While the tapas of Spanish cuisine may be the most common form of small plates this type of dish is also present in many other cuisines including the Mediterranean cuisine which has Meze - small bites from Greece and Turkey.  Chef Oztok of Cravings (West Hollywood, CA), has created several enticing Meze dishes that will tempt your taste buds into craving more.  Chef Oztok's Meze range from meatballs, to Cacýk, to a surprisingly delicious feta and watermelon that clearly show that less is more!  Today Chef Oztok shares with us two of these Meze: "Grilled Eggplant and Prosciutto di Parma Roulades with Ricotta and Feta" and "Yogurt Cacýk".    Chef Oztok describes the Yogurt Cacyk as "similar to the Greek tzatziki but we use dill instead of mint. It's delicious by itself as an appetizer but in our culture we like to pair something spicy or hot with something cool and refreshing. Cacyk is the perfect accompaniment with lamb and spicy foods."  He is equally fond of the Eggplant Meze which he says "combines a little of all that is delicious about Mediterranean cooking - eggplant, ricotta, feta and garlic. What's not to love?". 

Grilled Eggplant and Prosciutto di Parma Roulades with Ricotta and Feta

• 3 large Japanese Eggplants, sliced thinly
• 1/2 pound Prosciutto di Parma, sliced thinly
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 pound Ricotta Cheese
• 1/4 pound Feta Cheese, French or Bulgarian
• 1 tablespoon Italian Parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh Thyme Sprigs

Heat the grill. Combine ricotta, feta, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper in a large bowl, and cover. Season the eggplant slices with salt, pepper, and olive oil. Cook the eggplant slices on the grill until done. Set aside to cool.
 
On a flat surface, lay a slice of prosciutto, and then a slice of the grilled eggplant on top. Fill with a tablespoon of the cheese mixture, and roll. Cut it in half.
 
To serve: On a plate, place four roulades in the center. Drizzle with olive oil, and garnish with fresh thyme sprigs.

Cacýk

• 1 pound Plain Yogurt
• 2 medium size cucumbers, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• Olive Oil
• Paprika, Hungarian

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