Enjoy a Mediterranean-inspired dinner

The Mediterranean diet has long been touted as a healthy way to eat. The Mediterranean diet is inspired by the eating trends of people from Italy and Greece in the 1960s. Principal aspects include high consumption of legumes, olive oil, fruits, and vegetables. When coupled with other healthy eating habits like selecting natural, unrefined ingredients, such as nutrient-rich honey instead of refined sugar, people can transform how they eat without sacrificing flavor.

This recipe for delicious “Grilled Lamb Chops With Honey Figs” from “Cooking Light Fresh Food Superfast” (Oxmoor House) by The Cooking Light Editors combines ingredients that would customarily be found in a Mediterranean Diet with a sweet honey drizzle. Figs can cook quickly, so choose firm, ripe ones that can withstand the heat of the grill.

Grilled Lamb Chops With Honey Figs Yields 4 servings

8 4-ounce lean lamb loin chops, trimmed

1⁄4 teaspoon salt

1⁄4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 ablespoons honey

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon chopped rosemary

8 fresh figs, halved

Cooking spray

Rosemary sprigs (optional) fresh

Preheat the grill.

Sprinkle the lamb evenly with salt and pepper. Combine the honey, oil and rosemary; brush half of the honey mixture over the lamb chops. Brush the remaining honey mixture over the figs.

Place the lamb and figs on a grill rack coated with cooking spray. Grill the lamb for 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Grill the figs 1 minute on each side or until lightly browned and tender. Garnish with rosemary sprigs, if desired. Serve with rice, roasted potatoes or couscous.

(Metro Creative)