Kamil Perry
Feta cheese is a popular ingredient in Greek cuisine, and it's no surprise that it has made its way onto pizzas. Feta is a tangy, salty, and crumbly cheese made from sheep's milk or a mixture of sheep and goat's milk. When used on pizza, it adds a burst of flavor and pairs well with other ingredients such as tomatoes, onions, olives, spinach, and various herbs. Feta is often combined with mozzarella to balance out its texture since it doesn't melt easily. Whether you're making a Greek-style pizza or a creative spin on a classic, feta cheese can be a delicious addition to your pie.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Feta |
| Other Cheeses | Mozzarella, Burrata, Kasseri, Provolone |
| Base | Pizza Dough |
| Toppings | Tomatoes, Oregano, Kalamata Olives, Spinach, Basil, Red Onion, Olive Oil |
| Crust | Crispy, Thin, Soft, Thick, Golden, Crust |
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What You'll Learn
Feta cheese and mozzarella are a good combination for pizza
Feta cheese and mozzarella are a great combination for pizza, offering a perfect balance of flavours and textures. Feta is a Greek curd cheese, made from sheep's milk or a mixture of sheep and goat's milk. It has a distinct tangy, bold, and salty flavour, and a crumbly yet moist texture. Mozzarella, on the other hand, is known for its creamy texture and mild taste. Together, they create a delicious pairing that enhances the overall flavour profile of the pizza.
Feta and mozzarella pizzas are often inspired by Greek cuisine, featuring toppings such as ripe tomatoes, red onions, olives, oregano, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. The combination of feta and mozzarella provides a unique blend of creaminess and tanginess, complementing the other ingredients. The mozzarella adds the classic "cheesiness" that is expected from a pizza, while the feta brings a distinctive flavour that elevates the dish.
One popular recipe for a Greek-style pizza with feta and mozzarella includes a no-knead pizza dough base, topped with roasted vegetables such as red onions, tomatoes, and oregano, drizzled with olive oil. The feta and mozzarella cheeses are then added, along with Greek olives, before baking until golden and crusty. This pizza captures the vibrant colours and bold flavours of Mediterranean cuisine.
Another variation is a spinach and feta white pizza, which combines the salty feta and creamy mozzarella with a garlicky spinach and red onion mixture. This pizza has a delicious blend of flavours and a creamy, melty texture. The addition of fresh dill after baking brings a bright herby finish to the dish. This pizza is a great vegetarian option, offering a tasty and nutritious meal.
The combination of feta and mozzarella cheeses on a pizza allows for a fusion of flavours and textures, creating a unique and indulgent eating experience. The versatility of these cheeses means they can be paired with a variety of toppings, making them a popular choice for those seeking a delicious and satisfying meal.
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Greek pizza with feta cheese
To make this Greek pizza, you will need to prepare the pizza dough and roast the veggies. For the dough, you can use your favourite pizza dough recipe or a prepared pizza crust. If you want to make it from scratch, combine all-purpose flour, instant yeast, salt, water, and olive oil in a large bowl; no kneading is required. You can also use your favourite store-bought dough or a ready-made pizza crust.
For the veggies, preheat your oven to 240°C/465°F and place the rack in the lowest position. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Add the onions and tomatoes to the sheet pan, along with some oregano and salt, and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Roast the vegetables for about 10 to 15 minutes before baking the pizza. You can also add other vegetables like spinach, peppers, and garlic to the mix.
Once your veggies are roasted, it's time to assemble the pizza. Stretch the dough gently into a rectangular shape. Top it with mozzarella, feta, roasted veggies, olives, and oregano. You can also add some raw baby spinach leaves, which will wilt as the pizza cooks. Just be careful not to add too much spinach, as it releases moisture and can make the crust soggy.
Finally, spray the pizza with extra virgin olive oil and bake it in the oven until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Your Greek pizza with feta cheese is now ready to be enjoyed! It's a delicious and flavourful meal that brings together the best of Greek and Mediterranean cuisine.
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Feta and spinach pizza
Feta is a Greek curd cheese, made from sheep’s milk or a mixture of sheep and goat’s milk. It is crumbly yet moist and adds a ton of flavor to a pizza. Feta doesn't melt, so it is often paired with mozzarella cheese, which has a creamy texture.
A feta and spinach pizza is a delicious vegetarian option. The spinach is full of health benefits and tastes amazing on a pizza. You can use 6-10oz of fresh baby spinach, or use convenient frozen spinach for this recipe (just remember to thaw and squeeze out the excess liquid).
