There’s something about a Mediterranean summer that makes you want to gather around a table, share a little bit of everything, and pile your plate high. We love bright herbs, tangy sauces, unexpected twists, keeping every dish exciting. Prioritizing fresh flavors, light but fulfilling ingredients, and dishes that are easy to make and have no leftovers, this spread is all about enjoying good food together.
Make these for your next summer lounge day ☀️⛱️
A Mediterranean twist on the classic 7-layer dip, layered with beans, spiced lamb, roasted eggplant, creamy labne, Shooka Sauce, salty feta, fresh herbs, and briny olives.
Ingredients:
- White beans
- 1 package of ground lamb or lamb sausages
- Eggplant
- Labne
- 1 jar of Shooka Sauce
- Feta cheese
- Green Olives
- Chopped scallions
- Fresh parsley
Directions:
- Cook the eggplant: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a pan on medium, add chopped eggplant + a good pinch of salt, and sauté until soft and golden.
- Cook the lamb: Heat 1 tsp olive oil in a pan on medium-high, add the lamb, and sear until cooked through.
- Layer it up: In a serving dish, spread an even layer of each in this order: beans, lamb, eggplant, labne, Shooka Sauce, feta. Top with olives, scallions, and parsley.
Sun-Dried Tomato Tuna Pasta Salad 🐟
This pasta salad is tangy, protein-packed, and picnic-approved.
Ingredients:
- Canned white albacore or skipjack tuna
- Cooked and cooled pasta (we used large shells; use your preferred shape)
- Halloumi
- Chopped red onion
- Chopped scallions
- Fresh parsley
- Kalamata olives
- Sun-dried tomatoes
For the Dressing:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- Pinch salt
- Pinch pepper
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
Directions:
- Sear the halloumi: Heat a pan on medium, spray a little bit of oil, add in chunks of halloumi, and fry until all sides are golden brown. Remove from the pan to cool.
- Make the dressing: Add all ingredients for the dressing and mix to combine. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Assemble the pasta: Add in cooked and cooled pasta, chopped halloumi, canned tuna, chopped onions, fresh herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, chopped olives, and dressing, then mix.
- Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
This salad tastes even better after a few hours in the fridge, making it the perfect make-ahead dish for outdoor meals, potlucks, or easy weekday lunches.
Tahini Deviled Eggs 🥚
A perfect small bite or grazing appetizer to add to the spread.
Ingredients:
- 10 - 12 hard boiled eggs
- 1 tsp Apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon
- 2 tbsp mayo
- 2 tbsp tahini
- Pinch salt
- Pinch pepper
- Pinch cayenne (for topping)
- Pinch za’atar (for topping)
- Fresh parsley (for topping)
Directions:
- Boil the eggs: Place eggs in a pot of water, bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes. Cool in ice water, peel, and halve lengthwise.
- Make the filling: Scoop yolks into a bowl, mash with mayo, dijon, tahini, lemon juice, vinegars, cayenne, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Fill the eggs: Spoon or pipe the yolk mixture back into the egg whites.
- Top with a sprinkle of za’atar, cayenne, and fresh parsley and store in fridge before serving.
These deviled eggs are rich, creamy, and flavorful, especially with the addition of tahini, making them a snack that disappears fast and fills you up.
Fattoush Salad 🥗
Fattoush is a Middle Easter and Lebanese salad with refreshing veggies and pieces of fried pita bread. Our version uses pita chips!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup largely chopped cucumber
- 1 cup largely chopped tomatoes
- ½ cup chopped radishes
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 1 tsp sumac
- 2 tbsp cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- Pinch salt
- Pinch pepper
- Pita chips or toasted pita
Directions:
- Make the dressing: Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, sumac, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble the salad: Toss vegetables, herbs, and pita together with the dressing just before serving so the pita stays crisp
This salad is crisp, herby, and is one of my favorite things to eat in the summer.
The best part of a spread like this? Just grab a little of everything, mix it up, and graze as much as you want. Perfect for chilling outside, sharing with friends, or making a regular weeknight feel a little extra.
