Night 2: Mediterranean Mezze
3 small dishes: Tabuli, hummus with veg, and spinach patties
Extra: some zucchini “chips”
Quinoa Tabuli
Ingredients:
- ½ cup uncooked quinoa
- ¼ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 Persian cucumber, diced small
- 2 green onions, chopped small
- 1 cup parsley, chopped
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 2 T olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
First, cook the quinoa in a pot or microwave. To cook in the microwave, measure 1 cup water and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave 12 to 15 minutes, or quinoa opens up (you can see the, sprout open). Cool a little.

Hummus with veg
- 1 can garbanzo beans, reserve some liquid from can
- 2-3 T tahini
- 1-2 garlic cloves
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 2 T olive oil
In food processor or immersion blender, blend all ingredients thoroughly. Taste and season with pinch of salt if needed. Add a spoon or two of the beans liquid of having trouble blending.
Serve with Fresh veg like
- Radishes
- Carrots
- Cucumbers
Slice in quarters and batons and arrange on top.
I finished mine with some Dukkah (spice and nut mix) I found at trader joes. And a cucumber rose I made with thinly sliced cucumbers.
Zucchini chips (extra)
- 2 zucchini, sliced thin lengthwise
- salt and pepper
- olive oil
Preheat oven to 375 F. Line baking tray with parchment paper. Sprinkle zucchini with olive oil, salt and pepper. Massage into zucchini. Then, place in oven 20 minutes or until sides start to turn a little crispy. Then, serve with hummus dip or eat as is (my favorite). They are slightly sweet and a great snack.
Spinach patties
- 16 oz frozen spinach
- ½ onions, chopped small
- 3 eggs
1. Thaw frozen spinach for 2-3 hours at room temperature, or microwave for 3-5 minutes or until partially thawed. Drain spinach in colander, or squeeze box over the sink (the way I do it). Remove as much water as you can.
2. In a medium bowl add the spinach, onions, and eggs. Mix well with a fork.
3. On a nonstick pan, melt 1 teaspoon margarine, and then make fat patties using approximately 1/4 cup spinach mix for each patty. Cook 2-3 minutes on each side and when cooked, keep warm by covering the platter with foil.