Fruit, Vegetable & Legume Appetizers and Mezethes
Great choices not only for vegetarians (and many for vegans as well), these appetizers and mezethes are made with vegetables, legumes (pulses), fruit, and some with dairy products.
Baked Bean & Tomato Casserole - Yigandes Plaki
Yigandes are similar to giant dried lima beans, and this oven-to-table casserole combines them with tomatoes, onions, herbs, and spices to create a fabulous dish. This can also be served as a side dish or (on small plates) as a meze.
Yigandes are similar to giant dried lima beans, and this oven-to-table casserole combines them with tomatoes, onions, herbs, and spices to create a fabulous dish. This can also be served as a side dish or (on small plates) as a meze.
Baked Eggplant with Feta Cheese - Melitzanes me Feta
A fabulous meatless appetizer or main dish of eggplant, tomato, herbs, and feta cheese.
A fabulous meatless appetizer or main dish of eggplant, tomato, herbs, and feta cheese.
Batter-fried Eggplant - Melitzanes Tiganites
The soda water batter is what makes these thinly sliced strips of eggplant so delightful. Quick frying in hot oil keeps the eggplant from getting oil-soaked. Enjoy as a side dish or, with other dishes, as a meze.
The soda water batter is what makes these thinly sliced strips of eggplant so delightful. Quick frying in hot oil keeps the eggplant from getting oil-soaked. Enjoy as a side dish or, with other dishes, as a meze.
Batter-fried Zucchini - Kolokythakia Tiganita
These fried zucchini are often served as an appetizer/meze as well as a side dish. Soda water in the batter makes them delightfully airy and crunchy.
These fried zucchini are often served as an appetizer/meze as well as a side dish. Soda water in the batter makes them delightfully airy and crunchy.
Dakos: The Original Cretan Meze / Appetizer
Almost too quick and easy to be called a "recipe," the dakos is a signature dish on the Greek island of Crete, and is a favorite served with drinks - from beer to raki to wine.
Almost too quick and easy to be called a "recipe," the dakos is a signature dish on the Greek island of Crete, and is a favorite served with drinks - from beer to raki to wine.
Dried Fruits & Nuts
These simple combinations of dried fruits and nuts are great additions to other dishes served at parties and gatherings.
These simple combinations of dried fruits and nuts are great additions to other dishes served at parties and gatherings.
Eggplant Dip w/ Tomato - Melitzanosalata I
This dip is a classic Greek appetizer, and this variation creates a chunky texture with chopped eggplant and tomatoes mixed with olive oil, lemon juice, herbs, and spices.
This dip is a classic Greek appetizer, and this variation creates a chunky texture with chopped eggplant and tomatoes mixed with olive oil, lemon juice, herbs, and spices.
Eggplant Dip w/o Tomato - Melitzanosalata II
This is a smooth version of this delicious appetizer dip and accompaniment to other foods. It does not contain tomatoes.
This is a smooth version of this delicious appetizer dip and accompaniment to other foods. It does not contain tomatoes.
Eggplant Dip with Walnuts - Melitzanosalata me Karythia
Adding walnuts to eggplant dip is a tradition in many parts of Greece. This is an easy recipe, using a food processor.
Adding walnuts to eggplant dip is a tradition in many parts of Greece. This is an easy recipe, using a food processor.
Fava - Purée of Yellow Split Peas
Fava is made with yellow split peas (or yellow daal), and puréed to create an light appetizer or meze that goes exceptionally well with salty dishes and fish, as well as dark leafy greens. This is a great dish for vegetarians and vegans as well.
Fava is made with yellow split peas (or yellow daal), and puréed to create an light appetizer or meze that goes exceptionally well with salty dishes and fish, as well as dark leafy greens. This is a great dish for vegetarians and vegans as well.
Fava with Fava Beans - Fava me Koukia
Fava is most usually made with yellow split-peas, but this version made with fava beans is a delicious change. The beans are cooked and pureed or mashed, and served cold.
Fava is most usually made with yellow split-peas, but this version made with fava beans is a delicious change. The beans are cooked and pureed or mashed, and served cold.
Fried Sweet Peppers - Piperies Tiganites
This is a quick and easy recipe for a delightful appetizer, meze, or side dish. It calls for sweet peppers (bull's horn work very well) and the dish is garnished with garlic and fresh parsley.
This is a quick and easy recipe for a delightful appetizer, meze, or side dish. It calls for sweet peppers (bull's horn work very well) and the dish is garnished with garlic and fresh parsley.
Hummus with Tahini
This dip is a delicious appetizer, quick to make, no cooking involved, and it's vegan- and vegetarian friendly. Chickpeas and tahini are combined with olive oil, lemon juice, spices and herbs.
This dip is a delicious appetizer, quick to make, no cooking involved, and it's vegan- and vegetarian friendly. Chickpeas and tahini are combined with olive oil, lemon juice, spices and herbs.
Marinated Bulbs - Recipe for an Aphrodisiac?
The ancient Greeks believed that edible bulbs of flowering plants were an aphrodisiac, to increase sexual prowess and stamina. Whether they were or not, this recipe for marinated bulbs (served as a meze or salad) is a unique taste experience.
