Mezze platters are a collections of small dishes served together as an appetizer and traditionally made in many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cultures. This platter is filled with fresh ingredients, so easy to make, requires zero cooking and looks like a work of art.
One of my favorite appetizers to serve has always been charcuterie boards (see my summer inspired board here) because, similar to the mezze platter, they do not require actual cooking, are easy to throw together and always make a great impression. About a year ago, my husband and I were at a local restaurant and ordered a mezze platter that was beautiful and equally delicious and I’ve been meaning to re-create it since.. finally, here we are. Better late than never, right?
The secret to this board is to use in-season ingredients and let your local grocery store do most of the work! Sure, you can make your own hummus, tabbouleh or tzatziki from scratch but why? Just buy them, you’ll save yourself so much time.. and that stuff is precious!
To start, you need some sort of plate or platter with the size depending on the number of guests you are serving. I made this platter for an at home date night dinner for two. Small bowls to add height and assist with serving certain ingredients are handy. As far as ingredients are concerned, buy what you like! Here are some ideas to get you started, but remember, there is really no wrong way to make these platters!
Ingredients
Meat: Prosciutto and salami are my favorites but any cured meats work great.
Cheese: You can’t have Mediterranean food without feta! Also consider fresh mozzarella balls or goat cheese.
Produce: Use produce that is in season. For the summer, cucumbers, tomatoes and radishes are my favorite! Also consider adding fresh berries, cantaloupe, plums or pears.
Store-Bought Help: Take advantage of your market’s prepared food section! We are lucky to have a local Wegmans complete with an entire Mediterranean bar.. I bought hummus, tzatziki, stuffed grape leaves, marinated olives and peppers. Marinated artichoke, baba ghanoush and tabbouleh are so delicious also. I was so disappointed when I couldn’t find tabbouleh the other night.. it is so yummy and adds great color to your platter.
Other Add-Ons: Nuts like almonds, pistachios or cashews will add some crunch. Olive oil to drizzle over hummus prior to serving. And, don’t forget the most important ingredient.. soft pita bread to scoop everything up.
After gathering all your ingredients, simple arrange and enjoy!
Bon Appetit!
Love, Jessica 