Kamil Perry
Feta cheese is a Greek treasure and a staple ingredient in traditional Greek cuisine. It is a tangy, salty, crumbly soft cheese that is traditionally made from sheep's milk, often cut with goat's milk, and sometimes made with cow's milk. Feta can be used in a variety of dishes, from soups to salads, breakfast to dinner, seafood to vegetables, and even desserts. One popular way to cook feta is to bake it, which can be done in a variety of ways, such as with honey, chilli and oregano, or with an herb-infused olive and sundried tomato topping.
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What You'll Learn
Baked feta with honey
To make this dish, start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a rectangular block of feta cheese, about 1/2 inch to 1 inch thick, in the centre of an oven-safe baking pan or dish. Drizzle the feta with olive oil, making sure to coat the entire top and sides. You can also add some herbs such as thyme or mint at this stage for extra flavour.
Bake the feta for about 8 to 10 minutes, until it is warm, soft, and slightly springy to the touch but not melted. Keep a close eye on it to avoid overcooking. Once the feta is almost done, heat some honey in the microwave or over a pan of simmering water until it is fluid enough to spread. Remove the feta from the oven and drizzle the warmed honey over the surface, using a pastry brush if needed.
Return the feta to the oven and broil for approximately 5 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and caramelized. Check on it every 2 minutes to avoid burning. Finally, remove the baked feta from the oven and serve immediately with pita bread, crackers, or slices of baguette. Enjoy the warm, creamy, and luscious treat!
You can also experiment with different toppings and variations. For example, try adding chilli flakes for a spicy kick, or use maple syrup instead of honey for a different type of sweetness. Olives and oranges are another unique combination to try. Get creative and enjoy the versatility of baked feta!
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Baked feta with chilli and oregano
Ingredients:
- 200g feta cheese
- 1 red chilli, deseeded and thinly sliced
- 1 tsp fresh oregano or 1/2 tsp dried
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Method:
Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Place the feta on a sheet of foil and scatter over the chilli and oregano. Drizzle with olive oil. Seal the feta in a parcel by scrunching up the foil, then place on a baking tray. Bake for 10 minutes until warmed and softened.
Tips:
- Use Greek feta, which is made with sheep or goat milk, or a combination of the two.
- For added flavour, use a good-quality olive oil.
- Serve the feta while it is still warm and creamy, with pita chips or toasted Italian bread.
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Baked feta pasta
Ingredients
- Feta Cheese
- Cherry or Grape Tomatoes
- Olive Oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic
- Basil
- Any pasta of your choice
Steps
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place the cherry tomatoes in an oven-safe baking dish. Pour olive oil on top, and season with salt and pepper. Toss until well combined. Place the feta block in the middle of the baking dish surrounded by the cherry tomatoes, and flip a couple of times to coat it with the olive oil and seasoning. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, and then increase the temperature to 425°F for the last 10 minutes. Bake until the cherry tomatoes burst, and the feta cheese turns golden-brown and melts.
Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish and toss to combine. You can also add some pasta water to help stretch your sauce and coat your pasta more smoothly.
Garnish with more fresh basil and serve warm.
Variations
You can play around with the recipe by adding more ingredients. For example, quartered shallots, lemon zest, thyme, rosemary, or red pepper flakes. You can also swap out the feta for goat cheese or brie.
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Frying feta cheese
Pan-fried feta with honey
This is a quick and easy appetizer. You will need:
- Feta cheese
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Olive oil
- Honey
- Lemon zest
- Cherry tomatoes
- Pita chips
First, dry the feta with paper towels if it has been stored in water. Then, dip the entire block of feta in an egg and then into the breadcrumbs. Sear in olive oil until browned. You can then drizzle the feta with honey and serve with the lemon zest and cherry tomatoes.
Fried feta with honey and sesame
This recipe uses the same ingredients as above but replaces the breadcrumbs with flour and sesame seeds. You will need:
- Feta cheese
- Flour
- Eggs
- Sesame seeds
- Honey
- Olive oil
Slice the feta into 1/2-inch thick slices. Coat the slices in flour, then dip them in egg, and finally coat them in sesame seeds. Pan-fry the slices in olive oil until golden brown on both sides. Drizzle with honey to finish.
Tips
- Feta can be fried and served with a range of toppings and sides, including olives, mint, chilli flakes, and thyme.
- Feta is a non-melting cheese, so it is easy to work with and will remain intact when fried.
- Frying feta in olive oil gives it a crispy texture, while the inside remains soft and crumbly.
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Mediterranean-style baked feta
This simple, tasty, and versatile Mediterranean-style baked feta is a great appetizer or side dish. It's easy to make and can be served in a variety of ways. Here's a step-by-step guide to making this delicious dish.
Ingredients
- Feta cheese (a block or slab of good-quality Greek feta made from sheep or goat milk)
- Olive oil (extra virgin)
- Fresh herbs (oregano, thyme, basil, and/or parsley)
- Spices (red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper)
- Garlic
- Optional: vegetables like bell peppers, tomatoes, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes; honey, mint or thyme, and chilli flakes
- To serve: pita bread, crackers, pita chips, crostinis, or slices of baguette
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) or 400°F, depending on the recipe variation you choose. Line a small baking dish with foil and place the feta in the centre. If you're using vegetables, you can chop and mix them with the herbs, spices, and garlic, then scatter them over the feta. Drizzle the feta and vegetables with olive oil. Seal the feta in the foil, place the baking dish on a baking tray, and bake for 10-30 minutes, until warmed, softened, and golden. If desired, broil the feta for a few minutes at the end to achieve a golden colour.
Serving Suggestions
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Frequently asked questions
Bake a block of feta in the oven until softened and then drizzle with honey. Top with fresh mint and chilli flakes and serve with pita bread, crackers or sliced baguette.
Feta cheese can be topped with olives, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, oregano, thyme, basil, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Bake in the oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
Feta cheese can be used in pasta, salads, soups, shakshuka, sweet potato salad, and egg dishes. It can also be fried and wrapped in phyllo dough, or served with honey and sesame seeds.
