| 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 Though originally made with hawthorne berries, the technique has been applied to all kinds of fruits: strawberries, grapes, kiwi, and even citrus.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. | Have you tried tanghulu? | | | 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 | The Cook Well app is happening: Get in on early subscriptions | | |
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