Food boards are my favorite way of entertaining guests. From a classic cheese board or charcuterie boards, to Bruschetta bars or sandwich platters, and even a dessert board, I am always coming up with a new way to display food in a fun way for my guests at intimate gatherings to share. The boards/platters create wonderful social occasions and encourage people to talk and socialize! This Post is sponsored by TRISCUIT and Sabra. All opinions are my own! Entertaining season is here! I didn’t think I would be saying this so soon. But as everybody starts feeling more comfortable getting together, I predict this summer will be never ending fun! And you know what that means, right? Food. Lots of food! Before you start panicking at all the food you are going to have to cook, let me introduce you to an easy and fun way to feed your guests: a Mezze Platter. A combination of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern inspired food elements that is always a hit! You can make a huge platter – or several platters – to feed a crowd or even a smaller snack platter for just yourself. The possibilities are endless!
What is Mezze?
Mezze, or meze, is a selection of small appetizer dishes served in Eastern Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Arab countries. Similar to Spanish tapas, but with different ingredients. In Muslim countries, where alcohol is prohibited, mezze is served as a part of a multi-course meal, while in countries where alcohol is allowed (such as Greece and Turkey), it is often served as snacks to accompany drinking. The word “meze”, which originates from the Persian word “maza” (which means to taste or relish), means snack or appetizer.
What goes in a Mezze Platter?
Mezedhes (pronounced meh-ZEH-thes) are the dishes that are served in a Mezze. They vary by region, so there’s lots of flexibility in what you can include in your Mezze platter. Here are some of the elements I like to have in mine:
Cheese
I usually choose herbed or marinated feta cheese or grilled halloumi. Other traditional options are Beyaz peynir (a Turkish white sheep’s milk cheese), Kajmak (a Serbian/Croatian fresh unripened cheese), Labneh, Sirene (a white brine cheese) and Saganaki (Greek fried cheese).
Fruits
Choose what’s in season! Grapes, figs, berries, pears, persimmons, you name it. You can also add dried fruit, such as dates, figs and/or apricots.
Veggies
You can include raw, roasted, steamed or grilled vegetables, such as cucumbers, tomatoes, artichokes, bell peppers, carrot and/or eggplants.
Bread and Crackers
Pita bread, preferably warm, is a classic choice! Make sure to cut in wedges to make it easier for your guests to dip into the spreads. You can also grill the pita if you want to take it to the next level As for crackers, I am a fan of TRISCUIT Original Crackers. Nothing beats their crunchiness, and they are so easy to pair! They are also non-GMO.
Spreads
Hummus is a must! The creamy chickpea puree is a staple in Mediterranean cuisines and in the Middle East. I love the convenience of buying Sabra Hummus, which is America’s (and mine) favorite hummus! Not only is their hummus delicious but it is vegan, gluten free and non-GMO. They have 5 flavors sold at Walmart, including Classic, Roasted Red Pepper, Roasted Garlic, Supremely Spicy and Roasted Pine Nut (which is the one I used for this Mezze Platter). I also like to include a second dip and that I usually make it at home. Classic choices are Baba Ghanoush, Muhammara, Taramosalata (a dip made of cod roe and bread or potatoes) and Tzatziki.
Nuts and Olives
Kalamata or green olives, and nuts (such as almonds or pistachios) are great for filling empty spaces on your platter!
Something special
Not necessary, but if you do have the time, you can include a Mediterranean or Middle Eastern dish to make your platter more fun! I chose to add dolmas (stuffed grape leaves) to mine, but you can choose whatever you want. Here are some suggestions:
Stuffed Grape LeavesTabboulehKibbeh, Kebabs or FalafelPatlican Saltais (an eggplant salad)Lamb or Beef MeatballsFul Medames (mashed fava beans cooked with garlic, lemon and parsley)
What are the best crackers to serve with Mezze?
You will want to go with something crunchy to pair with the creamy dips. My choice? TRISCUIT Original Crackers! You really can’t go wrong with them. For over 100 years, TRISCUIT Crackers have started with 100% whole grain wheat, oil and salt. That’s it! Three simple ingredients create these delicious crackers. They are great for entertaining but also for when you are craving a quick snack. Give me some Sabra Hummus and a handful of TRISCUIT Crackers and I’m all set! ♥️
How to Assemble a Mezze Platter
Assembling a meze platter is as easy as gathering your ingredients and displaying them on a platter or board. And, if you don’t have a platter/board that is big enough to fit all the food, it is okay to have several platters. Don’t forget that cutting boards and even cookie sheets will also work if you don’t own a fancy platter or tray! Recommended tools and equipment: large platter or wooden board. Here’s how I assemble a Mezze Platter. As always, you will find a printable version at the end of this post!
Choose a nice platter or wooden board to display your mezze.Place the big items, like the dips and whatever is going in bowls, on the board. Add fruits and veggies.Add the cheese.Fill in big spaces with TRISCUIT Crackers and bread. Add the stuffed grape leaves and/or other specialty dishes.Fill remaining empty spaces with nuts and olives.
Serving a Mezze Platter
Traditionally, Mezze is usually accompanied by distilled drinks, like Raki (an alcoholic drink made of twice-distilled grapes and anise), Arak (a Levantine translucent, unsweetened spirit), Ouzo (a dry anise-flavored aperitif), Aragh Sagi (an Iranian “moonshine”), Raki (another anise flavored spirit), Mastika (a liqueur seasoned with mastic, which is a resin with a slight pine/cedar flavor) or Tsipouro (a strong distilled spirit that can be pure or anise-flavored). Wine and beer are also acceptable (and probably more realistic) options, and are my choice of drinks to serve with a mezze platter. The wine pairing will depend on what you are serving on your mezze platter, as spices and herbs will dictate the intensity of the wine. If you choose to make a platter exactly like mine, you can serve a crisp white – such as Sauvignon Blanc or the Greek Assyrtico – or a light red – such as Pinot Noir or the Greek Limniona.
