Greek mezze include breads and dips, cheese platters, pastry snacks, and grilled or baked meats and vegetables. Pita bread is the traditional bread to serve with mezze, and sauces can be creamy, savory or full of flavor. Cheese is an important part of Greek cuisine, and filo pastry is the basis for many different Greek appetizers. Meat dishes often involve grilling, and kebabs can be made with various types of meat or vegetables.
Greek appetizers, also called mezze, are small dishes meant to be enjoyed and enjoyed throughout a meal. There are dozens of different types of Greek appetizers, including some that draw on Middle Eastern and European cuisine. Some of the more popular mezze include breads and dips, cheese platters, pastry snacks, and grilled or baked meats and vegetables.
Breads and dips are an essential part of any Greek appetizer feast. While lavosh, crackers or sourdough can be substituted, the traditional bread to serve with mezze is pita bread. This thick, layered bread makes a good base for spreads and can be used to create delicious wraps. For extra flavor, try grilling the pita or other bread of choice for a minute or two, or placing under a broiler for a minute on each side.
The sauces that accompany the bread can be creamy, savory or full of flavor. Hummus, a Middle Eastern dish made from blended chickpeas, sesame seed paste, and lemon juice is a great dip that often makes its way to Greek tables. Tzatziki sauce is a tart, refreshing blend of yogurt, cucumber, olive oil, and garlic. To showcase Greek olives at their best, try a tapenade of finely chopped green and kalamata olives. Throwing together a simple plate of grilled bread with several dips is a wonderful way to serve simple Greek appetizers in style.
Cheese is an important part of Greek cuisine and comes in many different styles for Greek appetizers. A simple platter of sliced feta, olives and grilled pita bread can be an ideal appetizer for a light lunch or small celebration. An unusual Greek dish is fried cheese, in which kasseri cheese is dredged in flour, pepper, and lemon juice, then fried in olive oil until crispy. Because the cheese doesn’t melt easily, the cheese’s crunchy exterior easily encloses the softened, tangy interior.
Filo pastry, a thin, oily pastry, is the basis for many different Greek appetizers. Perhaps the most famous Greek savory pastry is spanakopita, a combination of spinach, herbs and cheese sealed inside dozens of layers of the flaky filo. Ricotta and feta cheese can also be similarly combined in small filo packets to make tiropita or cheesecake.
Greek appetizers that use meat often involve the heavy heat and flavor of a grill. Kebabs, which are skewers of meat often marinated in a light sauce, can make a great entrée that can feed a crowd. Kebabs are often made with chicken or lamb, but other types of meat can also be used, such as meatballs or steak. Grilled vegetable kebabs can also be prepared with mushroom chunks, courgettes and feta cheese for vegetarian guests.
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