A mezze platter is a delightful assortment of Middle Eastern appetizers that brings a variety of flavors and textures to your table. Perfect for sharing, this platter is a great way to start a meal or enjoy as a light snack. With a mix of creamy dips, fresh salads, and savory bites, it offers something for everyone.
Some ingredients in this mezze platter might not be staples in every household. Baba ganoush is a smoky eggplant dip that you may need to find in the international aisle or make from scratch. Tabbouleh is a fresh salad made with parsley, bulgur, and tomatoes, which might require a trip to a specialty store. Pita bread is a type of flatbread that can usually be found in the bakery section.
Ingredients For Mezze Platter Recipe
Hummus: A creamy chickpea dip flavored with tahini, lemon, and garlic.
Baba ganoush: A smoky eggplant dip made with tahini, garlic, and lemon juice.
Tabbouleh: A fresh salad made with parsley, bulgur, tomatoes, and lemon juice.
Olives: A variety of marinated olives, often including green and black types.
Feta cheese: A brined curd white cheese made from sheep's milk or a mixture of sheep and goat's milk.
Pita bread: A soft, slightly leavened flatbread that is often used to scoop up dips.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To enhance the flavor of your hummus and baba ganoush, drizzle a bit of high-quality extra virgin olive oil on top and sprinkle with a pinch of paprika or sumac. This not only adds a burst of color but also elevates the taste profile of these dips.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
hummus - Substitute with white bean dip: White bean dip has a similar creamy texture and can be flavored similarly to hummus.
baba ganoush - Substitute with roasted red pepper dip: Roasted red pepper dip offers a smoky flavor and creamy texture that can mimic baba ganoush.
tabbouleh - Substitute with quinoa salad: Quinoa salad can provide a similar fresh and herbaceous profile with added protein from the quinoa.
olives - Substitute with pickled vegetables: Pickled vegetables can offer a similar briny and tangy flavor profile.
feta cheese - Substitute with goat cheese: Goat cheese has a similar tangy and creamy texture that can replace feta.
pita bread - Substitute with naan bread: Naan bread has a similar soft and chewy texture that works well for dipping and scooping.
Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Dish
- To keep your mezze platter fresh, store each component separately in airtight containers. This prevents flavors from mingling and keeps textures intact.
- Hummus and baba ganoush can be refrigerated for up to 5 days. Ensure they are covered tightly to avoid drying out.
- Tabbouleh is best consumed within 2-3 days. The fresh herbs and vegetables can lose their vibrancy if stored longer.
- Olives can be stored in their brine in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. If they are not in brine, place them in an airtight container.
- Feta cheese should be kept in its brine or in a tightly sealed container. It can last up to 1 week in the fridge.
- Pita bread is best stored in a bread box or a sealed plastic bag at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze the pita bread in a resealable bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm in the oven before serving.
- If you plan to freeze any of the dips (hummus or baba ganoush), place them in freezer-safe containers, leaving some space at the top for expansion. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and stir well before serving.
- Avoid freezing tabbouleh as the fresh vegetables and herbs do not hold up well to freezing and thawing.
- When ready to serve, allow all components to come to room temperature for the best flavor and texture. Reheat pita bread in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes if desired.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Hummus:
- Transfer the hummus to a microwave-safe bowl.
- Cover it with a damp paper towel to prevent it from drying out.
- Microwave on medium power for 20-30 seconds, stirring halfway through.
- Alternatively, you can reheat it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently until warmed through.
-
- Place the baba ganoush in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Cover with a damp paper towel.
- Microwave on medium power for 20-30 seconds, stirring halfway through.
- For stovetop reheating, use a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until warm.
Tabbouleh:
- Transfer the tabbouleh to a microwave-safe bowl.
- Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plate.
- Microwave on medium power for 30-40 seconds, stirring halfway through.
- Alternatively, you can enjoy tabbouleh cold or at room temperature, as it is traditionally served.
Olives:
- Olives are best enjoyed at room temperature or slightly chilled.
- If you prefer them warm, place them in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave on low power for 10-15 seconds, just to take the chill off.
Feta Cheese:
- Feta cheese can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature.
- If you prefer it warm, place the feta cheese in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave on low power for 10-15 seconds, just enough to soften it slightly.
Pita Bread:
- Wrap the pita bread wedges in a damp paper towel.
- Microwave on high for 15-20 seconds to make them soft and warm.
- Alternatively, you can warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, wrapped in aluminum foil to keep them from drying out.
Essential Tools for This Recipe
Serving platter: A large, flat dish used to arrange and present the mezze items attractively.
Small bowls: Used to hold and separate the hummus, baba ganoush, and tabbouleh.
Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for cutting the pita bread into wedges.
Chef's knife: Essential for cutting the pita bread and any other ingredients that may need preparation.
Measuring cups: Ensures accurate portions of hummus, baba ganoush, tabbouleh, olives, and feta cheese.
Serving tongs: Useful for arranging the olives and feta cheese around the bowls on the platter.
Spatula: Helps in scooping and transferring the hummus and baba ganoush into the small bowls.
Dish towel: Handy for keeping your workspace clean and for any quick clean-ups needed during preparation.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prepare ingredients in advance: Chop vegetables, crumble feta cheese, and cut pita bread wedges ahead of time.
Use store-bought dips: Purchase ready-made hummus and baba ganoush to save preparation time.
Pre-make tabbouleh: Prepare tabbouleh a day before and refrigerate to let flavors meld.
Organize your platter: Arrange all items on the serving platter before guests arrive.
Serve in small bowls: Use small bowls for hummus, baba ganoush, and tabbouleh to keep the platter neat.
Mezze Platter Recipe
Ingredients
Mezze Platter Ingredients
- 1 cup Hummus
- 1 cup Baba Ganoush
- 1 cup Tabbouleh
- 1 cup Olives
- 1 cup Feta Cheese
- 1 cup Pita Bread cut into wedges
Instructions
- Arrange the hummus, baba ganoush, and tabbouleh in small bowls.
- Place the bowls on a large serving platter.
- Arrange the olives, feta cheese, and pita bread wedges around the bowls.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Main Courses and Desserts
More Amazing Recipes to Try 🙂
- Korean BBQ Tacos Recipe35 Minutes
- Vegan Alfredo Pasta Recipe35 Minutes
- Vegan Alfredo Recipe30 Minutes
- Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff Recipe40 Minutes
- Pineapple Pork Tacos Recipe35 Minutes
- Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos Recipe25 Minutes
- Garlic Shrimp Alfredo Recipe30 Minutes
- Pesto Noodles Recipe25 Minutes
Leave a Reply