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Starting the week off with the ultimate appetizer…
You guys, ahh, I’ve been waiting to share this recipe with you for SO long. You all know Lyndsie, right? My brother’s crazy and super adventurous girlfriend. The one whose goal in life is to travel everywhere, see everything, and eat everyplace she can along the way. The girl is a free spirit at heart and she knows good food (her recipe for whole roasted broccoli is coming soon)! I while back I was chatting with Lyndsie about appetizers. She was telling me all about one of her favorites, a Meze Platter full of middle eastern spreads…veggies, stuffed grape leaves, and of course tzatziki. The thing is, I’d basically already created a similar platter for the Half Baked Harvest Cookbook (without even realizing it). But then, due to one too many recipes and not enough pages, the recipe recently had to be cut. While I was sad to have to remove it from the book, I was kind of excited to get to share it here on the blog. For some reason, to me this spread just screams spring/summer entertaining…Easter, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Father’s Day…yep, this platter would be perfect. Thinking about it realistically, there really isn’t a time this platter wouldn’t be great.
So I adjusted a few items and well, here is my version of a Meze Platter, complete with sun-dried tomato muhammara (a roasted red pepper and walnut spread), hummus, tzatziki, tabbouleh (couscous salad), feta cheese, stuffed grape leaves, lots of veggies, naan, and roasted carrots.
I know, I know, it’s a lot, but it’s just the BEST combo of foods, and feels very Easter…ish to me.
OKok, let’s run through everything here. This spread all started with muhammara, which is a red pepper and walnut spread. People make it a lot of different ways, but I like to include sun-dried tomatoes for a little touch of sweet tomato flavor. I don’t think muhammara is traditional to include on a Meze Platter, but the bright red color just inspired me. I love a good pop of color on an appetizer platter, you know? While the muhammara is a killer recipe on its own, the rest of the platter is full of equally delicious things as well…
…start with the muhammara.
…add some hummus, I use my favorite homemade recipe, but store-bought is good too!
…then some tzatziki which I always make at home because it’s just so easy. I know you can buy it at the store, but really all you need is greek yogurt, lemon, cucumber, and dill and you’re good to go! I love stirring in some toasted pine nuts to mine as well.
…next up, a little tabbouleh, aka bulgur salad. In place of the bulgur, I like to use couscous, which is very traditional on a Meze Platter. I make my tabbouleh pretty basic, using just couscous, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, dill, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Simple, simple, but really good. PS. I made this cauliflower tabbouleh for Shape Magazine if you are looking for a grain free option!
…and roasted carrots. Oh I LOVE roasted carrots, and while these are not traditionally included on a Meze Platter, I think they make an awesome addition. I also think roasted or grilled asparagus would be awesome too.
…now, the filler inners, AKA sun-dried tomato marinated feta, olives, stuffed grape leaves, artichokes, and radishes. I wanted to include more spring veggies, but well, my grocery options are semi lame and they only had radishes. Where are all the spring peas at?!
…and lastly, something to dip!! Meaning fresh naan, pita, or pita chips. I actually used my homemade naan recipe, but instead of making naan, I stretched the dough really thin, brushed it with olive oil, sprinkled it with seeds (sesame and cumin), and then baked it in batches on the bottom of a 500 degree oven for five or so minutes until it is crisp and puffy, SO GOOD!
And then – DONE.
It seems like a lot, but everything actually comes together really easily, and what I love most is that you can make all the spreads in advance, keep them in the fridge and then just put everything together the day of your party. Again, meaning this platter is perfect for Easter and upcoming Mother’s Day!
Also, since I know life is crazy, store-bought options will work great too! I love Trader Joe’s hummus and tzatziki, and I believe Whole Foods sells tabbouleh in the prepared foods section. The one thing I do recommend making is the muhammara. It’s what makes this Meze Platter stand out from all the others…plus it’s seriously addicting.
Oh, and the roasted carrots, you have to do those. They are a game changer if you ask me, but then roasted carrots might be my favorite veggie…oh who am I kidding, I could never pick a favorite veggie!
Okok, and I am DONE now, no more rambles…
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Enjoy this one guys, it’s one of my favorites!
What an awesome platter!
Thank you Matt!
I can’t decide what my favorite part is, although, I do have a special place in my heart for tzatziki!!!
I so do too! Its delicious!
Saw this on IG and almost drooled on my phone. So yeah, I’m a fan.
Haha (: thank you Sarah!
seriously, my mouth is watering. i could eat this for dinner every single night forever from now on. keep those middle eastern flavors coming, girl! you’re killin it.
Yay, so so happy you like this too Jess! Thanks (:
I love your rambles too! Don’t cut them short! They give your blog so much character. Love your recipes and pics even more, but then, it’s hard for anything else in anyone’s posts to match up to your mad creative cooking genius! Thanks for this recipe! Parties for years to come will be blessing you for it! Keep it up. We love you!
Thank you!! I’m so happy you like them! Ah your too nice Toni! (:
Yum! What a delicious looking platter!
Thank you Kari!
So gorgeous! I’m with Rebecca – this is face plant worthy! 🙂
Haha thank you!
but 2nd link works fine 🙂
Fixed it! Thank you! 🙂
link for sun-dried tomato muhammara not working
mmmm. the sun-dried tomato marinated feta sounds especially good (:
Thank you Heather!
I would love to face plant on this platter!!! xo
Dear Rebecca, thank you for making my day with your response. Two thumbs up!
Dear Tieghan, thank you for the awesome, face-planting Meze platter.
Cheers to all, Ardith
I am glad you are enjoying it Ardith! Thanks!!
Haha right?! Thank you Rebecca!
This is my kind of appetizer Tieghan! I would enjoy everything on the platter! So pretty too. (as usual!) Happy Monday!
Thank you Mary Ann! I am so glad you re enjoying this!
Haha, I love your rambles Tieghan and OMG this platter looks insane! I love that each component is so simple while the whole thing together is like an artwork! Wow, this board is just the best!
Thank you so so much Tori!!
I’d eat it RIGHT NOW, if I could 🙂 I have never seasoned my hummus with sesame seeds, will try this the next time, thanks for the inspiration! 🙂
I hope you have a great Day! 🙂
Lisa | Travelblog Joy Della Vita
Thank you Lisa!! I hope you love it!
I would be a very happy woman with this platter!!
https://bloglairdutemps.blogspot.pt
Haha I’m glad you like it Ruth! Thanks!