Neven Maguire's Falafel Mezze  

INGREDIENTS

Baked Cais Óir:

• Simply Better Toscano IGP Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for cooking
• 1 Pack Simply Better Irish Cais Óir Grilling Cheese
• 5 Small Garlic Cloves, bashed
• Pared Rind of 1 Lemon
• Handful Fresh Soft Thyme Sprigs
• 1 Tbsp Simply Better Limited Edition Hot Honey

Chickpea Fritters:

• 1 Pack Simply Better Baby Carrots, scrubbed clean
• 1 Carton Simply Better Organic Chickpeas in Water, drained
• 1 Tbsp Simply Better Expertly Blended Lemon Harissa Seasoning
• 1 Pack Fresh Flat-Leaf Parsley, leaves finely chopped
• 1 Red Onion, finely chopped
• 2 Simply Better Irish Corn Fed Eggs, lightly beaten
• 75g Self-Raising Flour
• Simply Better Toscano IGP Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for frying

To Serve:

• Baby Cucumbers
• 3 Tbsp Simply Better Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 Tbsp Simply Better Limited Edition Hot Honey
• 1 Pack Simply Better Greek Feta Barrel Aged, drained
• 150g Simply Better Authentic Greek Yoghurt
• 1 Tsp Simply Better Handmade Hot Chilli Sauce
• 1 Jar Italian Olives Selection, drained
• 1 Jar Italian Grilled Peppers, drained & cut into strips
• 1 Carton Simply Better Handmade Original Houmous
• 1 Carton Simply Better Handmade Chilli Jam
• 1 Pack Simply Better Italian Piadina Pizza Flatbreads
• Simply Better Achill Sea Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper

METHOD

1. Bake the cheese: Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F / Gas Mark 6. Score the top of the cheese. Place garlic, lemon rind and thyme in a small baking dish with 3 tbsp oil. Add the cheese and bake 20–25 minutes until golden. Season, drizzle with hot honey.
2. Fritters: Grate carrots. Pulse chickpeas to a crumb. Combine with lemon harissa, parsley, red onion, salt and pepper. Mix in eggs, then sift over flour and combine. Fry patties in 4 tbsp oil 3–4 minutes each side until golden.
3. Quick pickles & dips: Ribbon the cucumbers and toss with vinegar, hot honey and salt; drain before serving. Mash half the feta with yoghurt; season and swirl with chilli sauce. Crumble remaining feta and mix with olives.
4. Serve: Warm flatbreads. Arrange baked cheese, fritters, pickled cucumbers, peppers, hummus, chilli jam and feta-olive bowls for a generous mezze spread.