimate Mediterranean Diet Cooking for One Cookbook by Kelly Jaggers features 175 easy to make, delicious recipes for those cooking solo. From veggie-packed breakfast sandwiches to salmon with spinach and chickpeas, the recipes offer all the great flavors of the Mediterranean for all skill levels in the kitchen. Published by Simon & Schuster’s Adams Media imprint, the book is due out on June 13.

Cookbook author Jaggers is also a recipe developer, food photographer, food stylist, and founder of the recipe blog Evil Shenanigans (EvilShenanigans.com). She is the author of The Everything® Pie Cookbook, Not-So-Humble Pies, Moufflet, The Everything® Easy Asian Cookbook, The Everything® Dutch Oven Cookbook, and The Everything® Easy Instant Pot Cookbook. She is also a cooking instructor, personal chef, and caterer. Kelly lives in Dallas, Texas.

Jaggers spoke with The National Herald about how she selected which recipes to include, her favorites, and what she is working on next.

TNH: How did you choose what recipes to include in the book?

Kelly Jaggers: I start my books by thinking about what would make me happy if I was using this book. I like variety, main dishes and side dishes that work well together, and food that is fun to make and eat. I also love breakfast and dessert, so those were a priority to include in this book. I wanted The Ultimate Mediterranean Diet Cooking for One Cookbook to be a book that people can turn to multiple times per week, and I also hope it can be useful resource for people looking for ways to reduce food waste while enjoying a variety of tasty meals.

TNH: What are some of your favorites?

KJ: It is difficult to choose! For breakfast I love the Whole Grain Pancakes with Berry Sauce. Pancakes are my very favorite thing for breakfast, and these are fluffy and very satisfying. The Berry Sauce is one of my favorite things and I have also made it as a topping for plain Greek yogurt.

For a snack I adore the Muhammara (Roasted Red Pepper Spread) with pita chips for dipping or the Veggie Lovers Pita Pizza Bites!

For main meals I love the Fettuccini with Greek Yogurt Alfredo Sauce whenever I am craving comfort food. It is perfectly creamy and satisfying. I also love the Black Bean Tostadas with Corn and Tomato when I want Tex-Mex. The crisp tostada and spicy beans are a combination I come back to again and again!

From the desserts chapter, Dark Chocolate Mousse is probably my very favorite. I have doubled the recipe and served it for guests and they have no idea that the secret ingredient to the rich texture is silken tofu!

TNH: What are you working on next? 

KJ: I am currently working on some photography projects and I am about to start working on recipes for a back-to-school event to be released later this year.

More information about The Ultimate Mediterranean Diet Cooking for One Cookbook by Kelly Jaggers is available online: https://bit.ly/3ooQPyw.