4 Stars – Simple, Delicious, and Inspiring

7-Ingredient Mediterranean by Cider Mill Press is a beautiful and accessible cookbook that makes healthy cooking feel completely doable. With just seven ingredients per recipe, this book strips away the intimidation factor and focuses on fresh, flavorful Mediterranean dishes that are easy to prepare.

The photography is vibrant and really brings the recipes to life—I just wish there were more photos throughout! That said, the layout is clean, the instructions are straightforward, and the ingredients are easy to find.

There are several recipes I’m excited to try, and I appreciate how the book emphasizes whole foods without sacrificing taste. It’s a great addition for anyone looking to simplify their cooking while still enjoying rich, satisfying meals.

Highly recommended for home cooks who want approachable, delicious Mediterranean recipes with minimal fuss. I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Very good cookbook for intermediate chefs. Would be great for people with a desire to cook Mediterranean cuisine. Too advised for a beginning cookers but packed full of great recipes. Includes bonus section at the end of short recipes and a conversions table.
Cool font, colors, and pictures used.

As someone, who loves cooking and Mediterranean, this book is a dream! You get everything: from the simplest appetisers, to more complex main dishes and sweet desserts! In the recipes, the ingredients are mostly simple and accessible. I really liked the simplicity of the recipes and the minimalistic style the recipes are written in, but I am missing descriptions of recipes, just so I know what I'm preparing. I like a little history behind the dish, or different variations and so on. On that note, I wish there were more pictures. Yes, they are really aesthetically pleasing, but once again - for many of those dishes I wasn't sure how they looked and if I was to prepare them, I wouldn't know, what they are supposed to look like.

I had super high hopes for this one. Some of the best dishes I've had are from the Mediterranean region. However, this entire cookbook was a mess. First, the ingredients were poorly listed, with the main list above and the "to taste" list at the bottom. This led to some confusion when reading thru the directions. Speaking of directions, these were written in the style of someone literally translating another language into English. "Distribute the herbs on the platter" made me chuckle. Another issue I had was the organization. I appreciate the simple headers: Appetizers, Entrees, etc.. However, the layout in each section had no direction. Maybe just me, but I would have grouped similar dishes together (meat, chicken, seafood) within the sections. Instead, it's all over the place. Something that irked me was the need to list a recipe like Chicken Thighs with Pistachio Raisin Sauce, but the recipe for the sauce isn't next to the main recipe, instead it's in the section called Appendix.

Finally, they list a recipe for "Panzarella." Um, what?! it's Panzanella, cmon on people

These recipes are quick with few ingredients. I was inspired to cook a few of the new and staples using less, but packed with flavor. I am always looking for efficient and healthy recipes to make for lunches.


Thank you NetGalley!

What a wonderful concept, but terribly executed. The pictures felt lazy, the recipes felt uninspired, and the level of detail was absent in both the description and the steps. A few recipes in, I had to ask if this was AI-generated - it lacked passion and excitement.

This cookbook has so many simple recipes that I think anyone at any skill level could enjoy. I love the flavor pairings and the fresh, unique ideas here. This cookbook is like the flavors of the season laid out in a simple, easy to prepare (and shop for) way.
My favorites are the grilled fruit salads and the easy to prepare snacks.

Thank you to NetGalley and Cider Mill Press for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 Stars

This is a fun Mediterranean inspired cookbook and I am always looking for quick recipes with fewer ingredients. The limited ingredient list does not mean the recipes are simple boring or flavorless. There is a very nice variety of options with sections covering appetizers, salads, sides, entrees, desserts, and sauces. Each recipe has a serving size, active and total cook time, full ingredient list and easy to follow instructions. The instructions are a tad wordy for my liking but that's a personal preference. My biggest gripe is the lack of photos. When they are included the art work is stunning but they are only added for about 1/3 of the recipes. I do think photos need to be included especially when dishes have original ethnic names that some of us are not familiar with. I don't want to google a recipe to see what it should look like. This definitely has some recipes I will be adding to my rotation.

The presentation is... A choice.

So the title and the introduction indicated that the authors thought they were making an introduction to Mediterranean cooking, but based on my experiences with the theoretical intended audience for this book, In the grand scheme of cookbooks there are barely any photos, and I guess they assume you'll google the recipe for photos, but then why not just get the recipe from google. Also, and I say this as a person whose pans are only cast iron, there are some interesting equipment choices made in this book. The cast iron sticks in my head simply because frequently people new to cooking do very interesting things to cast iron (like throwing them into the dishwasher. Please do not do that.) And who on earth puts a whole octopus in a cookbook for people new to that kind of cooking?

