Lunch: Picnic Meze

Recipe by Elaine Johnson In this fresh, easy spread, the chile-herb sauce serves as both a dip and a swirl-in for flavoring hummus. Picnic tips: Roll lettuce in a towel, enclose in a plastic bag, and stash at the top of the cooler so it doesn't get crush

Ingredients

3/4 pound small whole lettuces, such as Little Gem
8 large hard-cooked eggs, peeled and halved
3 large Persian cucumbers or 1/2 English cucumber, cut into spears
1/2 cup black or green olives, such as kalamata
About 10 oz. Turkish simit* (sesame ring bread), soft lavash, or other bread such as focaccia or ciabatta
1/2 pt. plain hummus
Classic Zaatar
Spicy Green Sauce

Instructions

Cut lettuces lengthwise through core into 1 1/2-in.-wide pieces. Rinse well and pat dry.
Set out all ingredients on a cutting board, including zaatar and green sauce for seasoning. Swirl hummus with a spoon, making indentations; spoon about 2 tbsp. green sauce into indentations, then swirl a little more.
*Look for simit at Turkish restaurants and Middle Eastern bakeries.
Make ahead: Up to 4 hours, everything except bread and zaatar chilled separately.

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