This is my version of a Cava (fast casual Mediterranean restaurant) or Meze Morada (R.I.P. local mediterranean joint formerly in Islamorada, Florida) bowl.

This is completely customizable and really just a loose template. I’m not putting a ton of detail into the amounts here. I make as much as my ingredients will go and eat it for DAYS. You can see the individual amounts I assembled in the photo. I will say after making this if I lived near a Cava I would definitely just go buy this…. I think the savings come when you spend the time making this for multiple people or when you make enough to plan to eat it for several days.

You can buy several of the ingredients at the store or make your own here. It just depends on how much time and energy you have. I would not say this is a quick recipe – definitely requires a decent amount of prep. Probably the most involved recipe I’ve shared on the blog, so please utilize the shortcuts! The following take the most time and you could make ahead: hummus, cook black lentils, pickled red onion, pickled cabbage, tzatziki sauce, and make falafel if you so dare. If you do not wish to make the falafel and you can’t find it at the store, just omit it. There’s protein in the hummus, lentils, and greek yogurt (tzatziki sauce). You could also add shrimp, chicken or your choice of meat here too. I made a simple lemon vinaigrette with a mild flavor, I just needed something here to tie it all together and add moisture.