The Mediterranean tradition of hospitality is brought to life in the Middle East through the vivid flavors of mezze, tasty appetizers presented to guests -- who are always expected and always welcome. As people sit together, they nosh on any one of hundreds of these small dishes that mark the Middle Eastern dining experience. Mezze can be as simple as a bowl of olives or pickles or as involved as stuffed and deep-fried phylo "cigarettes." Often as many as a dozen mezze accompany drinks, precede a meal, or grace an afternoon coffee klatch. Hummus (ground chick peas and tahini), baba ghanoosh (ground eggplant, garlic, and tahini), and tabbouleh (bulgar with fresh herbs, tomatoes, lemons, and olive oil) are well-known in the States but are just the tip of the mezze-iceberg. Mezze dishes are not a distinct category of food, though. Many dishes that are served as mezze, such as red pepper salad and rolled eggplants, can be included in the main course of a meal.