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    Home » Appetizer Recipes

    How to Craft a Mezze Board

    Published: Jul 8, 2018 · Modified: Jul 10, 2021 by Philip + Mystique · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    The traditional Mezze Board is meant to be shared and savoured with a selection of small bites and our version boasts at home classics and simple additions that truly make you feel like you're having tapas in the Mediterranean. 

    Whether served as a dinner for two or entertaining a group, the mezze board is an intimate and cultural experience that ignites your senses and stimulates your taste buds. The mezze-style spread—small plates, dips, and salads are meant to be shared as an appetizer course or light meal, commonly throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East.

    Beautifully styled mezze board

    Like any good cheese board or meat platter, the mezze builds on flavour, texture and a variety of delicacies including infused humus, zesty tabbouleh, roasted veggies, salty feta, grilled pita, and creamy tzatziki (goodness gracious, the tzatziki). While you can use store-bought versions of these staples, we’re sharing our top recipe picks and tips to carefully craft your own mezze board.

    How to Craft a Mezze Board

    1. Grab the Perfect Plate

    Depending on the number of friends you're feeding, grab a platter that is large enough to hold all of your curated dishes and fixings, but small enough to present a full and wholesome mis en place. Square, circular, or oval, white, patterned or coloured – the dish you choose will be your vehicle as guests snack and nibble directly from the plate.

    2. Pick your Star Ingredients

    A well executed mezze board includes a dip, a spread and a salad - the triple threat of the Mediterranean. Try selecting a solid mix of classics and twists to include on your board. We whipped up a traditional tabbouleh and swapped the bulgar for quinoa, opted for a simple hummus topped with dukkah and made what we like to call an express tzatziki using goat yogurt.

    3. The Devil is in the Details

    Now that you've chosen your three main dishes, the remainder of ingredients will help fill the board and allow you to incorporate all your favourite side dishes. Of course, you should have roasted red peppers, spicy olives and sheep feta, but try other ingredients that would be great spread on a pita; roasted pearl onions, falafel, artichokes, eggplant and raw veggies.

    4. Be the Architect of your Platter

    Once you've cooked and prepared all your dishes and sides, envision what you want your board to look like. We start with a large dollop of hummus, spread it using a spoon, and top it with dukkah and chilli oil. Then corner off your tabbouleh, contain your tzatziki, build a wall of pita and fill the remaining platter with your side dishes, keeping complimenting colours, layers and textures in mind.

    5. Select the Right Accompaniment

    What's a platter without a drink? Pour your guests your favourite red, white or plum wine or if you're feeling really cultured, open a bottle of traditional Greek ouzo – an anise-flavoured liqueur, or retsina – a rose´ or white wine flavoured with pine resin. No matter what you're serving, always include a pitcher of cold water and small drinking glasses. 

    Mezze board with list of ingredients

    Present your mezze board with a tiny bowl for olive pits and be sure to include spreading knives, spoons and tongs alongside cloth napkins and tapas plates. Guests can choose to make their own plate or enjoy the board family style as a sharing dish, eating right off the platter. Whatever they choose, your appetizing mezze board will be sure to satisfy everyone's Mediterranean favourite snacks.  

    What’s the Greek word for bon appetit? xo

    Chef Sous Chef

    Mezze board styled with various foods

    How to Craft a Mezze Board

    Philip Lago & Mystique Mattai
    The traditional Mezze Board is meant to be shared and savoured with a selection of small bites and our version boasts at home classics and simple additions that truly make you feel like you’re having tapas in the Mediterranean. 
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Appetizer, Dinner, Food + Drink, Occasions, Snacks
    Cuisine Canadian, Mediterranean
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 370

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 pitas toasted and cut into quarters
    • 12 falafels
    • 2 cups tabouleh
    • ¾ cup tzatziki
    • ¾ cup hummus topped with dukkah
    • 2 sweet peppers cut into strips and grilled
    • 1 bunch bunch asparagus trimmed and grilled
    • 1 eggplant cut in wedges and grilled
    • 6 oz feta cheese
    • 8 stuffed grape leaves
    • 1 lb various olives
    • 8 oz roasted artichokes
    • 4 oz grape tomatoes
    • 2 oz roasted garlic cloves
    • 2 oz caper berries

    Instructions
     

    • Depending on the number of friends you’re feeding, grab a platter that is large enough to hold all of your curated dishes and fixings, but small enough to present a full and wholesome mis en place. Square, circular, or oval, white, patterned or coloured – the dish you choose will be your vehicle as guests snack and nibble directly from the plate.
    • Arrange the three anchors of the board - the dip(s), the salad, and a spread.
    • Fill the board with remaining ingredients

    Nutrition

    Calories: 370kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 12gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 1777mgPotassium: 504mgFiber: 9gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 3001IUVitamin C: 53mgCalcium: 251mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword game day food, party food, Snacks, Vegetarian
    Have you tried this recipe?Tag us on Instagram @chef.souschef or use the hashtag #chefsouschef and let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Annie Q says

      December 06, 2018 at 2:41 pm

      Thanks for sharing such great tips! I don't know if I can make my mezze boards as nice as yours though 😉 Your photography is absolutely beautiful.5 stars

      Reply
    2. Lynne Teperman says

      August 03, 2019 at 7:37 am

      I plan on trying my hand at this later this month. Would those quantities be enough for 6 to 8 people along with a couple of roasted chickens cut into serving sized pieces for the meat eaters in the crowd?

      Reply
      • Chef Sous Chef says

        August 12, 2019 at 10:14 am

        Hi Lynne. Thanks for stopping by our blog. Along with chicken, it should be enough but you could increase the amounts by 50% just to be sure you have enough food. It depends if you are going to have other food options, but I always think it's better to have a little extra food than not enough.

        Reply

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