Kamil Perry
Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a wide variety of dishes. While it is commonly associated with Greek salad, feta can be used in many other recipes, from appetizers and side dishes to main courses and pastries. With its distinctive salty and tangy flavour, feta can be added to soups, salads, breakfasts, dinners, seafood, and vegetables. This crumbly soft cheese, traditionally made from sheep's milk, can be used in baked dishes, such as the famous TikTok baked feta pasta, or crumbled into salads, blended into dips, or baked into savoury muffins.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Salads | Greek salad, barley salad, chickpea salad, watermelon salad, quinoa salad, sweet potato salad, spinach salad, tzatziki salad, beet salad, tomato salad, cucumber salad, apple salad, peach salad, celery salad, pea salad, carrot salad, mint salad, basil salad, arugula salad, sun-dried tomato salad, chicken salad, egg salad |
| Appetizers | Baked feta, feta dip, feta and crackers, feta and bread, feta and toast, feta and pita chips, feta and crostini, feta and olives, feta and strawberries, feta and thyme, feta and honey, feta and sesame seeds, feta and poppy seeds |
| Main dishes | Baked feta pasta, feta omelette, feta scrambled eggs, feta and spinach pie, feta and zucchini pie, feta and wild greens pie, feta and leek pie, feta and spinach parcels, feta and phyllo dough, feta and ricotta cheese, feta and lamb, feta and chicken, feta and meatballs, feta and stuffed mushrooms, feta and zucchini, feta and eggplant, feta and peas, feta and mint, feta and basil, feta and sun-dried tomatoes, feta and olives, feta and artichokes, feta and nachos, feta and pizza, feta and soup, feta and chilli |
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What You'll Learn
Salads
Feta cheese is a great ingredient to add a salty, tangy and creamy flavour to your salads. Here are some ideas for salads that use a lot of feta cheese:
Greek Salad
A classic Greek salad is a simple combination of cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, red onions, olives, and feta cheese. You can use cherry tomatoes and seed the cucumbers to avoid making the salad watery. Chop the feta into 1/2-inch cubes instead of crumbling it, and cut the other ingredients into similar-sized pieces so that you get a yummy jumble of veggies, olives, and cheese in each bite. For the dressing, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. You can also add some Dijon mustard to the dressing for an extra kick.
Mediterranean Lentil Salad
This salad features chopped veggies, feta cheese, and a light dressing. It is perfect for a quick lunch, especially during the summer when watermelons and cucumbers are at their juiciest and most flavourful. You can also add some mint to make this salad even brighter and more refreshing.
Beet and Feta Salad
This salad is a vibrant blend of flavours and textures, marrying the earthy sweetness of beets with the creamy richness of feta cheese. You can roast or steam your own beets or use precooked beets for a faster option. For a crunchy texture, add a crunchy seed topping. The salad goes well with a zesty lemon-garlic dressing.
Spinach, Pear and Feta Salad
This salad uses a spinach base for a slightly sweet crunch and is layered with pears, feta cheese, and walnuts. These unconventional salad ingredients marry perfectly with a zesty vinaigrette.
Watermelon, Feta and Mint Salad
This salad is a perfect side dish for a barbecue or picnic, bursting with fresh, summer flavours. The sweetness of the watermelon pairs perfectly with the salty feta, and the mint adds a refreshing touch.
Feta, Radish and Herb Salad
This salad features thinly sliced radishes, which are slightly peppery and ultra-crunchy. The radishes pair perfectly with tangy, creamy feta cheese. Garnish with fresh herbs and a lemon vinaigrette for a show-stopping side dish.
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Appetisers
Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of appetisers. Here are some ideas for appetisers that use a lot of feta cheese:
Baked Feta
Baked feta is a simple and satisfying appetiser. To make it, bake a block of feta cheese with bell peppers, red onions, cherry tomatoes, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Add some oregano and fresh thyme for extra flavour. Serve with crusty bread or homemade pita chips. This dish can also be made with sun-dried tomatoes and olives.
Marinated Feta
Marinated feta is a quick and easy appetiser that can be made in just a few minutes. Place a block of feta cheese in a shallow serving bowl and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Add a dried bay leaf and season with sea salt, black pepper, and fresh thyme leaves.
Fried Feta
Feta cheese can be fried and drizzled with warmed honey or wrapped in phyllo dough and baked. This creates a warm and creamy appetiser.
Feta Dip
Feta cheese can be used to make a variety of dips, such as tirokafteri, a spicy feta dip that can be served with nacho chips and black olives. Another option is a no-cook herbed whipped feta dip. To make this, simply mash feta, chopped parsley, garlic, and olive oil together in a bowl until well combined.
Feta in Salads
Feta cheese is a common ingredient in Greek salads and can also be added to other types of salads. It can be paired with vegetables such as spinach, greens, or zucchini.
Feta in Pies
Feta is commonly used in Greek savoury pies, such as spanakopita (spinach pie), tyropita (cheese pie), hortopita (wild greens pie), and prassopita (leek pie).
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Baked dishes
Baked feta is a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer with bread or pita chips, or as a meal on its own. Here are some ideas for baked dishes using feta cheese:
Baked Feta with Vegetables
Baking a block of feta cheese with vegetables like bell peppers, red onions, cherry tomatoes, and extra virgin olive oil creates a warm and creamy spread that can be served with crusty bread or homemade pita chips. This dish is inspired by Greek cuisine, where feta is commonly paired with seasonal vegetables and olive oil.
Baked Feta Pasta
This viral TikTok trend combines roasted feta with bursting tomatoes and pasta. The basic recipe includes cherry tomatoes, shallots, garlic, olive oil, feta, thyme, and pasta. However, you can experiment with additional ingredients like lemon zest, basil, red pepper flakes, rosemary, or oregano to create your ideal flavour profile.
