Greek Mezze Platter Recipe

Hummus: A creamy dip made from blended chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic.

Tzatziki: A refreshing yogurt-based dip with cucumber, garlic, and dill.

Olives: A variety of marinated or plain olives, often including kalamata or green olives.

Feta cheese: A tangy and salty Greek cheese made from sheep's milk, often cubed.

Pita bread: Soft, round flatbread that can be sliced for dipping.

Grape leaves: Tender leaves used in Mediterranean cuisine, often stuffed with rice and herbs.

When arranging your mezze platter, consider the visual appeal. Place the hummus and tzatziki in small bowls at opposite ends to balance the layout. Scatter the olives and cubed feta cheese around the dips for a pop of color. Fan out the sliced pita bread and grape leaves in a semi-circle to create a sense of abundance. This not only makes the platter look inviting but also ensures that each element is easily accessible.

• hummus - Substitute with baba ghanoush: Both are creamy dips made from legumes or vegetables, providing a similar texture and flavor profile.

• tzatziki - Substitute with labneh: Labneh is a strained yogurt cheese that offers a similar tangy and creamy consistency.

• olives - Substitute with pickled vegetables: Pickled vegetables provide a similar briny and tangy flavor, adding variety to the platter.

• cubed feta cheese - Substitute with halloumi: Halloumi is a firm, salty cheese that can be grilled or served fresh, offering a similar savory taste.

• sliced pita bread - Substitute with naan bread: Naan bread is a soft, slightly chewy flatbread that can be used similarly to pita for dipping and wrapping.

• grape leaves - Substitute with stuffed bell peppers: Stuffed bell peppers can be filled with similar ingredients like rice and herbs, providing a comparable texture and flavor.

• To keep your Greek mezze platter fresh, store each component separately in airtight containers. This prevents flavors from mingling and keeps textures intact.
• Hummus: Transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for up to 5 days. If it thickens, stir in a bit of olive oil or lemon juice before serving.
• Tzatziki: Store in an airtight container in the fridge. It will last for about 3 days. Stir well before serving to maintain its creamy texture.
• Olives: Keep them in their brine in a sealed container. They can last for several weeks in the refrigerator.
• Feta cheese: Store in a container with a bit of its brine or some olive oil. It will stay fresh for up to a week.
• Pita bread: Wrap in aluminum foil or place in a zip-top bag. Store at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze the pita bread. When ready to use, thaw at room temperature and warm in the oven.
• Grape leaves: If using stuffed grape leaves, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They will last for up to 5 days. For freezing, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
• When ready to serve again, arrange all components on a platter as described in the recipe. If any dips have thickened, stir in a bit of olive oil or lemon juice to restore their creamy consistency.

• For the pita bread:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Wrap the pita bread in aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.
  3. Place the wrapped pita bread on a baking sheet and heat for about 10 minutes, or until warm.

• For the hummus and tzatziki:

  1. Transfer the hummus and tzatziki into microwave-safe bowls.
  2. Microwave on medium power for 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until they reach your desired temperature. Be cautious not to overheat, as this can alter the texture and flavor.

• For the grape leaves:

  1. Place the grape leaves in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they are evenly heated.

• For the olives and feta cheese:

  1. These items are best enjoyed at room temperature. Remove them from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before serving to allow them to come to room temperature naturally.
  2. If you prefer them slightly warm, you can place them in a microwave-safe dish and microwave on low power for 10-15 seconds, but be careful not to overheat as this can affect their texture and flavor.

• Serving platter: A large, flat dish used to arrange and present the various components of the mezze platter.

• Small bowls: Used to hold the dips like hummus and tzatziki, making them easily accessible for dipping.

• Cheese knife: A specialized knife for cutting and serving the cubed feta cheese.

• Bread knife: A serrated knife used to slice the pita bread evenly.

• Tongs: Handy for placing and arranging the grape leaves and olives on the platter.

• Cutting board: A surface used for slicing the pita bread and cubing the feta cheese.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure out one cup each of hummus, tzatziki, olives, cubed feta cheese, sliced pita bread, and grape leaves.

• Serving spoons: Used for scooping and serving the dips from the small bowls.

Pre-made dips: Purchase hummus and tzatziki from the store to save time on preparation.

Pre-sliced pita: Buy sliced pita bread to avoid the extra step of cutting it yourself.

Marinated olives: Use pre-marinated olives to add instant flavor without extra work.

Cubed feta: Opt for pre-cubed feta cheese to save on chopping time.

Ready-made grape leaves: Get store-bought grape leaves to skip the rolling process.