Pine Forest Winter Mezze (Printable)

A vibrant winter spread featuring roasted vegetables, herbed labneh, marinated mushrooms, and pine nut tapenade.

# What You Need:

→ Roasted Vegetables

01 - 2 small beets, peeled and cut into wedges
02 - 1 small fennel bulb, sliced
03 - 240 ml Brussels sprouts, halved
04 - 30 ml olive oil
05 - Salt and pepper, to taste
06 - 2 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped

→ Herbed Labneh

07 - 360 ml Greek yogurt
08 - 15 ml lemon juice
09 - 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
10 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
11 - 1/2 tsp salt

→ Marinated Mushrooms

12 - 240 ml cremini mushrooms, quartered
13 - 30 ml olive oil
14 - 15 ml balsamic vinegar
15 - 1 clove garlic, minced
16 - 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
17 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Pine Nut & Olive Tapenade

18 - 80 ml green olives, pitted and chopped
19 - 30 ml pine nuts, toasted
20 - 15 ml capers, rinsed
21 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
22 - 2 tsp lemon zest
23 - 15 ml olive oil

→ Accompaniments

24 - 240 ml baby carrots, raw
25 - 120 ml pickled red onions
26 - 120 ml dried cranberries
27 - 120 ml fresh pomegranate seeds
28 - 120 ml assorted crackers or flatbreads
29 - Sprigs of fresh rosemary and pine (for garnish, not for eating)

# How-To:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss beets, fennel, and Brussels sprouts with olive oil, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes, turning once, until tender and golden. Allow to cool.
02 - Combine Greek yogurt, lemon juice, dill, parsley, and salt in a bowl. Spoon into serving bowl and optionally drizzle with olive oil.
03 - Mix mushrooms with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Let marinate for at least 20 minutes.
04 - Combine chopped olives, toasted pine nuts, capers, parsley, lemon zest, and olive oil in a small bowl.
05 - Arrange roasted vegetables, herbed labneh, marinated mushrooms, tapenade, raw carrots, pickled onions, dried cranberries, pomegranate seeds, and crackers artfully on a large wooden board. Garnish with fresh rosemary and pine sprigs, ensuring pine is not consumed.
06 - Serve immediately, inviting guests to explore and combine flavors.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Combines robust, earthy flavors with fresh, bright ingredients for a balanced taste.
  • Perfectly suited for sharing, making it ideal for winter gatherings and festive occasions.
  • Vegetarian-friendly with options to customize for vegan or non-vegetarian guests.
  • Features seasonal produce that is both nutritious and visually stunning.
  • Offers a variety of textures and colors to delight your palate and eyes.
02 -
  • Toast the pine nuts gently to enhance their nutty flavor without burning.
  • Marinate mushrooms in advance to deepen their taste and aroma.
  • Use a sharp chef's knife for clean-cut vegetables and herbs to maintain fresh textures.
  • Arrange ingredients with contrast in mind—bright colors next to earthy tones create visual appeal.
  • Keep garnishes like pine sprigs separate from edible elements to prevent accidental ingestion.
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