Lots of delicious achievable recipes. Nothing too difficult - can be made by even the most novice of cooks

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks, Cider Mill Press, for the opportunity to review this cookbook. I love Mediterranean cooking and was intrigued by the premise of a cookbook with 7-ingredient recipies. However, I felt they were a bit too simplistic to appeal to me.

Mediterranean Cuisine or Mediterranean Confusion?

When Ingredients Don’t Belong
The book is not Mediterranean-inspired; it aims to be Mediterranean cuisines, which means ingredients should reflect what’s native, traditionally used, or can be grown/harvested in the region. But this book tosses in acorn squash, snap peas, Brussels sprouts, mahi-mahi, halibut, passion fruit, and, worst of all, avocado oil everywhere, while the Mediterranean is famous for its olive oil.

Mediterranean… But Mostly Italy?
The book opens by reminding us that the Mediterranean spans 21 countries, but I can’t help noticing the recipe selection leans heavily — perhaps overwhelmingly — towards Italian cuisine. I was hoping for a more balanced map of flavours.

However,
I actually enjoyed the variety of new recipes I hadn’t seen before, especially those using very common ingredients found in almost every Middle Eastern household. For anyone wanting to enjoy and understand the Mediterranean diet, there’s a lot to like here. Most recipes are super easy to make, requiring little time making them perfect for whipping up late-night snacks or early-morning bites when you’re on the go.

On the bright side
I found some of my favourite foods here. Sometimes, you just need a reminder of those few-ingredient wonders that you can prepare quickly at home, yet easily plate up for a fancy dinner invitation. Versatility like that is always appreciated.

Toum Trauma
Making toum (garlic sauce) with avocado oil? That’s a crime against Mediterranean mamas everywhere. What butchery!

Recipe Red Flags: The Mahshi Laban
There’s one outright wrong recipe: “Mahshi Laban.” The recipe completely missed the main ingredient: Laban! Instead, it replaces it with labneh made from Greek yoghurt “as needed or to taste.” Greek yoghurt’s popularity is rising, sure, but laban (yoghurt) is distinct from Greek yoghurt and is the essential base for authentic labneh. Plus, the filling recipe isn’t even close to the classic. Creativity is welcome, but when you reinvent a dish so drastically, you owe it a new name, not hijack a beloved classic and call it something else.

Mansaf Debauchery
The same goes for mansaf. The Laban used in mansaf is very specific — it’s goat yoghurt called jameed, prepared in a particular traditional way. Substituting it with Greek yoghurt is a very bad choice. The dish ends up more like braised beef and rice than true mansaf, which is known for its fatty richness and generous ghee. If you’re going to tinker, fine, but call it what it is.

Shawarma Shenanigans
And don’t get me started on the shawarma “creativity.” Just because you use shawarma seasoning doesn’t make the final dish shawarma. Shawarma is an art — the meat texture, cooking style, and condiments all matter. Pork belly that shreds? Not the ideal shawarma cut. If you’re going to try, you need more than what the recipe in this book calls for.

The Bottom Line: Fun, But Not Always Faithful
If you want vibrant, easy-to-make dishes with a fun mix of familiar and new, this book delivers in parts. But if you’re looking for authenticity or respect for tradition, be ready to raise a few eyebrows and maybe a few Mediterranean mamas in protest.

Thank you Netgalley and Cider Mill Press for the ARC.

I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

I liked this cookbook full of quick, easy recipes in the Mediterranean style. They sound wonderful and yummy but I could have used more pictures of the food and some explanations of certain food (what the were, what they are supposed to look like and how to pronounce them) but all in all a good cookbook for cooking Mediterranean foods.

Thank you NetGalley and Cider Mill Press for this eCopy to review

7-Ingredient Mediterranean by Cider Mill Press, is a breath of fresh, herb-scented air. It delivers exactly what it promises: over 100 vibrant, wholesome Mediterranean recipes, each using just seven ingredients. From zesty salads and hearty pastas to succulent seafood and satisfying vegetarian dishes, the book takes you on a flavourful journey from the coasts of Italy to the spice markets of Morocco.

What I really appreciated was the simplicity. The recipes are unfussy and perfect for busy weeknights, yet they don’t sacrifice taste or nutrition. The focus on fresh produce, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins makes it easy to eat well without overthinking it. Plus, the photography is gorgeous—each dish looks like it came straight from a sun-drenched seaside café.

