Kamil Perry
Feta cheese is a delicious addition to many dishes, and while it is often crumbled, it can be purchased in block form and cut into cubes. Cubed feta cheese can be used in a variety of dishes, such as salads, sandwiches, and snacks. It can also be marinated in olive oil, garlic cloves, chives, honey, oregano, and chilli flakes to add extra flavour. When cutting feta cheese, it is important to note that it is softer than most other cheeses, so it may crumble. To prevent crumbling, it can be refrigerated in a salty brine before cutting.
Characteristics and values of cubing feta cheese:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cheese | Feta cheese, preferably full-fat and stored in brine |
| Marinade ingredients | Extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves, chives, honey, oregano, chilli flakes |
| Marinade method | Spread marinade in a shallow dish, add feta cubes, chill in the fridge, occasionally baste or toss |
| Serving temperature | Bring to room temperature before serving |
| Serving suggestions | Toothpicks, pita chips or pita bread, charcuterie boards, mezze platters, salads, chicken, fish, soup |
| Storage | Store marinated feta in olive oil in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 weeks |
| Nutrition (approximate per serving) | Calories: 86kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 0.1g, Fat: 9g, Sugar: 1g |
| Variations | Sweet and salty feta cubes with honey and pistachios |
| Cutting technique | Slice blocks of feta cheese, crumble feta in a plastic bag |
| Storage brine | Refrigerate sliced feta in a brine of water and salt for up to 1-2 months |
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What You'll Learn
Use full-fat feta stored in brine
Feta cheese is a tasty addition to a variety of dishes and is well-known for being crumbled over food. However, it can also be cubed and added to charcuterie boards, mezze platters, salads, or used to amplify the flavour of your favourite meals.
When cubing feta cheese, it is recommended to use a block of full-fat feta cheese stored in brine. Dry varieties will not absorb the marinade as well or have as much flavour. To make your own brine, fill an airtight, food-safe container with 2 cups (470 mL) of water and stir in 2 teaspoons (11.4 g) of salt. Then, add your cubed feta cheese to the mixture and seal the container. Feta stored in brine can be kept in the refrigerator for 1-2 months.
To make marinated feta cubes, you will need extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves, chives, honey, oregano, and chilli flakes. First, spread a couple of spoonfuls of olive oil and the rest of the ingredients into a large, shallow dish. Next, add your feta cubes and pour the remaining marinade on top. Toss the cubes to coat them evenly, then transfer them to the fridge to chill and absorb the flavour of the marinade.
Occasionally baste or gently toss the feta if possible. Bring it close to room temperature before serving to loosen up the marinade. These marinated feta cubes can be enjoyed on their own, with toothpicks, or with pita chips or pita bread for scooping. They can also be added to salads, or used to enhance the flavour of chicken, fish, and soup dishes. When stored in an airtight container in olive oil, marinated feta will stay fresh in the fridge for two to three weeks.
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Cut into 1 cubes
To cut feta cheese into 1" cubes, start by purchasing a block of full-fat feta cheese stored in brine. Place the block of feta cheese in the bottom of a clean plastic bag. Open up the bag so that it's big enough to hold the cheese, but you don't need to seal it.
Now, for the cutting technique. Grip the plastic bag around the feta and gently squeeze the chunk to break it into smaller pieces. You can also use a knife to cut the cheese into slices or cubes. Repeat this process along all edges of the cheese until you have 1" cubes. If you're concerned about crumbling, a plastic bag technique might be a better option.
Once you've cut your feta into cubes, you can use them in a variety of dishes. They're great for sprinkling over a shakshuka or salad, adding to sandwiches or pasta, or even just snacking on as they are.
If you're not planning to eat your cubed feta cheese right away, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge. For long-term storage, you can also refrigerate it in a salty brine for up to 2 months.
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Marinate with olive oil, garlic, chives, honey, oregano, and chilli flakes
To make marinated feta cheese with olive oil, garlic, chives, honey, oregano, and chilli flakes, begin by cubing your feta cheese. It's best to use a block of full-fat feta cheese stored in brine, as dry varieties won't absorb the marinade as well. Cut the feta into cubes that are approximately 1 cm (0.5 inches) square.
