The $10 Mezze Platter: An Academy Awards-Inspired Recipe

Hey guys! I am THRILLED to be participating in an Academy Awards-inspired blog party with 7 of my favorite blogger friends!

I am a huge movie buff, and every year, I attempt to see as many of the Academy Awards Best Picture nominees as I can. This year, I took my hobby to the next level and teamed up with 7 other bloggers to bring you a total of 8 party-appropriate recipes – one for each of the Best Picture nominated films!

Check Out 7 Other Best Picture-Inspired Recipes:

• Birdman: Vegan Blackberry Whiskey Pie With Chocolate Pie Crust from Nellie Bellie
• Boyhood: All-Natural Texas Queso Tortilla Cups from Carpe Season
• Grand Budapest Hotel: Lemon Chantilly Cream Puffs from Femme Fraiche
• The Imitation Game: High Tea from Pickles Travel
• Selma: Alabama Firecrackers from The Honour System
• The Theory Of Everything: Boozy Nutella Milkshakes from Dining With Alice
• Whiplash: Golden Potato, Bacon, and Rosemary Pizza from Savoury Table

My Recipe: The $10 Mezze Platter, Inspired By American Sniper

Let me make one thing clear: American Sniper is not a film about food. Not in the least. But I was inspired by one scene in particular, which involved a group of people gathering over a table full of delicious-looking Middle-Eastern food.

Sticking to my cheap recipe theme, I came up with a mezze platter – a selection of dips and small bites that is often served as an appetizer course in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries – for less than $10.00.

The Menu & What I Paid

I usually have to shop around to find the cheapest food items possible, but one trip to Trader Joe’s was all it took to create this platter. Here’s what I paid:

• Picholine olives: $1.99
• Pita bread (to make homemade pita chips): $1.69
• English cucumber: $1.69
• Roasted garlic hummus: $1.99
• Greek yogurt (to make homemade tzatziki sauce): $1.69 (To make, mix one container of Greek yogurt with 1/4 cup diced cucumber, fresh garlic, and a teaspoon of red wine vinegar)

Total cost: $9.05 (not including cost of olive oil, vinegar, and garlic)

You truly don’t have to spend a lot of money to create a great appetizer platter. I’ve done this before with my $10 Cheese Plate and $10 Appetizer Spread.

Start Planning Your Oscars Party Today

Now you have an excuse to throw an Academy Awards-themed party – and you have 8 party-ready recipes to choose from. Even better, get your friends to join in and each take a recipe. This could be the greatest party of your year!

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