Frederic Melton
Feta cheese is a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be served in a variety of ways. It is a traditional Greek cheese typically made from sheep's milk, or a blend of mostly sheep's milk with a small amount of goat's milk. Feta is a popular addition to salads, but it can also be used in a variety of other dishes, such as omelettes, pizzas, and sandwiches. One simple way to serve feta is with olive oil and herbs, drizzling the cheese with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkling it with fresh herbs such as thyme, oregano, or rosemary. Marinated feta is another easy appetizer, combining feta with olive oil, herbs, and spices like red pepper flakes, and serving it with pita chips, crackers, or bread. For a quick and tasty dish, feta can be added to Greek dishes like spanakopita or zucchini feta skewers, or spooned on top of fish or chicken for an extra burst of flavor.
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What You'll Learn
As an appetiser with pita chips
Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be served in many ways, one of which is as an appetiser with pita chips. Here are some detailed methods and tips for preparing this delicious combination.
Firstly, decide on the type of pita bread you want to use. You can opt for Arabic pita, which is different from the Greek-style pita used for souvlaki. If you want to make pita chips, cut a pita bread into six to eight strips, then snip the top and bottom off each strip to create two pieces. You can also cut the pita into triangles for appetisers or leave them whole for a light meal or snack.
Next, prepare the feta cheese mixture. In a food processor, blend feta cheese, Greek yoghurt, cream cheese, lemon juice, and garlic until creamy. You can also add chopped basil, oregano, and olive oil to enhance the flavour. For a more indulgent option, include some chopped nuts or drizzle warmed honey over the feta. Transfer the feta mixture to a serving plate, creating a well in the middle. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with herbs, nuts, or other desired toppings.
Now, it's time to bake the pita chips. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Brush the inner rough side of the pita strips with oregano-infused olive oil and place them on a rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle with kosher salt or Italian seasoning. Bake for 7 to 8 minutes, keeping a close eye to ensure they turn golden and crispy without burning. Alternatively, you can bake the pita bread with the feta mixture on top. Spread the mixture on the pita and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the bread is golden and the feta is bubbly and creamy.
Finally, serve the pita chips or pita bread wedges with the creamy feta dip. This appetiser can be enjoyed as a quick, easy, and healthy snack. For a more substantial meal, pair it with fresh or seasonal vegetables, such as bell peppers and tomatoes, or serve it alongside other Mediterranean dips like sokrdalia (garlic and potato dip) or melitzanosalata (eggplant dip). Enjoy the combination of crunchy pita and creamy feta!
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In a Greek salad
Greek salads are typically made with vegetables such as cucumber, tomatoes, bell peppers, red onions, and olives, topped with feta cheese. The salad is then tossed with a dressing made with olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
To prepare the salad, start by chopping the vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Some recipes recommend seeding the cucumber to avoid making the salad watery. Cut the bell peppers into 1-inch squares, and the cucumber into thin half-moons. If using cherry tomatoes, simply halve them, or cut larger tomatoes into wedges. Red onions are preferred for their colour and milder flavour. You can also soak the chopped onions in vinegar or lemon juice to mellow their taste. For the olives, Kalamata olives are a good choice, and you can leave them whole or slice them in half.
For the feta cheese, buy a fresh block and cut it into 1/2-inch cubes. This guarantees a fresher taste and texture. You can also use crumbled feta for convenience.
To make the dressing, add the vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper to a small mixing bowl. Slowly add the olive oil while whisking vigorously until the dressing is emulsified. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine.
Finally, top the salad with slabs of feta and sprinkle with oregano. You can also add a few mint leaves for a fresh finishing touch. Serve the Greek salad as a refreshing side dish, or enjoy it as a healthy and flavourful main course.
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With sliced baguette or bread
Feta cheese is a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be served in a variety of ways, including with sliced baguette or bread. Here are some ideas for serving feta cheese with this classic side:
Baked Feta with Bread
Baking feta in the oven transforms it into a warm, creamy, and spreadable delight. Drizzle the feta with olive oil and bake it at a high temperature until it becomes tender. Serve it with toasted slices of baguette or crusty bread for a simple, yet mouthwatering appetizer. For an extra special touch, brush the bread slices with olive oil and toast them in the oven until lightly golden before topping them with the warm, creamy feta.