Baked Feta with Kale and Chickpeas
This recipe features a short ingredient list and is both gluten-free and vegetarian. It involves baking feta with kale, chickpeas, tomato sauce, lemon juice, cumin seeds, and olive oil. The dish can be served as a main course or an appetizer, accompanied by crusty bread for scooping up the cheese and sauce.
Greek-Style Baked Dishes
Feta is commonly used in Greek cuisine, and there are several baked dishes that incorporate this ingredient. Spanakopita, a popular savory Greek spinach pie, can be made as individual pockets for easier serving. Feta can also be added to Greek-style nachos, scrambled eggs with tomato, or savory muffins with various vegetables.
Other Baked Ideas
Besides the aforementioned dishes, feta can be incorporated into various baked goods. You can create a feta and strawberry grilled cheese sandwich, stuff zucchini or mushrooms with feta and herbs, or sprinkle feta on top of pizza. Baked eggs with spinach and feta is another option, as well as adding feta to bean dishes like lentils and broad beans.
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Savoury pastries
Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of savoury pastries. Here are some ideas for using up a lot of feta cheese in savoury pastries:
Spanakopita
Spanakopita is a traditional Greek savoury pie that combines phyllo dough, butter, onions, spinach, feta, ricotta cheese, and various herbs and spices. The phyllo dough is buttered and filled with the mixture before being baked until crisp. This dish is perfect for brunch, light lunches, or dinners.
Feta and Spinach Puff Pastry Puffs
These savoury pastries are made by filling puff pastry cups with a mixture of sautéed onion, garlic, spinach, cream cheese, and feta. They are then baked in a muffin tin until golden brown. These bite-sized treats are perfect for appetizers or snacks and can be made ahead of time.
Tomato and Feta Tart
This elegant and easy recipe uses store-bought puff pastry as a base. It is then topped with a creamy mustard layer, sliced tomatoes, feta cheese, and fresh herbs. The tart can be served as an appetizer or a main course with a side salad.
Feta Cheese Foldovers
These golden puff pastries are filled with a blend of feta cheese and green onions. The pastries are folded into triangles and brushed with an egg yolk mixture before being baked until golden brown. This recipe yields 12 servings and can be prepared ahead of time.
Greek Savoury Pies (Pites)
Feta cheese is a common ingredient in Greek savoury pies. You can create pies such as spanakopita (spinach pie), tyropita (cheese pie), hortopita (wild greens pie), or prassopita (leek pie). These pies are typically filled with vegetables and feta cheese, providing a delicious and hearty meal option.
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Sandwiches
Feta cheese is a great ingredient for sandwiches, especially grilled cheese. It is a good alternative to other cheeses and can be combined with a variety of ingredients to make delicious sandwiches. Here are some ideas for sandwiches that use a lot of feta cheese:
Greek Feta Grilled Cheese Sandwich
This sandwich is inspired by the flavours of a Greek salad. To make it, start by lightly toasting slices of sourdough or country bread. You can also use ciabatta or gluten-free bread. Spread one side of each slice with butter and the other side with pesto sauce. Place one slice, butter-side down, in a hot pan. Top with sliced or crumbled feta cheese, tomato slices or sun-dried tomatoes, sliced onions, olives, oregano, and spinach. If you want to include some meat, try adding bacon. You can also add another type of cheese, such as Muenster, cheddar, or mozzarella, for extra creaminess and melt. Top with the second slice of bread, butter-side up, and grill for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Feta and Zucchini Sandwich
For this sandwich, add some sliced or sautéed zucchini to the Greek Feta Grilled Cheese Sandwich. You can also dip the sandwich in balsamic vinegar or drizzle it over the tomatoes. If you don't have crusty bread, you can grill both sides of soft potato bread or hot dog buns.
Feta and Strawberry Grilled Cheese Sandwich
This sandwich combines the sweetness of strawberries with the tanginess of feta. Simply grill the strawberries with the feta and your choice of bread.
Mediterranean Feta Sandwich
This sandwich takes inspiration from Mediterranean flavours. Start with a base of sturdy bread, such as sourdough or ciabatta. Spread olive oil and minced garlic on the bread, then add feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, zucchini, artichokes, red onion, and parmesan cheese. You can also add an egg to this sandwich. Grill it to perfection and enjoy!
These sandwiches are just a few ideas to use up a lot of feta cheese. Feel free to get creative and experiment with different combinations of ingredients to find your favourite feta sandwich!
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Frequently asked questions
Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from appetizers and salads to main courses and even desserts. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Feta cheese can be used in various appetizers and snacks, such as:
- Spreading it on crusty bread or toast, topped with roasted tomato slices and za'atar spice.
- Blending it into dips, such as tzatziki or a feta and Greek yogurt dip.
- Making hand pies or savoury muffins with feta cheese, vegetables and herbs.
Feta cheese can be added to a variety of main courses, including:
- Salads: Crumble feta over a Greek salad, watermelon salad, quinoa salad, or any salad with fresh vegetables.
- Pastas: Try the famous TikTok baked feta pasta or simply add feta to your favourite pasta dish.
- Proteins: Stuff chicken breasts with feta, mushrooms, and spinach, or marinade chicken with a feta cream sauce. Feta can also be added to meatballs or lamb burgers.
- Pies and tarts: Bake feta into a savoury pie or tart, such as the traditional Greek spanakopita (spinach pie) or a free-form pie with tomatoes and thyme.
- Soups: Add feta to a rich vegetable soup or simply sprinkle it over tomato soup.
While it may seem unusual, feta cheese can be used in desserts as well. Try baking feta with blueberries and serving it with crackers or cookies for a sweet and savoury treat.
