The exact origin of Meaze is unknown, but word might come from the Italian ‘Mezzano’, meaning an intermediary course of foods. Nowadays, it is used to refer to «taste» or «snack or the kind of a food needed to “open the appetite.
In the Middle East Mezze refers to certain foods served in small plates prior to main course.
-Mezze includes salads that are meant to be shared as an appetizer course or light meal and it is one of the favorite ways to eat. There are vegetarian or meat Mezzes.
-Bread is the heart of a Mezze meal. Dips are one of the main types of Mezze.
-Hummus, the creamy chickpea puree is a very well liked in Mezze.
-Labneh – thick strained yoghurt which tastes similar to sour cream.
-Baba Ghannouj is another famous dip made from mashed grilled eggplant, Tahinah and garlic.
-Muhammara – a dip made with roasted red peppers, with ground walnuts, breadcrumbs, garlic, salt, lemon juice, and olive oil and pomegranate molasses for seasonings.
-Vegetables feature heavily in Mezze. Tabbouleh, the finely chopped fresh parsley, mint, tomatoes, onions with burghul wheat bathed in extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice seasonings, no Mezze is complete without it.
-Fattoush – a salad made with toasted or fried pita bread, fresh vegetables, lemon juice, olive oil, and sumac.
-Halloumi cheese, usually sliced and grilled or fried, is another famous dish in Mezze.
-Kibbeh – a dish made with minced meat, burghul wheat, pine and spices.
In addition to the tasty dishes of Mezze, it creates a wonderful social ambiance as Mezze encourages people to share and talk. These dishes are traditionally eaten with the fingers and scooped up with pieces of bread.
