Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfect For Sharing - great for couples, friends and families.
  
  

• Date-Night Approved - a delicious plant-based spread that guarantees connection, conversation, and just the right amount of mess.
  
  

• Easily Customizable - make everything from scratch or swap in store-bought ingredients to save time, nerves, and dirty dishes.
  
  

• Balanced And Nutritious - a wholesome mix of plant-based proteins, fiber, and healthy fats.
  
  

• A Hands-On Eating Experience - dunk, scoop and fondle your way to an unforgettable vegan meal. 

Key Ingredients for Vegan Lebanese ‘Lovers’ Mezze Feast

• Meaty Meat Lamb-ish, an aromatic, protein-packed, juicy plant-based alternative to traditional lamb.
  
  

• Chickpeas and Tahini are the base of a creamy hummus that is rich in both protein and fiber. 

• Olives get marinated in olive oil with citrus peel, herbs, and spices, adding depth and zest to this plant-based mezze spread.
  
  

• Vegan Yogurt creates a cool, creamy contrast to the smoky harissa oil.
  
  

• Hibiscus adds floral, tangy notes and a showstopping, vibrant pink color to poached pears.
  
  

• Harissa, a smoky spice blend of coriander, cumin, red chili, and ground paprika, gets sizzled in olive oil and gently swirled into a vegan yogurt dip.
  
  

• Lemon Juice and Lemon Zest 
  
  

• Pears are one-half of the dessert duet. They are poached in fragrant syrup consisting of water, sugar, orange juice, hibiscus tea, bay leaf, and cardamom pods.
  
  

• Fresh herbs, cilantro, mint, and parsley add brightness and zing throughout the meal.  

Equipment You’ll Need

• Cutting board 

• Sharp knife for chopping herbs, slicing eggplant, and prepping pears

• Blender or food processor, for whipping up silky-smooth hummus

• Medium & small saucepan(s) to warm olives and poach pears

• Large frying pan or skillet for browning Meaty Meat Lamb-ish chunks

• Baking tray for roasting eggplant

• Mixing bowls (various sizes) for yogurt dip, lentil salad, and marinated olives

• Strainer or fine mesh sieve for draining lentils and straining poaching syrup

• Measuring cups & spoons to keep your flavor ratios just right

• Kitchen scale
  

• Spatula or wooden spoon for stirring, mixing, and sautéing

• Tongs or slotted spoon is helpful when poaching pears or searing Meaty Meat

• Microplane or zester for getting fine lemon and orange zest

• Beautiful serving plates or shallow bowls 

How to prepare Vegan Lebanese ‘Lovers’ Mezze Feast

1. Whip up Humus with Meaty Meat Chunks

Chop Meaty Meat Lamb-ish into chunks and marinate while you prepare hummus. 

Blend chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, and spices with cold water to achieve a fluffy, smooth texture. 

Cook the vegan lamb in a pan with olive oil until nicely browned and crispy. Then, spoon hummus on a plant and top it with chunks of plant-based meat, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of olive oil. 

2. Warm Up Some Olives 

Combine your favorite olives with olive oil, citrus peel, and herbs or spices of your choice (we love the combination of lemon zest and fennel seed) and warm up over medium heat until they start sizzling. 

Remove from the heat and let marinate for a few minutes. Feel free to serve them warmed up or at room temperature. 

3. Sizzle Harissa In Olive Oil And Spoon It Over Seasoned Vegan Yogurt

Combine thick vegan yogurt with olive oil, garlic powder, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt. 

Place in the fridge while you prepare harissa oil. Heat olive oil with dried harissa, sesame seeds, and finely chopped coriander stalks for 3-4 minutes. 

To assemble, spread the yogurt on a plate and swirl harissa oil on top. 

4. Roast Eggplants And Serve with Pomegranate Jeweled Lentil Salad 

Slice the eggplant and salt it to release moisture. Season with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until nicely browned. 

Prepare the lentil salad by mixing lentils, fresh herbs, lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, and salt. Layer roasted eggplant with herby lentils, and sprinkle with pomegranate seeds.

5. It’s Time For a Sexy Plant-Based Dessert 

Poach the pear in a mixture of water, orange juice, sugar, hibiscus, spices, and orange peel. Once they are fork-tender, remove the pears, strain the poaching liquid, and reduce it until thick and syrupy. 

Serve the pears with a dollop of vegan yogurt, syrup, chopped pistachios, and orange zest. 

Tips & Tricks

• Use store-bought ingredients - feel free to buy hummus, labneh, marinated olives, pickles, and canned pears to save time.
  
  
• Prepare in advance - if you’re going for a full-blown homemade vegan mezze feast, you can prepare most of the components the night before. Whip up the hummus and mix the yogurt dip, peach pears, roast eggplant and marinate the olive.
  
  
• Use leftovers as a part of a romantic vegan breakfast the next morning - serve leftovers poached pears with vegan yogurt and granola, spread hummus or vegan labneh on toast, and enjoy it with olives or pickles.

FAQs

Can I make this Vegan Lover’s Mezze gluten-free?

Of course! Just swap regular pita bread with a gluten-free option and you are all set! 

*NOTE: Juicy Marbles meats are not gluten-free certified, but we do not include gluten in any of our recipes.

Can I use other products instead of Juicy Marbles Meaty Meat Lamb-sih?

Yes! Feel free to swap Meaty Meat Lamb for any of our other whole cuts..

What kind of pear should I use for poaching? 

If possible, choose pears that are on the firmer side (Bosc, Barlette, Concorde, and Anjou). 

What’s the best way to serve mezze?

1. Spread a blanket on the floor or a tablecloth on your coffee table. Surround it with pillows. This is your stage. 
2. Light a few candles and play some sexy music (even for platonic gatherings, sexiness is non-negotiable). I recommend a little Daniel Caesar or Sade, for the real ones. 
3. Embark on a romantic (and silky, crunchy, zesty, herbaceous) sojourn with your loved one.
4. Leave the dishes for the morning. 

Can I prepare the plant-based mezze ahead of time?

Of course. Most components can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to dig in. 

How long will leftovers last?

Most components will last 2-3 days in the refrigerator if stored in airtight containers. 

What other dishes can I add to the mezze?

You can add baba ganoush, muhammara, tabbouleh, stuffed grape leaves, or roasted potatoes to expand the spread. 

What drinks pair well with this mezze?

A light Lebanese white wine, crisp rosé, or a refreshing mint tea would be excellent pairings.