• Ina Garten’s mezze platter assembles in about 20 minutes using mostly store-bought components.
• Small finishing touches — toasted pine nuts, olive oil, pomegranate arils — make a big visual and flavor impact.
• The board looks luxe while keeping prep minimal, making it perfect for last-minute holiday hosting.
Why Ina Garten’s Mezze Works
Ina Garten’s trick is simple: buy good components, then elevate them with confident, thoughtful garnishes. The result feels homemade and special, but it takes very little time. If you’re facing impromptu guests or last-minute holiday entertaining, this mezze platter is a fast, high-impact solution.
What You’ll Need
Make a quick shopping list and you’ll be ready in minutes.
- Store-bought hummus and baba ghanoush
- Kalamata or Castelvetrano olives
- Stuffed grape leaves
- A block of Greek feta
- Cucumber spears and cherry tomatoes
- Pita, naan, or another flatbread
- Extra-virgin olive oil, pine nuts, pomegranate arils
- Herbes de Provence or dried herb blend, and fresh thyme for garnish
How to Assemble in 20 Minutes
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Toast the pine nuts. In a small skillet over low heat, toast until golden and fragrant — about 2–3 minutes. Watch them closely so they don’t burn.
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Dress the dips. Spoon hummus and baba ghanoush into prettiest bowls you own. Sprinkle the hummus with toasted pine nuts and finish both dips with a generous drizzle of olive oil. Top the baba ghanoush with pomegranate arils for color and brightness.
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Arrange the board. Place the dip bowls on a wooden board or platter. Add cucumber spears, cherry tomatoes (ideally on the vine), olives in a small dish or scattered, and a fan of feta slabs drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with herbes de Provence.
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Add stuffed grape leaves and bread. Pile on store-bought stuffed grape leaves. Slice pita or naan into triangles, brush lightly with oil and broil briefly to crisp — this counts as the only real “cooking.”
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Garnish and serve. Scatter fresh thyme, extra pomegranate arils, and a final olive oil drizzle. Stand back — it looks impressive.
My Verdict
I followed Ina’s method and the board looked and tasted far more polished than the 20-minute reality would suggest. The magic is in contrast: creamy dips, crunchy toasted bread, briny olives, fresh herbs and the pop of pomegranate. Using good store-bought staples keeps prep minimal while small touches — toasted pine nuts, a quality olive oil, and pretty plating — deliver maximum payoff.
Bottom line: If you want a fast, elegant party platter that feels thoughtful without days of prep, Ina Garten’s Mediterranean mezze is a reliable shortcut. It’s festive, flexible, and perfect for holiday hosting or any last-minute get-together.
Image Referance: https://parade.com/food/ina-garten-mediterranean-mezze-platter-recipe-review
