Milos Special Recipe

1. Tzatziki (if making from scratch)

Grate 1/2 cup cucumber and squeeze out excess moisture in a clean towel. In a bowl, combine 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, the grated cucumber, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill, 1 small garlic clove minced, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt and 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper. Stir until smooth, adjust seasoning to taste. Chill for at least 20 minutes to let flavors meld.

2. Hummus (assembly)

If using store-bought hummus, transfer 1 cup to a serving bowl. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil, a pinch of paprika or sumac if desired, and scatter 1 tablespoon toasted pine nuts on top (optional).

3. Melitzanosalata (quick smoky eggplant dip)

If using store-bought melitzanosalata, transfer 1 cup to a serving bowl. If making quickly: roast one medium eggplant over a gas flame or in a 425°F (220°C) oven until skin chars and flesh collapses (about 25–30 minutes). Cool, scoop flesh into a bowl and mash with 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon sea salt and 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper. Adjust seasoning and transfer to serving bowl.

4. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly brush each pita wedge with olive oil on both sides. Arrange wedges in a single layer on a baking sheet and warm in the oven for 5–8 minutes until pliable and slightly crisp at the edges. Alternatively, warm on a skillet for 1–2 minutes per side. Keep covered in a clean kitchen towel to retain softness until serving.

5. Wash and dry all vegetables. Slice the cucumber into long sticks, halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the red pepper into strips, and prepare baby carrots or carrot sticks. Arrange the cucumber, carrots, tomatoes, red pepper and 1 cup pitted Kalamata olives on a serving platter in separate piles or loosely grouped for color contrast.

6. Place the three spreads (tzatziki, hummus, melitzanosalata) in separate shallow bowls on the platter. Drizzle each spread with a little extra-virgin olive oil (about 1 teaspoon each). Sprinkle the tzatziki with the remaining chopped dill, dust hummus with a pinch of smoked paprika or sumac if desired, and finish melitzanosalata with a sprinkle of dried oregano. Scatter the toasted pine nuts over hummus if using. Add lemon wedges around the platter. Finish with a light dusting of sea salt and cracked black pepper over the vegetables, to taste.

7. Serve immediately while pita is warm. For 2–4 people, expect this to be an appetizer or shared plate. Leftover spreads may be refrigerated in airtight containers for up to 3 days.