Frederic Melton
Feta is a Greek cheese made from sheep's milk or a combination of sheep and goat's milk. It is commonly used in dishes like pasta, salads, and dips. Feta cheese is often sold in blocks and can be crumbled easily at home. To grate feta cheese, start by freezing the block for 10-15 minutes to harden it. Then, cut off the desired amount with a knife and run it under cold water for 5-20 seconds to remove excess salt and brine. Finally, use a fork or your hands to crumble the feta into small pieces. You can also use a plastic bag to crumble the cheese by placing the desired amount inside and squeezing it with your fingers until it's fully crumbled.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Feta |
| Cheese texture | Soft to hard |
| Cheese block size | Any |
| Preparation method | Cut, wash, grate |
| Cut size | Smaller cubes or slices |
| Cut thickness | 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) cubes |
| Wash temperature | Cold |
| Wash duration | 5-20 seconds |
| Grating tool | Hands or fork |
| Grate size | Small pieces |
| Storage container | Airtight, food-safe |
| Storage duration | 1-2 months |
| Storage temperature | Refrigerated |
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What You'll Learn
How to cut feta cheese
Feta cheese is a Greek cheese made from sheep's milk or a combination of sheep and goat's milk. It is often sold in blocks and can be crumbled and added to a variety of dishes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cut feta cheese:
Step 1: Freeze the block of feta cheese
Feta cheese is soft and has a tendency to crumble easily. To make it easier to slice, place the block of feta cheese in its original packaging and transfer it to your freezer for 10-15 minutes. This will help harden the cheese and make it easier to handle.
Step 2: Cut the feta cheese into slices or cubes
Once the cheese has firmed up, remove it from the freezer and place it on a cutting board or another clean, sturdy surface. Using a sharp knife, cut off the amount of cheese you need. You can cut the feta into thin slices or cubes, depending on your preference and the recipe you are using it for.
Step 3: Wash the feta cheese (optional)
If your feta cheese is too salty, you can rinse it under cold running water for 5-20 seconds. This will help remove the excess salt and brine, and also firm up the cheese.
Step 4: Crumble the feta cheese (optional)
If you want to crumble your feta cheese, you can use your hands or a fork to break it into small pieces. You can also place the cheese in a plastic bag and squeeze it to crumble it into smaller pieces. This method is less messy and makes it easy to store the crumbled cheese in the same bag.
Step 5: Refrigerate the feta cheese
If you have leftover feta cheese, wrap it in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. You can also refrigerate it in a salty brine to help preserve it for longer. Make sure to label the container with the date so you know how fresh it is.
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Storing feta cheese
Feta cheese is typically shipped and stored in a salt brine—a combination of water and salt that preserves the cheese and gives it its salty flavour. If you buy feta in brine, make sure the cheese is fully submerged, as any exposed parts will start to mould. Change out the brine once a week or, if you don't eat cheese often, every two weeks.
If your feta comes in a sealed package without brine, or you accidentally toss out the liquid, you can make your own brine by combining water and salt. To do this, boil enough water to fill your container, add a tablespoon of salt, and stir until the salt dissolves. Allow the brine to cool completely before adding it to the container with your feta.
You can also store feta in olive oil, which can be used to dress salads. Add herbs like rosemary or thyme for extra flavour. If you choose to store your feta in oil, it will keep for up to a year, with the flavour improving over time.
If you don't want to use brine or oil, you can let your feta dry out, but be aware that its shelf life will be shorter.
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Grating feta cheese with a fork
Start by cutting off the amount of feta cheese you need with a knife. If you are using a block of feta, cut a slice, and then cut that slice into smaller cubes or chunks. This will make it easier to handle and grate.
Next, run the feta under very cold water for about 5 to 10 seconds. This step helps to remove any excess salt and brine from the cheese. It also firms up the cheese, making it easier to grate and reducing the chances of it becoming mushy. Gently pat the cheese dry with a paper towel.
