Name: Mediterranean Mezze Platter
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Roasted Red Pepper & Feta Dip; Roasted Garlic Hummus; Sun-Dried Tomato Tapenade; 4 oz. sliced Feta cheese topped with extra virgin olive oil and chopped parsley; 1 pint cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes); 1 large red pepper, sliced; 3 medium carrots, peeled; 1 medium cucumber, sliced; 1 lbs. red seedless grapes; 1 small bunch radishes; 1 medium pomegranate; 4 oz. almonds; 4 oz. pistachios; ½ c. marinated olives (green and Kalamata shown); Leaf lettuce (to make hummus and vegetable wraps)

There are many Mediterranean dishes that people enjoy, but one of the most popular is mezze platter. A Mediterranean mezze platter is a dish that includes different appetizers and dips served at room temperature. There are many variations to this dish, so you can make it according to your preferences. The following recipe will teach you how to make a Mediterranean mezze platter in 3 easy steps!

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Is a mezze platter the same as a charcuterie board?

Charcuterie boards and antipasto selections have become household names in recent times. Mezze, on the other hand, is a lesser-known speciality. It comes from maza in Persian and means “taste” or “delight” in Turkish. The term meze refers to small dishes served at a buffet or communal table.

Mezze platters are distinct by region, but they generally include dips, meat, cheeses, fruits and vegetables. Breads such as pita are also important components of the dish.

The French charcuterie platter, often considered the most difficult of the three, emphasizes meat. Its emphasis is on meat and showcasing it using a variety of sensations, tastes, and methods – from smooth pâté to firm salami to complex galantine. It is served with spreads and other pickled products. Cheese is typically not included in a traditional board but is often added as it complements the other ingredients.

How to make a Mezze Platter from what you have

The beauty of mezze is that there is no standard recipe for what goes on your platter, in what proportion, or how much. Everything’s fair game to me if you ask me. If you like, you can handle it all yourself, right down to the homemade yoghurt.

I usually prepare my own dips and then fill them in with store-bought items. Hummus is readily available at grocery stores. Other suitable spreads, such as tapenade or baba ganoush, may also be found at the store or you can easily make your own. Save even more time by buying pickled vegetables and pre-cut veggies or baby carrots

These are simply suggestions to get you started. You may always go rummaging in the refrigerator for little bits of this and that. It’s a fantastic approach to clean out your refrigerator!

How to Build The Perfect Mediterranean Mezze Platter

It’s not difficult to put together the ideal Mezze platter. Here is a quick tutorial for you:

1) Remember mezze is meant to be shared. Imagined as a personal and plentiful dinner. To show off your mezze, choose the biggest platter you have available. Of course, you may serve mezze in separate little dishes; that’s something I frequently do. However, I adore seeing a beautiful mezze platter on a table for when you have 10 or fewer guests coming around.

2) Fresh vegetables are the ultimate in terms of taste and nutritional value. True mezze, as served in the Mediterranean region, is high in colourful vegetables.

Make a tabouli-style Mediterranean salad, which can be a lovely centrepiece to your platter. You can also cut up some fresh tomatoes and cucumbers (which are delicious in dips and spreads).

Add some roasted veggies to the mix! I like eggplant cooked with tahini and pomegranates, or plain with a little Sumac! Other options include baked zucchini drizzled in olive oil and sprinkled with chopped parsley.

3) Creamy spreads steal the show! Mezze dishes in the eastern Mediterranean generally include dips and sauces with warm pita bread, according to tradition. Hummus is far and away the most popular of them all.

If you have the time, you may prepare a standard creamy hummus roasted red pepper paste ahead of time. I’ve also used quality store-bought hummus, such as organic Sabra Hummus and tzatziki labneh (yoghurt cheese).

Finally, if you don’t have the time, you may use good quality store-bought tzatziki and labneh is available at speciality shops or your local Middle Eastern shop.

5) Add some salty olives or briny pickles to the mix! Quick pickled cucumbers, Kalamata olives, marinated artichokes, and pickled mushrooms are some of my favourite additions. For ideas, visit your local supermarket’s olive bar.

6) Other Greek favourites: cheese, ham, salami and prosciutto are all delicious options. Sweeter tastes include figs or grapes for a little something sweet to cleanse the palette.

7) Pizzas, panini, bagels, wraps and breads from around the world are all delicious combinations to enjoy with your mezze platter. Of course, a warm pita is always an excellent choice to go with your mezze spread. However, crostini and crackers may also be included.

How to make this Mediterranean Mezze Platter

Roasted Red Pepper & Feta Dip
Roasted Garlic Hummus
Sun-Dried Tomato Tapenade
4 oz. sliced Feta cheese topped with extra virgin olive oil and chopped parsley
1 pint cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes)
1 large red pepper, sliced
3 medium carrots, peeled
1 medium cucumber, sliced
1 lbs. red seedless grapes
1 small bunch radishes
1 medium pomegranate
4 oz. almonds
4 oz. pistachios
½ c. marinated olives (green and Kalamata shown)
Leaf lettuce (to make hummus and vegetable wraps)

Optional: Warm pita bread. May substitute gluten-free bread or crackers, if desired.

Directions

Select a convenient location to arrange your Mezza platter. This can be directly on the counter, and/or use an attractive and functional collection of cutting boards and/or serving platters as part of the composition.

Transfer the roasted red pepper & Feta dip, hummus, sun-dried tomato tapenade, sliced Feta cheese, and marinated olives into individual serving bowls. Arrange these bowls in the area you’ve selected for the Mezza platter.

Fill in around the serving bowls with the fruit, vegetables, and nuts to create an attractive display. Add the warm pita or other soft bread, if using, and serve immediately.

Yield: 4-6 portions