Mezze are an integral part of life in much of the Muslim Mediterranean, and as with tapas, provide one of the most civilised and exciting ways to eat. At the restaurant we fit many mezze on to one plate. This is fine but the real joy of mezze is the array on the table and the sharing. We have put together some dishes from Morocco, Turkey, Egypt and Lebanon. Many are distinct to their region, yet there is still a crossover in tastes and textures that give a harmony within the selection.
At home, creating a mezze spread out of eight to ten dishes is not something you could do the whole time, but now and then it is a fun and memorable way to share food. Here are some tips we try to follow when making mezze: