Middle Eastern Mezze Platter (Print View)

A vibrant, shareable assortment of classic Middle Eastern appetizers with hummus, olives, cheese, pita, and fresh vegetables.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Hummus

01 - 1½ cups cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - ¼ cup tahini
03 - 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
04 - 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
05 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
06 - ½ tsp ground cumin
07 - ½ tsp salt
08 - 2-3 tbsp cold water

→ Fresh Vegetables

09 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
10 - 1 cup cucumber, sliced
11 - 1 cup red bell pepper, sliced
12 - 1 cup carrot sticks

→ Olives & Cheese

13 - 1 cup mixed olives, pitted if desired
14 - 5 oz feta cheese, cut into cubes or slices

→ Bread

15 - 4 pita breads, cut into triangles

→ Garnishes

16 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
17 - 1 tsp sumac or paprika
18 - Lemon wedges

# Method:

01 - Combine chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, and salt in a food processor. Blend until completely smooth, adding cold water one tablespoon at a time to achieve desired creamy consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
02 - Transfer hummus to a shallow bowl or spread across a serving platter. Create a well in the center and drizzle generously with extra olive oil. Dust surface with sumac or paprika for color and flavor.
03 - Artfully arrange cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, carrot sticks, olives, and feta cheese around the hummus in sections or clusters for visual appeal and easy access.
04 - Warm pita bread briefly if desired, then cut into triangles. Arrange around the platter edge or in a separate basket for serving.
05 - Scatter chopped parsley over the entire platter and add lemon wedges for squeezing. Serve immediately while vegetables are crisp and bread is warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The entire platter can be customized based on what you have in your fridge, making it perfect for those nights when youre too tired to follow a strict recipe but still want something beautiful.
  • People always photograph it before eating, giving you those few precious moments to pour yourself a glass of wine before the feeding frenzy begins.
02 -
  • Dont refrigerate the tomatoes before serving - cold temperatures destroy their flavor and give them a mealy texture.
  • The way you arrange the components genuinely affects how people experience the meal - circular patterns with alternating colors create a visual rhythm that makes the platter more inviting than random placement.
03 -
  • If chickpeas have tough skins that prevent ultra-smooth hummus, rub them between kitchen towels after draining to remove those papery coverings.
  • For an impressive smoke-kissed flavor, char one bell pepper directly over a gas flame until blackened, then peel, slice and add to the platter - this one element elevates the entire spread.
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