Meze Platter

prep time:: 0 about a hour
total time:: 1 hr

Serves 4 to 6

Connie Rigas Rigas

A fun assortment of flavorful nibbles is ideal for summer entertaining.

ingredients

HUMMUS

1 15 oz. can garbanso beans,drained
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juioce
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
plus additional for drizzling
2 garlic cloves,peeled
2 teaspoons ground cumin
l teaspoon paprika plus additional for sprinkling

CUCUMBER,YOGURT,AND FETA SALAD

1/2 unpleeled English hothouse cucumber,thinly sliced into rounds
1/2 cup plain nonfat yogurt(Greek style)
1 teaspoon fresh mint
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese(about 3 ounces)
1 6-ounce jar marinated artichoke hearts,drained
2 lemons, cut into wedges
4 to 6 pita breads

SHRIMP,OLIVE,AND TOMATO SALAD

16 cooked peeled large shrimp with tails
16 unpitted Kalamata olives
1 cup diced seeded tomatoes(about 3)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon (packed)finely grated lemon peel
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

directions

HUMMUS

1
Place 1 tablespoon garbanzo beans in small bowl and reserve for garnish. Combine remaining garbanzo beans,lemon juice,2 tablespoon water,2 tablespoons oil,garlic,cumin, and 1 teaspoon paprika in processor and blend until smoooth. Transfer to small bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle reserved garbanzo beans over. Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour ahead before using.
2
Drizzle hummus lightly with oil and sprinkle lighty with paprika.

CUCUMBER,YOGURT,AND FETA SALAD

Arrange cucumber slices on plate;sprinkle with salt and pepper. Spoon yogurt over. Sprinkle with feta cheese and mint. Can be made 1 hour ahead. Cover and refrigerate.

SHRIMP,OLIVE,AND TOMATO SALAD

Combine all ingredients in medium bowl and toss to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.

PLATTER

1
Place marinated artichokes in small bowl. Arrange bowls of hummus,shrimp salad,and artichokes and and plate with cucumber salad on large platter. Garnish with lemon wedges.
2
Toast pita breads in toaster, then cut into wedges. Arrange pita wedges on platter with salads and serve.