Go to middle eastern shop, like shemali’s or there are several in Virginia, and you could get hummus, canned face beans (easy to make at home from can), dolmas, little pies with meat / cheese / spinach, falafel, olives, kibbeh. Shemalis also sells frozen kibbeh for oven that you could bake and cut into pieces like pie, and make tzatziki.

OP here, I love you guys! Thank you so much. To the poster who said it’s not dinner, I understand where you’re coming from, but as I said these are close friends and they know I don’t really cook. So many great ideas above, I’m headed to the store and feeling confident. They’re coming in three hours!

You could add Greek beans to make it heartier, typical white or green bean recipes here

https://www.realgreekrecipes.com/white-bean-salad/

https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/greek-green-beans-recipe-fasolakia-giaxni/

If you want more substantial food, add some rice, potatoes or kebabs (can be chicken, beef, lamb, zucchini, tomato/onion, mushroom).

Anonymous wrote:I’d go to Whole Foods and buy:

Grape leaves
Pita
Tabouleh
Hummus
Olives from the bar (2 varieties)
Lamb sausage (in the meat case)
Baba ganoush
Feta
Spanakopita (frozen)

Dessert

This minus lamb and crazy feta instead of feta for appetizer. Put olive oil and garlic salt on pita and lightly toast.

Chicken Kebobs, rice and salad for dinner

https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/middle-eastern-chicken-kabobs.html

Salad, lettuce, tomatoes, red onion feta with olive and vinegar dressing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d go to Whole Foods and buy:

Grape leaves
Pita
Tabouleh
Hummus
Olives from the bar (2 varieties)
Lamb sausage (in the meat case)
Baba ganoush
Feta
Spanakopita (frozen)

Dessert

This is a great list. Baba ganouj is actually really easy to make if you have a gas stove. I might sprinkle some pomegranate seeds on too. Baklava would be a great dessert.

I agree. This is a great and achievable list for what you are planning. The Cava Mezze Harissa is often available at Whole Foods and is delicious if you or your guests are fans of spicy food.

Anonymous wrote:Invite them for cocktails then. This isn’t dinner.

OP, I would love this for dinner. It sounds fun!

Anonymous wrote:I’d go to Whole Foods and buy:

Grape leaves
Pita
Tabouleh
Hummus
Olives from the bar (2 varieties)
Lamb sausage (in the meat case)
Baba ganoush
Feta
Spanakopita (frozen)

Dessert

This is a great list. Baba ganouj is actually really easy to make if you have a gas stove. I might sprinkle some pomegranate seeds on too. Baklava would be a great dessert.

You can get a lot from Trader Joe's. I love their canned dolmas. Several hummus types and pita chips. Frozen falafel and pita bread. Tzatziki. Feta. Olives. I would cook some rice and everyone can make their own bowl a la cava.

If you don't want the sausage you could add some falafel

Invite them for cocktails then. This isn’t dinner.

Anonymous wrote:Whole Foods?
Order from a Lebanese restaurant.

I always order takeout when they come over but I think they’d appreciate this. I love the dip idea above. I just wanted to do it up a little more personally tonight but need to be real about what I can do.

Whole Foods?
Order from a Lebanese restaurant.

I’d go to Whole Foods and buy:

Grape leaves
Pita
Tabouleh
Hummus
Olives from the bar (2 varieties)
Lamb sausage (in the meat case)
Baba ganoush
Feta
Spanakopita (frozen)

Dessert

Hummas dip is nice. Spread container of hummus in a pie dish. Cover with chopped tomatoes and cucumbers and feta chunks. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro. (You could just use the crumbled feta but I like getting the block and cutting it in cubes).

I want to invite another couple over for dinner tonight but am a terrible cook. I was thinking it would be nice to make a huge mezze spread including hummus, grape leaves, etc. They will be fine with whatever and know it’s about the people, not the meal. Still, really love these two and want to make it special. Give me great ideas about how to make a great spread! Can be all cold or I can heat up something. Mostly vegetarian better. Thanks for any ideas!