Good morning, Last week we covered stocking up at Mediterranean and Middle Eastern markets. This week, let’s put those ingredients to use with one of the best low-stress ways to host: a mezze spread.

HOSTING TIP 🍴

Mezze table spreads

Instead of one plated entrée, fill the table with dips, breads, vegetables, and small bites. Guests can graze, mix, and match, turning the meal into a relaxed, social experience.

What to include

• Core dips: hummus, baba ghanoush, tzatziki or labneh, olive tapenade or muhammara

• Vegetables & pickles: cucumbers, carrots, cherry tomatoes, olives, pickled turnips or peppers

• Breads & scoops: warm pita, lavash, flatbread, or crackers

• Proteins & hearty bites: chicken skewers, kofte or meatballs, falafel, cheeses like feta or halloumi

• Finishing touches: fresh herbs, toasted nuts, olive oil drizzle, za’atar or dukkah

Why it works: Everything can be prepped ahead, served room temp, and arranged last-minute for a full, colorful table that feels generous without being complicated.

Pro move: Aim for variety — creamy, smoky, tangy, and crunchy elements all on one table keep every bite exciting.

RECIPE RECOMMENDATIONS ✅

Kebabs collection

Looking for something to pair with your mezze spread? Check out our kebab collection on Cook Well:

FOOD TRENDS 🚀

Tanghulu

Why do people love tanghulu so much?

Tanghulu is a popular Chinese street food snack - it turns fruit into a colorful candied treat by covering it in a sugar candy shell. Though originally made with hawthorne berries, the technique has been applied to all kinds of fruits: strawberries, grapes, kiwi, and even citrus.

People love tanghulu for a variety of reasons:

• Flavor — it has a satisfying crunch and balances the tartness of the fruit with the sugar.

• Visual appeal — its bright, vibrant appearance adds to its curb appeal, making it as fun to look at as it is to eat.

• It’s easy to recreate at home — all you need is fruit, skewers, sugar and water.

A takeaway for home cooking is that adding a textural element can make even simple ingredients way more satisfying.

WINNING READER SUBMISSION 🏆

General Tso Chicken

This week’s dinner winner is Adrian D., who made General Tso chicken. Check out Ethan’s recipe over on Cook Well.

Reply with your best home-cooked food photos for a chance to win & be featured!

EXTRA HELPINGS 🍽️

A read: Rice's secret superfood

In a minute or less: Cleaning stainless steel pans

What we’re watching: Camping recipes

Food science: Taste

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