The whole idea of a holiday buffet based on finger foods is to provide a variety of easy-to-prepare dishes that offer an array of tastes and textures for casual "grazing". Finger foods should be just that - small tidbits that don’t require a plate to enjoy. Greek cuisine has a rich choice of small hand-held pies, from traditional cheese and spinach triangles, to cylindrical shaped phyllo pastries filled with meats and cheese or vegetablesa- the Mediterranean equivalent to the spring roll.

Other Mediterranean finger fare can easily be culled from the whole spectrum of meze, antipasti, and tapas that are savored along the Mediterranean coast, from Turkey to Spain. Small cheese balls, such as the marinated mozzarella balls below, or other homemade combinations of soft cheeses, such as feta and ricotta wrapped in herbs, are another great and easy solution. Mushrooms are always a favorite, and stuffed mushrooms are made to be popped into the mouth in one savory dose. Dips are not exactly finger food except that they are usually dipped into with bread or pita wedges or crudite, so they can easily be part of the smorgasbord.

The following selection of hand-held treats is great not only for the holidays but for other festive times of the year as well.

Marinated mozzarella balls

Cucumber rolls with scallop salad

Stuffed mushrooms with minced meat & cheese

Olive pies

Salmon burgers

Humus