Mediterranean Mezze Boards are Perfect for Summer Entertaining
If your go-to charcuterie board consists of the basic cheese and crackers, it might be time to switch things up! Grazing boards have become a big trend—with crafty varieties including candy boards, hot chocolate boards, and even breakfast boards. The concept of these boards may be popular right now, but it’s definitely not anything new. In fact, small, shareable bites have been a way of eating in the Mediterranean and Middle East for generations. It’s called mezze and it’s the perfect snack-y meal for summer.
We love a good melty brie, but it’s not exactly what we’re craving when the weather heats up. To switch up our traditional cheese board picks, we’re going with something a little lighter. Mezze—which literally means “to taste or snack” in Arabic—is an appetizer or light meal made up of a variety of small dishes, including dips, vegetables, cheeses, and salads. You’ll often find mezze served on small individual plates, but for blogger Amina Al-Saigh of The Hungry Paprikas, “putting all the elements together on one board creates a beautiful visual impact.”
It’s true—this mezze platter is an impressive starter for any summer party or picnic, but the best part is…it’s so simple to create! Here, Amina breaks down the key elements you need to make this Instagram-worthy mezze board at home.
What’s on a mezze platter?
“A great mezze board will have at least 2 to 3 types of dips, such as hummus, baba ghanoush, and labneh,” Amina explains. If you’re feeling up to the task, make one or two of them yourself—there are tons of great dip recipes out there. But (here’s the good news), if you’re short on time, you can simply use your favorite brand of dips instead. It’s all about keeping things easy, so if making homemade dips is stressing you out, skip it and just pick one up from the store!
Once you decide on your dips, filling up your board is all about “playing with different shapes, textures, and colors,” she says. You can include salads, vegetables, cheeses, nuts, and fruit. Here are some ideas:
Dips and Salads:
Tzatziki
White bean dip
Roasted red pepper spread
Tabouli salad
Bean salad
Finger Foods:
Stuffed grape leaves
Grilled halloumi cheese
Falafel (homemade or store-bought)
Grilled shrimp
Feta cubes
Sliced meat
Vegetables:
Radishes
Cucumbers
Peppers
Carrot sticks
Cherry tomatoes
Others:
Nuts
Dried apricots
Figs
Olives
Pickles
How do you put a mezze platter together?
When it comes to building your mezze, begin with a large flat board or plate. “Start by placing your main elements down first, like the dips and finger foods,” Amina suggests. “Then add on the pita bread and vegetables around the core elements.” If it sounds like a lot, just remember that all you need to do is fill up the space. There’s no perfect way of going about it, but here are some tips to help you achieve a beautiful finished look:
Pick a large, flat board or platter.
Start with your dips. Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, place your dips in small bowls and arrange them on the board.
Add your larger finger foods and cheeses.
Include a variety of fresh cut-up veggies or salads.
Add your pita.
Fill in the gaps with any extras you like: olives, nuts, fruits, etc.
