Mezze is essentially a variety of Middle Eastern appetizers – several items served up small-plate style. Ours generally include veggies, pitas, hummus, olives, and a variety of other Mediterranean goodies.

We find mezze platters the perfect dinner around here because it’s super easy to pick and choose your food. The carnivores grab some meat, the vegetarian (me) does not. And then the vegetarian (me) grabs extra olives. Because: olives!

Mezze platters make a terrific party spread, too, especially when you’re going to be serving folks with a variety of dietary preferences or restrictions.

Another thing I like about them? You can buy everything at the store! As much as I love making stuff from scratch, it’s not always realistic. Mezze platters can be as easy as visiting the olive bar and deli section at your local grocery store, then getting home, opening a few containers, and slicing up a few things. No cooking, no massive prep. Easy, delicious.

To make your own platter, just mix and match foods to your liking. Here are some ideas to get you started. This is by no means a complete list, by the way – nor is it faithful to any particular cuisine’s version of meze. It’s just a bunch of good stuff, that together makes a great – and easy – dinner!

Breads

• Grilled pitas
• Crackers
• Lavash bread

Veggies

• Sliced cucumbers
• Cherry tomatoes
• Grilled zucchini and other veggies
• Pickled vegetables
• Peppadew peppers
• Pickled peppers
• Fried potatoes with lemon
• Roasted red peppers

Dips & spreads

• Hummus
• Babaghanoush
• Tzatziki sauce
• Kopanisti

Salads

• Tabbouleh
• Roasted pepper & feta salad
• Fattoush

Cheeses

• Marinated feta (or plain)
• Halloumi
• Bocconcini (small mozzarella balls)

Meats

• Salami
• Summer sausage
• Dolmades (with meat)
• Lamb meatballs (which my guy doesn’t eat these, but I thought I’d mention them because they’re a fairly traditional meat addition)

Other goodies

• Mixed olives
• Dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) (vegetarian)
• Falafel
• Spanakopita
• Marinated artichoke hearts

Serve with your favorite wine or some ouzo and you’re good to go for an easy One Dish, Two Ways dinner!

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