Now, you are ready to grate the cheese with a fork. Place the feta on a plate and use the tines of the fork to break it into small pieces. You can decide how big or small you want the pieces to be, depending on your preference and the dish you are preparing. Gently poke and lift the cheese with the fork, turning it into crumbles. Avoid mashing the cheese, as you want to create a light and airy texture.
Using a fork to grate feta cheese is a quick and easy method that gives you control over the size of the crumbles. It is perfect for salads, toppings, and fillings where you want the cheese to be more prominent. Enjoy your freshly grated feta cheese!
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Grating feta cheese with your hands
To grate feta cheese with your hands, start by cutting off the amount of cheese you need from the block using a knife. Feta cheese can range from soft to hard, so if you find it too soft to handle, you can place the block of feta cheese in the freezer for about 10-15 minutes to harden it slightly, making it easier to slice and crumble.
Once you have the desired amount of cheese, run it under cold water for about 5-20 seconds. This step helps to rinse away any excess brine and firm up the cheese, making it easier to crumble. After rinsing, gently dry the cheese with a paper towel.
Now, you can begin crumbling the feta cheese with your hands. Simply use your fingers to break the cheese into small pieces. You can decide how big or small you want the pieces to be, depending on your preference and the dish you're preparing. Be careful not to mash the cheese, as you want to create a crumbly texture.
If you're looking to make finer crumbs or grate a larger amount of cheese, another option is to use a plastic bag. Place the sliced cheese into a small or medium-sized freezer bag and squeeze the bag to break the cheese into smaller pieces. This method is especially useful when you need a large quantity of crumbled feta cheese for recipes like spanakopita or borek.
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Grating feta cheese in a plastic bag
Step 1: Prepare the Feta Cheese
Cut a slice of feta cheese from the block, depending on how much you need. If the feta cheese is too salty, rinse it under very cold water for 5 to 10 seconds to remove excess salt and brine.
Step 2: Firm Up the Feta Cheese
Place the slice of feta cheese in its original packaging or a plastic bag and put it in the freezer for at least 10 minutes to harden slightly. This step is crucial as it makes the feta cheese easier to grate and helps prevent clumping.
Step 3: Prepare the Grater
Take a medium-sized plastic bag, preferably a resealable freezer bag, and place it around the bottom of a box grater. Ensure the bag is large enough to catch the grated cheese. Scrunch up the bag slightly to give it some shape and stability.
Step 4: Grate the Feta Cheese
Remove the feta cheese from the freezer, and gently grate it into the plastic bag. Be careful not to apply too much pressure, as feta cheese is softer than other cheeses. Grate the cheese as finely or coarsely as your recipe requires.
Step 5: Collect and Store the Grated Feta Cheese
Once you have finished grating, seal up the plastic bag and give it a gentle shake to settle the cheese and remove any excess from the grater. You can now easily store the grated feta cheese in the refrigerator for several weeks.
By using this method, you will enjoy freshly grated feta cheese with a better texture and taste than pre-shredded cheese. Additionally, you can avoid the hassle of cleaning up messy countertops and quickly return any leftover cheese to the fridge for later use.
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Frequently asked questions
Feta cheese is too soft to be grated, but it can be crumbled. Cut off the amount of cheese you want to crumble with a knife and run it under cold water for 10-20 seconds to remove the brine and firm it up. Then, use a fork or your hands to break it into small pieces.
Feta cheese is very soft and tends to crumble easily. To firm it up, you can place it in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before grating it.
Yes, you can store feta cheese in brine to keep it fresh. Make sure to use an airtight, food-safe container and try to consume the cheese within 1-2 months.
Crumbled feta cheese can be used in various recipes, including salads, pasta, pizza, dips, and quiches. It can also be paired with olives and tomatoes as a snack or breakfast food.
To crumble feta cheese, you can use a fork or your hands. For a less messy option, you can place the cheese in a plastic bag and squeeze it to break it into smaller pieces.