Overall, it’s a beautifully curated collection that proves you don’t need a long shopping list to cook something delicious. If you’re looking to simplify your cooking without giving up bold, authentic flavour, this one’s a keeper. I’ll definitely be reaching for it again and again.

Easy, tasteful and healthy recipes for everybody to try and taste it. Great explanariona and ilustrarion. Worth try it.

I was lucky to get this cookbook as an ARC. The book is filled with beautiful simple Mediterranean recipes. I can’t wait to cook lots of these recipes over summer.

7-INGREDIENT MEDITERRANEAN from Cider Mill Press has a beautiful, appealing cover that touts its "100+ Simple, Vibrant Recipes." Divided between four main sections (appetizers, entrees, salads/sides, and desserts), the recipes are indeed very simple, but perhaps too much so? For example, Calamari Fritti requires two pounds of squid, coated in flour (with pepper and salt) and then fried ... what about some other spices? Or more suggestions on dipping sauces? The text correctly points to the variety of climate, cultures, and cuisines in the Mediterranean area, but fails to identify many unusual ingredients or unfamiliar recipe names (e.g., baba ghanoush, chermoula, tahini, za’atar). Also, the pictures are lovely, bright and crisp, but there are not very many – certainly not one for each recipe and this exacerbates the issue of unfamiliar ingredients. I also noticed that quite a few recipes rely on frying for preparation and there is no nutritional information for each recipe; given the emphasis on healthy eating for that area, this was surprising. Some ideas to try: Toasted Pasta with Crab, Sumac and Lime Mahimahi, Branzino (whole or cornbread and crab-stuffed); a helpful index is included.

Book Review: 7-Ingredient Mediterranean: 100+ Simple, Vibrant Recipes by Cider Mill Press

Rating: 3.5 Stars

As someone who’s absolutely crazy about Mediterranean food, this cookbook really caught my eye—starting with its gorgeous cover that just screams sunshine and fresh flavors. 7-Ingredient Mediterranean is all about keeping things simple but bursting with flavor, which is exactly what I look for in a cookbook. The concept is super appealing: over 100 recipes that use only seven ingredients each, making it easy to whip up meals without a long grocery list or complicated steps.

The book takes you on a culinary trip from Italy’s coastlines to Morocco’s spice markets, showcasing dishes that highlight fresh produce, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins. Whether you’re craving a zesty salad, a comforting pasta, seafood, or vegetarian fare, there’s something here that feels both wholesome and satisfying. The recipes are perfect for busy weeknights when you want something nutritious but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.

What I really appreciate is how the simplicity doesn’t sacrifice flavor. Each recipe manages to pack in bold, authentic Mediterranean vibes with minimal fuss—exactly what I want when I’m cooking after a long day. Plus, the focus on heart-healthy ingredients makes it a solid choice if you’re aiming for balanced eating without feeling like you’re missing out.

That said, I did wish there were more photos of the finished dishes. While the photography included is beautiful and does a nice job of highlighting some recipes, I find that cookbooks really come alive when you can see the end result of every dish. It helps inspire and guide you as you cook.

Overall, 7-Ingredient Mediterranean is a vibrant and practical addition to any kitchen, especially for those who love Mediterranean flavors but want to keep things straightforward. It’s definitely earned a solid 3.5 stars from me!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

This is a beautiful cookbook with high-quality photos throughout. The formatting using a variety of colors is engaging. The recipes are elegant in their simplicity. Most of the ingredients are easy to obtain. Mediterranean food is celebrated for its health benefits, which is easy to see through the quality of the ingredients..
Since multiple recipes are unfamiliar to me, I would have liked a small explanation section at the top of each recipe. I would have also appreciated nutritional information at the bottom. As a person with food allergies, a few mentions about substitutions would have been helpful.
Overall, this cookbook is engaging and beautiful. I would be glad to add this book to my collection or give it as a gift.

I dove into 3 recipes — the Fried Brussels Sprouts with Tahini & Feta, the Spaghetti Alla Nerano, and the Roasted Grapes & Sausage. Not only minimal ingredients but also incredibly easy steps. I appreciated the layout, minimalist but effective. And though I liked the pictures that were there, I will always wish for a picture of every recipe for reference. As a Registered Dietitian, the Mediterranean diet is one of the strongest researched diets for overall health. I highly recommend investing in this cookbook for easy, relatively budget-friendly, delectable recipes that will support a healthy lifestyle.