Mediterranean Winter Buffet

Immerse yourself in a culinary trip to the sun-drenched world of the Mediterranean! Colorful and bold ingredients will dazzle your eyes and tantalize taste buds. Take your time to savor this meal, just as people along the Mediterranean would!

"Olives are an easy add-on appetizer that can be paired with almost anything. Serve with sliced baguette or crackers."

Andi, Food Editor - Betty Crocker Kitchens

The Menu
Party Guide
Plan Ahead

Mediterranean Food Flair

Skip the appetizers. Splurge on several cheeses from the Mediterranean to set the tone of your event. Consult a gourmet cheese shop or a large supermarket with a good cheese selection. Add clusters of grapes to cheese tray and slice a baguette of crusty bread to serve with the cheese.
Get advice on wines for dinner from your wine merchant or give the task to a knowledgeable dinner guest. Reasonably priced sparkling Prosecco is how many in the region start an evening. Full bodied red wines that won’t set back your budget are perfect for this menu.
Make your own Marvelous Chocolate Truffles, Luscious Chocolate Truffles or visit a high-quality chocolate store to adorn the Chocolate Truffles Topiary. Use the topiary for decorating the buffet as well as for its indulgent treats. Make numerous topiaries of several heights for decorating the buffet table.
Place a truffle or two in a plastic bag and tie with ribbon for a take-home sweet.
Make espresso or strong coffee, and pass warm cream or whipped cream. Offer spiced sugar as another accoutrement.

Brush Aside Winter Woes with These Activities

View films—whether classic or new—set in this part of the world. Online film sites will lead you to good ones.
Discuss a popular mystery or work of fiction with a Mediterranean setting. Your local bookstore will have ideas.
Share photos and stories of Mediterranean travel, or plan a group Mediterranean trip.
Play French, Italian or Greek music. Borrow from a library if you don't have any.

(This is an excellent menu that makes sharing the cooking ideal. Use this as a general guide; skip parts if you've help coming from others.)

Up to 1 Week Before

Bake Espresso Fudgies (if served), following recipe’s Do-Ahead Tip.
Make Greek Marinated Roasted Peppers, Olives and Feta (if served); store in refrigerator.
Make Chex® Moroccan Crunch (if served); store in airtight container.

The Day Before

Make Chocolate Truffles Topiary (if used).
Remove Espresso Fudgies from freezer; thaw and frost.
Bake Tiramisu Tart through Step 4 (if served); cover when cooled.
Make Cappuccino Crème Brûlée (if served); refrigerate.
Bake Baklava Bars (if served).
Chill beverages served cold.

The Morning Of

Cook Slow Cooker Mediterranean Pot Roast (if served).
Make Spinach and Pine Nut Meat Loaf through Step 1 (if served); store covered in fridge until ready to bake.
Wash Boston lettuce for Artichoke-Asparagus Salad (if served); cover and refrigerate. Prepare marinated veggies for salad; cover and refrigerate.
Prep salad greens, arugula and radicchio for Italian Mixed Salad (if served); crisp in food-safe plastic bag in fridge.
Prep Brussels sprouts for Honey-Lemon Brussels Sprouts and Carrots (if served); store in food-safe plastic bag in fridge.

About 2 Hours Before Guests Arrive

Make Mediterranean Onion Tart up to the point of baking; cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
Prep potatoes and garlic for Garlic Smashed Potatoes.
Make Hummus-Filled Roasted Vegetables (if served).
Finish making Tiramisu Tart; refrigerate.

About 1 ½ hours Before Dinner