What types of flavors are generally considered "Mediterranean?"?!

Question: What types of flavors are generally considered "Mediterranean?"?

We're having a potluck at work soon, and the theme is "Mediterranean." I have a couple of packs of thin-sliced chicken breast (sandwich-style thin sliced) and am hoping to make a dish with that. Something hearty, like a casserole, would be good. I am not interested in making a traditional or known Mediterranean dish. I'm wondering what the general flavors are for that region so I can make something that works with what I have and can afford. Is couscous also Mediterranean or what starch would they generally use?

Answers:

Olive oil,
olives
tomatoes
basil
rosemary ( very important)
garlic
seasalt, black pepper
saffron
artichoke
goat cheese
asparagus
lemon
solana beans ( like a pale butter bean)
fava beans- very much mediterranean
nutella
couscous is wheat beads- yes it is mediterranean.
goat milk,
figs
oranges
honey
taramasalata
hummous
pita bread
yoghurt
cucumber
courgettes
sheep cheese
plums
dates
almonds
walnuts
eggplant
parmesan
rustic bread- heavy bread without sugar
white beans
wine
chili
lavender
sage
poppy
pumpkin
apricot
sardines
herrings
mackerel
squid
octopus
fish- barbecue, grilled
whitebait
crab

chicken breast-- not so much. Unless it's got rosemary, thyme, oregano , lemon, salt and pepper and slathered in olive oil.

Grew up in Spain and north africa

Basic ingredients include olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, basil, oregano, thyme, mint, bay leaf, and sage. Cooking techniques include Mirepoix (French) or Soffrito (Italian), which is a slow, gentle saute of 2 parts onion, 1 part celery, 1 part carrot, all finely chopped. Beans would include chick peas or lentils, but not the more Asian beans like mung or azuki, nor the more American or Mexican beans like black-eyed peas, pintos, or black beans. Likely vegetables include tomato, zucchini, and eggplant.

Personal knowlege

Rosemary, marjoram and oregano are herbs often found in Mediterranean dishes. Garlic, lemon and kalamata olives are also prevalent, along with roma tomatoes and feta cheese. Couscous or pasta are both appropriate for the theme, as well as eggplant if you are considering a casserole dish.

Couscous is Mediterranean for sure. Other things native to the region would be olives, fruit, feta cheese, and seafood. Also wine. There are a billion recipes on the internet for intersting mediterranean style casseroles including some of these ingredients.

Mediterranean food is really vast because there are many different cultures involved. Grains, beans, olive oil, garlic are very popular.

Saffron is Mediterranean.

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What types of flavors are generally considered "Mediterranean?"?!

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