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* This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Delta® Greek Yogurt.
Nothing sounds better to me right now than packing a bag and flying straight to Greece. A beautiful Mediterranean country with a stunning azure coastline, preserved archaeological sites, ancient cities, sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and of course delicious food – what’s not to love? While my travel plans will have to wait for now, there’s no reason why I can’t at least bring and enjoy the flavors of Greece in my own kitchen. And as someone who loves to graze, today we’re making a Greek-inspired meze board.
The Greek equivalent to Italian antipasto or Spanish tapas, Greek meze (pronounced meh-ZEH) are a variety of little tasty noshes typically served on small plates in eateries around Greece. In lieu of lots of little dishes, I decided to put together a collection of Greek-inspired noshes on a nice wooden serving board instead. If you and your family love Greek flavors as much as I do, this would make a great party appetizer or even a simple weekend dinner for when you just want a little taste of everything Greek, from veggies and cheeses to Kalamata olives, Greek honey, apricots, figs, and traditional Greek nuts like walnuts and pistachios.
You can get all the optional Greek meze board recommendations listed in the recipe card below.
Along with this board, I also made a delicious Greek Yogurt & Feta Herb Dip. With prep, this dip can be put together in less than 10 minutes. If you love feta cheese and Greek yogurt. It’s not only great for dipping veggies and chips, but it’s also delicious on grilled meats, wings and so much more.
Ingredients Needed for the Greek Yogurt & Feta Herb Dip:Â
PLAIN GREEK YOGURT: You can’t make this dip without Greek yogurt and there’s really no comparison to the authentic stuff. It’s rich, creamy, packed with protein, and super versatile. But did you know most of the options on the grocery store shelves these days aren’t the real thing? That’s right. Most of the big brands are taking short cuts. One way to tell is by checking the label.
If you see thickening agents like guar gum, milk protein concentrate, corn, or tapioca in the ingredients listed on the label it’s not real Greek yogurt.
Ever notice how thick Greek yogurt is? For centuries real Greek yogurt has been made thick by straining to remove its whey, a milk protein, and a liquid byproduct of yogurt-making that contains the sugar lactose. Taking the time to properly strain the yogurt not only makes it super-rich but also reduces the amount of sugar in the final product.
This is why we highly recommend you try Delta® Greek Yogurt available in 5% or 0% Fat. Newly introduced to the U.S. and made by a Greek company that has 70 years of experience making yogurt in Greece, Delta produces its yogurt the traditional way by double straining to remove whey instead of taking shortcuts with thickening agents. It’s also made from the same cultures (the good bacteria that turn milk into yogurt) from Greece’s largest island, Crete, that Greek families have been using to make yogurt for centuries. The result is a deliciously rich and creamy all-natural probiotic-rich yogurt that’s better than any others I’ve tried.
Made with no artificial growth hormones, it’s also non-GMO, gluten-free and without any preservatives, sweeteners, and artificial flavors.
For this recipe, I used Delta® Greek Yogurt with 5% fat, but honestly, their 0% is just as wonderful if you’re looking to cut down on fat and calories.
FETA CHEESE: Look for a Greek Feta cheese in brine if possible which is really creamy with a nice tang and traditionally made from sheep’s milk. A bit drier and less creamy, American Feta’s and Feta cheese that has been pre-packaged already crumbled will work but may produce a slightly gritty texture when blended.
LEMON: Fresh lemon juice brightens and balances this dip. A couple of tablespoons are all you need.
GARLIC: One clove does the trick.
FRESH HERBS: We went with dill and mint here, but you could also add fresh basil, oregano and parsley as well.
SALT & PEPPER: Add both to taste. Your Feta may be salty enough on its own, and pepper may be all that you need.
OLIVE OIL:Â Before serving your dip top it off with a drizzle of olive oil and few more fresh chopped herbs.
GET THE RECIPE!
Greek Yogurt & Feta Herb Dip
Ingredients
For the Whipped Greek Yogurt & Feta Herb Dip
- 1 cup Delta Greek Yogurt
- 8 oz feta cheese
- 1 clove of garlic
- 1 handful of mint, dill
- olive oil
- salt
Veggies For the Board
- sliced cucumbers
- grape tomatoes
- sundried tomatoes
- Greek pepperoncini
- sliced bell peppers
- Kalamata or other Greek style olives
Breads for the Board
- toasted pita brea
- pita chips
Nuts & Sweets for the Board
- figs
- apricots
- honey
- walnuts
- pistachios
DIRECTIONS
Making The Whipped Greek Yogurt Feta Herb Dip
- Place all the dip ingredients except the herbs in a blender or food processor. Process until smooth and light. Stir in herbs and then transfer to a bowl. Drizzle with oil and garnish with more fresh herbs before serving.
Making The Mezze Board and Putting It All Together
- Place your dip bowl on a large marble tray, wooden board or serving dish. Arrange all the mezze board ingredients around the dip bowl. Have fun with it! Now dig in and enjoy!
* This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Delta® Greek Yogurt.