Mouthwatering meze

REALCUISINE | Julianne Glatz

Seems as if tapas are everywhere these days, and deservedly so. But Spain isn’t the only country specializing in small plates meant to be shared in bars and informal restaurants. Greece and other countries in the Eastern Mediterranean have a similar, yet deliciously unique tradition: meze.

I’ve been thinking about meze (pronounced MEHD-zuh) a lot lately. Actually, I’m doing more than just thinking. That’s because this Sunday, Sept. 26, my husband and I are sponsoring a house concert for two amazing guitarists from Chicago, Andreas Kapsalis and Goran Ivanovic. House concerts are becoming increasingly popular as both a venue for hearing live music in an intimate

setting and a way to support extraordinary musicians. The performances take place in private residences. All proceeds from the suggested donations are given to the performers.

If donations don’t cover the performers’ minimum, the host covers the balance.

Kapsalis is from Greece, and Ivanovic is from Croatia/Yugoslavia, so serving a complimentary meze buffet is a natural for the concert. Following are recipes for four of the dishes that will be on our meze table.

For information about Kapsalis and Ivanovic, and the house concert, visit www.glatzclinic.com or call 217-525-8444. Contact Julianne Glatz at [email protected].