Mezze platters are one of the great delights of Mediterranean cuisine. These spreads of many small dishes are especially popular in the Levant, and the tradition has since spread around the globe. People love a mezze platter because it offers a small taste of many different dishes, letting you explore and discover which flavors you like best.
Courses made up of many small dishes are enjoyed all over the world. Tapas in Spain, for example, grew out of much the same idea as mezze: share a variety of textures and flavors without any one dish being so big that it fills you up. The name “mezze” even comes from a word meaning “a little bit,” a nod to the small portions.
Mezze dates back thousands of years. Across the ancient Mediterranean, offering mezze was a sign of hospitality, and hosts would sit and talk with their guests for hours over this light, shareable meal. That spirit of generosity and conversation is still at the heart of mezze today.
Different regions feature different dishes, but the idea is the same throughout the Mediterranean. A typical mezze platter might include:
How mezze is served varies almost as much as the dishes themselves. It may literally arrive on one large platter with every dish together. It can be served family style, with a small sample of each dish plated for every guest. Or it can be set out buffet style, with guests taking small plates and choosing from the dishes on offer.
Whatever the serving style, the idea stays the same: a wide variety of small dishes for guests to enjoy and socialize over.
If these historic and culturally significant dishes caught your attention, you can make your own mezze platter by gathering the traditional dishes listed above and arranging them together. It is an easy, colorful way to entertain.
If you love the idea of a mezze platter but would rather leave the work to us, bring your family to Aladdin Mediterranean Cafe on Clairemont Mesa Blvd and order one from our menu. You can try every dish and find out for yourself what you like. Mezze is also a fairly light meal or appetizer, so there is always room to follow it up with another favorite.
Planning a party, office lunch or family gathering? Mezze is a natural fit for events, and our catering team can take the workload off your plate while you and your guests enjoy a delicious meal together.
Mezze is an amazing way to eat, with a delicious selection of classic dishes to choose from. The next time you are looking for something special for guests, family or just yourself, stop by Aladdin Mediterranean Cafe in San Diego and share a mezze platter.
Due to exponentially increasing rates of heart disease and obesity, more and more people are becoming health-conscious in an effort to increase the quality and length of their lives. Many people jump on the bandwagon of extreme or crash dieting, believing that it will help them achieve favorable results faster. However, this type of dieting is not sustainable over a long period of time, and most people become “yo-yo” dieters, losing and gaining weight quickly and wreaking havoc on their health
The most effective path to long-term health is a true lifestyle overhaul. By incorporating moderate and sustainable changes, you can maintain a healthy diet and enjoy long-term health. One of the most popular and effective ways to achieve this is to incorporate a traditional Mediterranean diet.
What is the Mediterranean Diet?
Contrary to what many people believe, a true Mediterranean diet is not the pasta-heavy diet that many of us associate with Mediterranean food. A true Mediterranean diet revolves heavily around fresh fruits and vegetables, beans and legumes, seafood and poultry, dairy, and nuts. Pastas are typically included as small side dishes rather than the base of a meal, and pizzas are thin crusted and topped with lots of fresh vegetables rather than cured meats.
Aladdin Cafe
Aladdin Cafe incorporates the best of Mediterranean cuisine with a menu that is both healthy and flavorful. With dishes ranging from wood-fired pizzas, fresh Greek-style salads, and healthy sandwiches, Aladdin Cafe has something for every appetite. All dishes are prepared fresh with only the best quality ingredients, using healthy Mediterranean staples like olive oil, fresh vegetables, and seafood.
Vegetarian Dishes
A variety of vegetarian-friendly dishes are available. One favorite is Jasmin’s Vegetarian Pizza, which is topped with assorted grilled vegetables, roasted peppers, fresh tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese. Basil and thyme finish it off for a delicious, Mediterranean-inspired flavor.
Or opt for the falafel sandwich. Ground chickpeas and spices are combined into round falafel balls, topped with lettuce and tomatoes, and wrapped in a fresh pita for a savory and filling vegetarian meal.
For a substantial portion of fresh vegetarian ingredients, the Vegetarian Meza Platter incorporates a little of everything into one satisfying meal. Served alongside a roll of fresh pita bread and a side of tahini dressing, enjoy a platter of traditional Mediterranean foods like tabouleh, fattoush, and falafel. This dish gives you a taste of everything and is substantial enough for sharing.
Enjoy the Taste of the Mediterranean at Aladdin Cafe
With something for everybody, Aladdin Cafe proves that healthy food can be truly satisfying and delicious. Incorporate a bit of the Mediterranean into your diet and enjoy improved health and wellness without sacrificing taste.
If you want eating that is fun, delicious and exotic, there is no better choice than Middle Eastern food. Nothing is better than eating this food fresh in a good restaurant. If you are interested in Eastern culture, learn more about Middle Eastern foods and restaurants.
The Basics of Middle Eastern Food
There are numerous Middle Eastern dishes that may sound familiar. These foods are popular throughout the Middle East, North Africa and the rest of the world.
Hummus is a mashed dip made of beans or chickpeas and blended with seasonings. Falafels are balls made of beans or chickpeas that are deep fried and topped with sauce or vegetables.
Middle Eastern foods are found in street markets and grocery stores. However, no replacement is found for the fresh food being served in authentic Middle Eastern restaurants.
Healthy Eating
Middle Easterners enjoy many of the same ingredients that everyone else does. Common ingredients include olive oil, sauces, pita breads, chickpeas and vegetables. Since many ingredients are natural, it is easy to benefit from a healthy lunch. Vegetarian food is not always easy to find in any kind of restaurant. Chefs find it easy to create vegan food based solely on Middle Eastern ingredients.
When people go to restaurants, they assume that the foods are overindulgent and unhealthy. That is not true if you go to the right restaurants. At many places, the customers receive menus with detailed nutritional labels. Restaurant chefs know that the new trend is healthy eating, so they are using healthier ingredients and creating fuller dishes.
Reasons to Eat Out
At any restaurant, it is important to have options. Choose how much food you want and where you want to eat. Sitting in the restaurant and eating good food is only one option. Customers should be able to take these dishes home with them.
Another version of eating out is catering out. Find a good Middle Eastern place that provides catering to any event, whether it is a birthday party, office meeting or home dinner. Middle Eastern dishes are sophisticated enough to satisfy the needs of corporate catering. When you need a change from fast food, choose foods from this part of the world.
Armenia, Persia, Iran and India are countries that you know about. If you really want to know these countries, you have to know about the cuisines. From this part of the world, the dishes are healthy and filling to anyone who tries them. Find a restaurant that provides a variety of authentic dishes from the Middle East.