Next, prepare your marinade. In a small bowl, combine extra virgin olive oil with your garlic, chives, honey, oregano, and chilli flakes. Finely mince the garlic cloves, and chop the chives. For the chilli flakes, adjust the amount according to your desired level of spiciness. You can also add lemon zest, black peppercorns, or other herbs such as rosemary and thyme for extra flavour. Mix the ingredients well to form your marinade.
Now, it's time to coat the feta cubes. Place the cubes in a large, shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the feta, ensuring that each cube is evenly coated. You can use a spoon to gently toss the feta cubes with the marinade. If needed, add more olive oil to completely cover the cheese.
Once the feta cubes are coated, it's time to marinate them. Transfer the dish to the fridge and let the cheese chill for at least four hours or overnight. During this time, the feta will absorb the delicious flavours of the marinade. If possible, occasionally baste or gently toss the feta to ensure even coating.
When you're ready to serve, bring the marinated feta close to room temperature. This will help to loosen up the marinade and enhance its flavour. You can serve these tasty feta cubes as a snack, appetizer, or use them to elevate salads, chicken dishes, or soups. Enjoy the combination of sweet and savoury flavours in your marinated feta creation!
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Refrigerate in an airtight container
Once you've cubed your feta cheese, it's important to store it properly to maintain its freshness and flavour. Here are some detailed instructions on how to refrigerate your feta cheese cubes in an airtight container:
Firstly, it is recommended to use an airtight, food-safe container. This will ensure that your cheese stays fresh for longer by preventing air exposure and moisture loss. Fill the container with enough volume to accommodate the cheese cubes without overcrowding.
Before placing the cheese cubes into the container, prepare a brine solution by dissolving 2 teaspoons (11.4 grams) of salt into 2 cups (470 millilitres) of water. Stir well to ensure the salt is completely dissolved. You can adjust the salinity to your taste preferences, but a higher concentration of salt will help preserve the cheese for longer.
Now, carefully place the feta cheese cubes into the brine solution, ensuring they are fully submerged. Seal the container tightly to prevent any air exposure. Label the container with the current date, so you know when the cheese was prepared.
Refrigerate the container at a temperature between 2°C and 5°C. Your feta cheese cubes will stay fresh and tasty for about 1 to 2 months. After that, the cheese may start to spoil, so it's best to consume it within this timeframe.
Additionally, you can also coat the feta cheese cubes with extra virgin olive oil before storing them. This will help preserve the cheese and add a peppery flavour. You can also add various herbs and spices to the olive oil for extra flavour, such as garlic cloves, chives, honey, oregano, or chilli flakes.
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Serve with toothpicks, pita chips, or add to salads
There are several ways to serve cubed feta cheese. Here are some ideas:
Toothpicks
You can serve cubed feta cheese with toothpicks as an appetizer. For a simple yet tasty option, marinate the feta cubes in extra virgin olive oil and fresh herbs. You can also add a touch of honey and some chilli flakes for a sweet and spicy kick. If you want to add some extra flavour, try marinating the feta with charred lemon slices, oregano, black pepper, salt, and extra virgin olive oil.
Pita Chips
Cubed feta cheese also goes well with pita chips. You can make your own pita chips by cutting pita bread into strips, then cutting each strip into two thin pieces. Brush the pita chips with oregano-infused olive oil and sprinkle with salt before baking in the oven until golden. Serve the pita chips with a creamy feta dip, or simply enjoy the cubed feta on top of the pita chips.
Salads
Cubed feta cheese is a great addition to salads. Try adding the cubes to a Greek salad or fattoush salad. You can also use the marinated feta as a condiment to spoon over your salad. For a Mediterranean-inspired salad, combine cubed feta with buttery green olives, shallots, extra virgin olive oil, fresh herbs, and a squeeze of lemon.
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Frequently asked questions
Feta cheese is soft, so it can be tricky to cut into cubes without crumbling. Try using a plastic bag—place the block of feta inside, seal the bag, and gently squeeze to crumble the cheese. Then, open the bag and cut the crumbled cheese into cubes.
Feta crumbles easily, so it's best to use a sharp knife and cut the cheese with a swift, smooth action.
This is up to you and depends on what you're using the feta cubes for. A common size is 1".
Feta cubes can be stored in an airtight container in olive oil. They will stay fresh in the fridge for up to three weeks.
