Meze

Creamy dips. Golden, crisp phyllo pastries. Refreshing salads. Juicy meatballs. Vegetable fritters. Diane Kochilas introduces the dazzling array of Greek meze and explores its rituals and traditions. A meze spread is not meant to be a meal, but a nosh, a communal, convivial landscape of small and varied dishes perfect for grazing, she explains. Some items might be storebought; others--like bread salad with watermelon and feta, pan-fried shrimp--are quickly put together at home. From yogurt and eggplant dips to seafood delights to meatballs and kebabs, Meze features 80 simple dishes that can be enjoyed as appetizers or used to create a meal. Filled with dozens of color photographs, Meze adds Mediterranean flavor to any gathering.