The ancient Greeks believed that edible bulbs of flowering plants were an aphrodisiac, to increase sexual prowess and stamina. Whether they were or not, this recipe for marinated bulbs (served as a meze or salad) is a unique taste experience.
Marinated Peppers - Pipperies Xythates
Bell peppers marinated in wine vinegar and drizzled with olive oil make a terrific appetizer or salad. The recipe is simple, easy, with few ingredients.
Bell peppers marinated in wine vinegar and drizzled with olive oil make a terrific appetizer or salad. The recipe is simple, easy, with few ingredients.
Olive Paste Meze (Tapanade) - Pasta Elias
Olive paste (tapanade) is a quick and easy blender dish, made with black or green olives. Served as a meze, it is a perfect accompaniment to Ouzo and wines, and is also used as an ingredient in recipes and in sandwiches.
Olive paste (tapanade) is a quick and easy blender dish, made with black or green olives. Served as a meze, it is a perfect accompaniment to Ouzo and wines, and is also used as an ingredient in recipes and in sandwiches.
Roasted Red Peppers - Piperies Psites
Roasted red pimiento peppers, known in Greece as Florina Peppers, can be served as an appetizer or meze, or as an ingredient in many recipes.
Roasted red pimiento peppers, known in Greece as Florina Peppers, can be served as an appetizer or meze, or as an ingredient in many recipes.
Rusks with Tomato & Cheese - Dakos me Ouzo
Dakos are barley rusks that are a specialty of Crete. This recipe calls for small rusks with a traditional tomato and cheese topping, plus ouzo.
Dakos are barley rusks that are a specialty of Crete. This recipe calls for small rusks with a traditional tomato and cheese topping, plus ouzo.
Small Savory Pies with Greens and Herbs - Hortopitakia
Hortopitakia are small savory pies made with aromatic herbs and greens. They are easy to make, especially with homemade phyllo dough as shown here.
Hortopitakia are small savory pies made with aromatic herbs and greens. They are easy to make, especially with homemade phyllo dough as shown here.
Spiced Fig Cakes from Corfu - Sykomaitha
Chop up some dried figs, add a blend of fabulous spices, wrap in leaves and slow cook. A delicious bittersweet meze to accompany all types of spirits.
Chop up some dried figs, add a blend of fabulous spices, wrap in leaves and slow cook. A delicious bittersweet meze to accompany all types of spirits.
Spinach, Bean, and Feta Cheese Oven Casserole - Yigandes me Spanaki
Fabulous as a meatless main dish, this is delightful as a first course as well. Spinach, yigandes beans (or lima beans), feta cheese, tomato, onions, leeks, and dill make a delicious combination.
Fabulous as a meatless main dish, this is delightful as a first course as well. Spinach, yigandes beans (or lima beans), feta cheese, tomato, onions, leeks, and dill make a delicious combination.
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls with Rice - Lahanodolmathes Orphana
Cabbage leaves stuffed with a mixture of rice and herbs can be made with the full cabbage leaf as a main course, or made into small rolls as an appetizer or side dish using pieces of the leaf.
Cabbage leaves stuffed with a mixture of rice and herbs can be made with the full cabbage leaf as a main course, or made into small rolls as an appetizer or side dish using pieces of the leaf.
Stuffed Grape Leaves with Goat Cheese & Couscous
This elegant version of stuffed grape leaves is perfect for a cocktail party or to serve as an appetizer. The goat cheese and couscous filling is seasoned with cumin.
This elegant version of stuffed grape leaves is perfect for a cocktail party or to serve as an appetizer. The goat cheese and couscous filling is seasoned with cumin.
Stuffed Grape Leaves with Rice - Dolmathakia Yialantzi
With a name straight from Asia Minor, this dish is common to many countries in the Middle East and southern Europe, each bringing it's favorite spices, herbs, and tastes into the mix. This version is a home cooking favorite.
With a name straight from Asia Minor, this dish is common to many countries in the Middle East and southern Europe, each bringing it's favorite spices, herbs, and tastes into the mix. This version is a home cooking favorite.
Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms with Rice - Kolokythanthoi Yemistoi me Ryzi
Zucchini blossoms (and blossoms from other winter and summer squash) are Greek favorites and can be cooked in several ways. This version calls for a filling of rice, tomatoes, and herbs, and the blossoms are cooked on the stove.
Zucchini blossoms (and blossoms from other winter and summer squash) are Greek favorites and can be cooked in several ways. This version calls for a filling of rice, tomatoes, and herbs, and the blossoms are cooked on the stove.
Tomato Fritters - Domatokeftethes
These fritters are made with tomatoes, zucchini, onion, and herbs. Serve as an appetizer or side dish.
These fritters are made with tomatoes, zucchini, onion, and herbs. Serve as an appetizer or side dish.
Zucchini Croquettes - Kolokythokeftethes
These zucchini croquettes, made with fresh dill, mint, and a sharp cheese, are a favorite Greek side dish.
These zucchini croquettes, made with fresh dill, mint, and a sharp cheese, are a favorite Greek side dish.