To make the pizza, start by sautéing some garlic in olive oil. Then, add the spinach a handful at a time and toss gently until wilted. Season with salt and pepper and set aside. Next, stretch out your pizza dough into a 12-inch circle or a rectangular shape. Transfer the dough to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. If you're using store-bought dough, let it come to room temperature first and then proof for 1-2 hours.
Now it's time to add the toppings! Dot the dough with mozzarella cheese, then distribute the spinach mixture, and finally, top with crumbled feta. You can also add some sliced red onions to the spinach mixture for a zingy flavor.
Bake the pizza for 10-15 minutes in an oven preheated to 450ºF, until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted. For an extra crispy crust, use a pizza stone or pizza steel.
Enjoy your feta and spinach pizza! It's a delicious and healthy treat.
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Feta and tomato pizza
Feta cheese is a popular pizza topping, often paired with tomato and basil. This pizza has a salty and tangy flavour, with a light and fresh taste.
Ingredients
When making a feta and tomato pizza, you can use store-bought pizza dough or make your own. For the cheese, it is recommended to get a block of feta in brine, such as MtVikos or Dodoni. Israeli or Bulgarian feta are also suitable substitutes. For the tomatoes, ripe tomatoes with firm skin are best. You can also use cherry tomatoes for a fun and playful twist. In addition, you can add mozzarella, red onions, olives, and oregano.
Method
To make the pizza, stretch the dough out into a circle and rub olive oil and a clove of minced garlic on top. Then, add your toppings. If you are using onions, it is recommended to roast them first. You can also marinate the tomatoes in olive oil, garlic, and herbs before putting them on the pizza. Finally, bake the pizza in the oven until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden brown.
Variations
Some variations of this pizza include adding basil, roasted red peppers, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. You can also try different types of cheese, such as smoked mozzarella, gouda, or goat cheese.
Calories and Nutrition
A feta and tomato pizza is a relatively healthy option, with approximately 208 calories per slice. It contains 29g of carbohydrates, 7g of protein, and 7g of fat.
Other Feta Pizza Options
If you enjoy feta on pizza, you might also like a feta pizza with tomato and basil, a tomato galette with feta, or a burrata eggplant pizza.
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Feta cheese is made from sheep's milk or a combination of sheep and goat's milk
Feta cheese is a popular ingredient in Greek pizza, along with other toppings such as red onions, tomatoes, oregano, olives, and mozzarella. Feta is a suitable pizza topping because of its tangy, bold flavour and crumbly texture.
Feta cheese is traditionally made from sheep's milk or a combination of sheep and goat's milk. The specific combination varies, with some sources stating that it must be made with at least 70% sheep's milk and up to 30% goat's milk, while others claim that it should be made with 100% sheep's milk. The milk used may be pasteurized or not, but most producers now use pasteurized milk. If pasteurized milk is used, a starter culture of microorganisms is added to replace the naturally occurring microbes in raw milk that are killed during pasteurization.
The production of feta cheese has specific requirements and restrictions, which make it a semi-hard, white cheese that is crumbly and slightly salty. The degree of tang and saltiness can vary depending on the diet of the sheep, as this affects the flavour of the milk. Feta is typically formed into large blocks and aged in brine, which gives it a tangy and salty flavour.
Feta cheese has a long history, with the earliest documented reference to cheese production in Greece dating back to the 8th century BC. The technology used to make cheese from sheep and goat's milk is similar to the methods used by Greek shepherds today. In Homer's Odyssey, Polyphemus, a Greek shepherd, is described as making and dry-storing cheese in wicker racks, which some scholars believe to be an early form of feta.
Today, feta cheese is produced in specific regions of Greece, including Macedonia, Thrace, Epirus, Thessalia, Mainland Greece, the Peloponnese peninsula, and the island of Mytilini (Lesvos). It has been a protected designation of origin in the European Union since 2002, meaning that only cheeses produced in these traditional areas of Greece using the specified combinations of sheep and goat's milk can be labelled as feta.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, feta cheese is a great ingredient for pizza. It adds a tangy, bold flavor and a creamy texture when mixed with mozzarella.
It is best to use feta in brine, which has better texture and flavor than crumbled and vacuum-sealed options. Look for the PDO mark to ensure it's authentic.
Feta cheese pairs well with a variety of toppings, including tomatoes, onions, olives, spinach, and garlic.
A thin, crispy crust is a classic choice for a feta cheese pizza, but a thicker crust can also be used.
Yes, a Greek pizza with feta cheese, vegetables, and olives is a delicious vegetarian option.