Whipped Feta Crostini
Whipped feta crostini is an easy and adaptable appetizer that takes just minutes to prepare. Simply whip feta cheese with olive oil, milk or cream, and black pepper until creamy. Spread the whipped feta onto sliced baguette, and top with your desired toppings. For an extra crispy crostini, brush the baguette slices with olive oil before toasting them in the oven.
Feta and Spinach Stuffed French Bread
This rich and tasty dish combines feta cheese, spinach, and other ingredients stuffed inside a French bread loaf or baguette. The salty feta and creamy spinach filling create a delightful contrast with the crispy, crunchy exterior of the bread. This dish can be served as an appetizer or a main course and is sure to impress your guests.
Feta and Strawberry Grilled Cheese Sandwich
For a unique twist, try pairing feta with strawberries in a grilled cheese sandwich. The combination of salty feta and sweet strawberries is surprisingly delicious. Use sliced baguette or bread to create this savoury and fruity treat.
Greek-Style Appetizer
Create a simple Greek-inspired appetizer by serving sliced baguette or bread with feta cheese and a variety of Mediterranean dips and toppings, such as lathera (vegetables cooked in olive oil and tomato sauce), sokrdalia (garlic and potato dip), or melitzanosalata (eggplant dip). This combination of flavours and textures will transport you to the heart of Greece.
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In an omelette
Feta cheese is a great ingredient to include in an omelette. A Greek omelette is a classic Greek egg recipe with spinach and feta cheese. It is a delicious, quick, nutritious, and filling meal that can be made in under 10 minutes.
To make a Greek omelette, start by chopping your vegetables. Heat olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add spinach, olives, tomatoes, and onions and fry for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. Next, pour your beaten egg mixture into the pan, allowing the uncooked egg to flow over the vegetables. You can also add milk, salt, and black pepper to your egg mixture. If you want to make this dish dairy-free, replace the milk with plant-based milk and omit the feta cheese. You can also add a pinch of nutritional yeast to the egg mixture to replicate the umami taste of feta cheese.
Once the eggs are half-cooked, sprinkle feta cheese on top and fold the omelette in half. Remove the pan from the heat and let the omelette rest for a couple of minutes. The residual heat will cook the eggs on the inside and melt the cheese. Serve hot. You can also sprinkle some feta cheese on top of the omelette as a garnish.
Feta cheese pairs well with fruits like strawberries, peaches, nectarines, apples, and melons. You can serve your omelette with a fruit salad and a piece of toasted crusty bread with butter. You can also serve it with a crisp salad, especially when dining al fresco.
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As a topping on pizza
Feta cheese is a delicious and versatile ingredient that can take your pizza to the next level. Its distinctive salty and tangy flavour, along with its creamy yet crumbly texture, makes it an ideal topping. Here's how you can use feta cheese to elevate your pizza game:
When using feta as a pizza topping, consider the balance of flavours and textures. Feta is quite salty, so pairing it with sweeter toppings like caramelized onions, roasted red peppers, or sliced fresh tomatoes can create a delightful contrast. The tanginess of feta also goes well with other tangy ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, olives, or a drizzle of balsamic reduction.
In terms of quantity, a little feta goes a long way. Crumble or cut the feta into small pieces and sprinkle it evenly over the pizza. You don't need to use a lot to make an impact, as the strong flavour of feta can stand up to other robust toppings. If you're using a pre-made pizza sauce, consider reducing the salt added to the sauce to compensate for the saltiness of the feta.
For the best results, add the feta during the final few minutes of baking. This ensures that the feta warms through and softens slightly without completely melting into the pizza. You still want to retain some of the characteristic crumbly texture. If you're using other cheeses that melt well, like mozzarella or cheddar, add those first and then top with the feta so that you get the best of both worlds – a gooey, stretchy melt and the distinctive feta flavour and texture.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations. Feta pairs well with a variety of meats, including pepperoni, Italian sausage, and prosciutto. It also works beautifully with vegetarian options like spinach, artichoke hearts, or roasted vegetables. Get creative and try different combinations to find your favourite feta pizza masterpiece!
Finally, finish your pizza with a touch of freshness. Once your pizza comes out of the oven, top it with some roughly chopped fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or oregano. This adds a bright, herbal note that complements the salty feta perfectly. A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil just before serving can also enhance the flavours and bring everything together.
With these tips in mind, you're ready to create delicious feta cheese pizzas that will impress your family and friends. Get baking, and enjoy the wonderful world of feta-topped pizzas!
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