Mezze, the Middle Eastern meal of delicious vegetarian foods and fresh flatbreads, is our favorite way to eat. Served family-style, mezze includes several tasty options for guests. Za’atar is a mix of herbs and sesame seeds that we sprinkle heavily onto fresh bread brushed with olive oil. It’s also excellent on yogurt, feta, grilled vegetables and meats! In addition to our recipes for flatbread, marinated feta, and Horiatiki – the classic Greek salad – serve some store-bought dolmas and tzatziki for a beautiful patio-ready meal.
Serves: 4
Difficulty: easy
Chill time: 24 hr
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Diet: vegetarian
Ingredients
Za’atar Flatbread
1 lb fresh pizza dough ball (Market Deli)
¼ c extra virgin olive oil
3 T za’atar (plus more, as desired)
pinch of kosher salt
Marinated Feta
8 oz House Feta (Specialty Cheese), drained
½ c extra virgin olive oil
3 T preserved lemon (remove pulp, peel only, diced fine)
pinch crushed red chili flakes (optional)
1 T fresh oregano, chopped, plus a few sprigs
1 T peppercorns, crushed
Horiatiki (Classic Greek Salad)
4 Roma tomatoes, wedged
1 small red onion, cut into strips
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, sliced thickly
1 green bell pepper, cut into bite-sized chunks
24 Greek olives
1½ T red wine vinegar
1 T fresh oregano, chopped
1/3 c extra virgin olive oil
pinch of salt and pepper
Steps
Za’atar Flatbread
Preheat oven to 450°. Cut dough ball in half. Flour dough and hands well. Stretch dough to approximately 18”x6” letting it hang in hands and gently stretching edges a little at a time, working your way around. Transfer to a parchment-lined sheet pan. Repeat with second half of dough. Brush flatbread generously with half of olive oil, and sprinkle za’atar and salt over flatbread. Bake until puffed and golden, approx. 10-12 min, rotating pan halfway through. Remove from oven and drizzle remaining olive oil over while warm. Cut and serve.
Marinated Feta
Combine all, except feta. Cut feta into desired size, place in a container, then pour olive oil mixture over the feta. Cover with tight-fitting lid and chill 24 hours, up to a week. Bring to room temp when ready to serve.
Horiatiki (Classic Greek Salad)
Combine olive oil, vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper. Toss with vegetables to coat. Serve immediately.
