After the Bruschetta Bar from last year, I’m always on the hunt for new ways to keep entertaining easy and gorgeous. This Mezze Bar situation is currently on the top of my list!
Middle Eastern food has always been near to my heart and lucky for me, it’s one of the 8 trends in this years McCormick Flavor Forecast! I remember heading to Turkey in High School and obsessing over the food. I was even a little bit of a picky eater back then, so I cant even imagine what it would be like now. I’d probably eat everything in my path! Today we’re taking a page from that part of the world and loading up a table with dips, spreads and bites to make the perfect al fresco dinner party.
You can mix and match different recipes to create your ultimate Mezze Bar – mine includes Tabbouleh, Tzatziki, Babaganoush and Hummus sprinkled with Paprika. There is also this incredible Muhammara situation, which is the most delicious red pepper dip ever, and you can jazz up with some McCormick spices like Cumin, Cloves, Cayenne Pepper and Red Pepper flakes. It’s basically a table filled with dips that are packed with zesty herbs and seasonings that makes for a perfect vibrant and global table. You can serve all these dishes with crackers, endive, feta, radishes, olives and cucumbers PLUS you can whip up a few skewers with various proteins and use those to scoop up the dips. Mix up the skewers with chicken, shrimp or beef and season them up with paprika, garlic powder, cumin and a hit of cayenne pepper for some spice!
Check out the recipes below and mix and match to make your Mezze style dinner party next time you entertain!
Mezze Bar
Ingredients
- 1 cup tabbouleh
- 1 recipe Tzatziki
- 1 cup Babaganoush
- 1 recipe Muhammara
- 1 cup plain Hummus dusted with McCormick Paprika
- Marinated artichokes
- 1 dozen Dolmades
- Stuffed grape leaves
- Assorted Olives
- Feta cut into cute cubes, dusted with McCormick Oregano
- Radishes
- Endive
- Sliced cucumbers
- Shrimp skewers
- Chicken skewers
- Grilled Pita Bread
Instructions
- Arrange everything on a large platter and serve.
Notes
Nutrition Information
For more delicious recipes inspired by the Middle Eastern Mezze trend, like, Tomato and Roasted Red Pepper Spread check out FlavorForecast.com.
Photo by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson / Recipe by What’s Gaby Cooking
This is what I would choose for my last supper. Absolute perfection!
Now that looks like a party waiting to happen!
this is just exactly what I want to be eating right now!! everything is so beautiful!
I want to do this for dinner tonight!
Omg, I think I love this more than the bruschetta bar!! I'm obsessed with anything and everything Mediterranean!!! love love this idea!
Ooops, totally meant middle east AND mediterranean 🙂
I never, ever tire of Middle Eastern food, or eating mezze for dinner. We go through a ridiculous amount of McCormick cumin and paprika around here!
Yum, Yum! This looks like so much fun! Wonderful flavor combinations.
What an absolutely fun and delicious party idea!
You're a girl after my heart! Some of my all-time favorite flavors here!
As always, Gaby, your party set ups totally inspire!
You forgot the felafel! Can't have mezze without felafel!
I need a do-over 🙂
You always have the best entertaining bars! I've been following along on Snapchat too. 🙂
I couldn't agree more with the flavors of Turkey - one of my favorite places! I would love to go back and just eat and eat and eat 🙂
This is such a fun way to entertain, Gaby - who could resist all these wonderful bites?
My parents are in Turkey and Greece right now for a month. I will live vicariously through them as I watch all their numerous pets while they are away. Saw your add Gabby in Bed Homes & Gardens this month!!! Cute picture.