Mediterranean Mezze Tapas Cheese & Olive Table Recipe
A vibrant and flavorful Mediterranean Mezze Tapas Cheese & Olive Table featuring an assortment of cheeses, olives, fresh vegetables, and optional sweet accents, perfect for gatherings and casual entertaining.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (for grilling halloumi and warming pita)
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-cook with some grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Cheeses
- 4 oz feta cheese, cubed
- 4 oz halloumi or grilled cheese slices
- 4 oz soft goat cheese or labneh
Olives
- ½ cup Kalamata olives
- ½ cup green olives
- Optional: marinated olives with herbs or citrus zest
Bread & Crackers
- Warm pita bread, cut into wedges
- Seeded crackers or flatbread crisps
Accompaniments
- Cherry tomatoes
- Sliced cucumber
- Roasted red peppers
- Marinated artichoke hearts
- Optional: fresh herbs for garnish (parsley, thyme, or basil)
Optional Sweet Accents
- Honey drizzle
- Dried figs or dates
- Toasted nuts (almonds or pistachios)
Instructions
- Arrange Cheeses: Evenly space the cubed feta, grilled halloumi slices, and soft goat cheese or labneh across a large serving board or platter to create visual appeal.
- Add Olives: Place Kalamata and green olives either in small bowls or scatter them around the cheeses on the board for easy access.
- Arrange Bread & Crackers: Fan out warm pita bread wedges and seeded crackers or flatbread crisps around the cheeses and olives for convenient grabbing.
- Add Accompaniments: Fill the empty spaces on the board with fresh cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, roasted red peppers, and marinated artichoke hearts to add color and variety.
- Optional Sweet Accents: Drizzle honey over the cheeses if desired, and add dried figs or dates along with toasted nuts like almonds or pistachios to introduce a sweet and crunchy element.
- Serve: Serve immediately at room temperature to maximize flavor and presentation, perfect for sharing as a delightful Mediterranean mezze spread.
Notes
- Use a variety of olives for flavor contrast and visual appeal.
- Warm the pita bread slightly before serving for a soft texture.
- Substitute halloumi with grilled mozzarella or another firm cheese if desired.
- Add fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or basil as garnish for freshness.
- For a vegan version, replace cheeses with plant-based alternatives.
- Serve with a chilled white wine or sparkling water for a complete experience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the platter
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
Keywords: Mediterranean mezze, cheese platter, tapas, olives, feta, halloumi, appetizer, party food