Frederic Melton
Feta is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to pastas and sandwiches. Its salty and tangy flavour adds depth and a unique taste to recipes. Feta can be crumbled on top of dishes as a finishing touch or melted into the mix. It pairs well with fruits like watermelon, peaches, and strawberries, and is also delicious with vegetables such as cucumbers, collard greens, and zucchini. In addition to being a popular salad topping, feta can be used in sandwiches, grilled or baked, or as a filling for stuffed vegetables. It is a key ingredient in Mediterranean dishes and can be used as a substitute for other cheeses in recipes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese that mixes well with feta | Mozzarella, Ricotta, Parmesan, Queso Fresco, Swiss cheese |
| Fruits that mix well with feta | Watermelon, peaches, apricots, nectarines, grapes, cantaloupe, strawberries |
| Vegetables that mix well with feta | Asparagus, red pepper, zucchini, artichokes, cucumber, collard greens, mushrooms, tomatoes, potatoes, spinach, arugula, pattypan squash, celery |
| Legumes that mix well with feta | Chickpeas, lentils, broad beans |
| Herbs and spices that mix well with feta | Oregano, rosemary, mint, garlic, lemon, olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, olives |
| Breads that mix well with feta | Pita, naan, crusty bread, crostini, rustic bread |
| Other foods that mix well with feta | Eggs, pizza, pasta, meatballs, nachos, muffins, honey, chicken, beef, rice |
Explore related products
Feta in salads
Feta is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads. Its salty and tangy flavour can enhance a simple salad, and it can be crumbled on top as a finishing touch or mixed into the salad. Here are some specific examples of how to use feta in salads:
Greek Salad
A traditional Greek salad typically includes tomato, cucumber, and olives, and feta is a classic addition to this combination. You can also try a Greek tossed salad or a Greek-style watermelon and feta salad. For a more substantial Greek salad, add baked feta, or spike it with a little bourbon for a unique twist.
Fruit Salads
Feta pairs well with fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe, grapes, and peaches. For a summer salad, try combining large cubes of feta with thinly sliced shallots and torn mint. You can also add strawberries for a fruity and tangy side salad, or transform it into a main course by adding cooked whole grains and grilled chicken.
Vegetable Salads
Feta is an excellent addition to vegetable salads, as it enhances the earthy and fresh flavours of most vegetables without overpowering them. Try adding feta to a beet salad, or pair it with crunchy cucumbers, collard greens, or zucchini. Grilled vegetables, such as zucchini, asparagus, or red peppers, also go well with feta.
Pasta Salads
Feta can be a delicious and tangy addition to pasta salads. Try orzo pasta with tomatoes, cucumbers, and feta crumbles, or combine sun-dried tomatoes, zucchini, and olives with feta for a Mediterranean flavour. For a simple side salad, celery, cucumbers, and feta add texture and flavour.
Egg Salads
Feta is a tasty addition to egg salads, especially when paired with spinach, tomatoes, and other vegetables. You can also top deviled eggs with feta for a unique twist, or try a Mediterranean-style omelette with feta, spinach, mushrooms, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Other Salad Ideas
Feta can be used in a variety of other salads, such as a balsamic berry lettuce cup, a strawberry and feta grilled cheese sandwich, or a savoury muffin with vegetables and feta. You can also experiment with different herbs, spices, and ingredients to create your own unique feta salad combinations.
The Feta Cheese Conundrum: Is It Pasteurized?
You may want to see also
Feta in pasta
Feta is a versatile cheese that can be added to pasta in many ways. Its unique salty and tangy taste and crumbly texture make it a great addition to a variety of pasta dishes.
One of the simplest ways to incorporate feta into a pasta dish is to crumble it on top. Feta crumbles can be used to garnish pasta and add a tangy surprise to the neutral taste of noodles. They can also be mixed with other ingredients to create a flavourful sauce. For example, feta can be combined with lemon, olive oil, garlic, chickpeas, and herbs to create a refreshing summer pasta dish.
Feta can also be baked and mixed with pasta. This technique creates a creamy, cheesy dish that has become a viral sensation on TikTok and other social media platforms. The original recipe, called bouyiourdi, is a traditional Greek dish made with baked feta, olive oil, and tomatoes. Finnish blogger Tiiu Piret mixed bouyiourdi with pasta in 2018, and the recipe soon gained global popularity. To make this dish, bake a block of feta with olive oil and tomatoes until soft and melty, then toss with cooked noodles and other ingredients such as garlic, basil, and red pepper flakes.
Feta can also be added to pasta salads, creating a tasty and nutritious option for picnics and family dinners. For example, feta can be combined with cherry tomatoes, basil, and short pasta to make a quick and easy dish. Other ingredients such as garlic, red chilli flakes, and oregano can be added to change up the flavour.
When choosing feta for pasta, opt for a quality Greek feta made from sheep's milk or a combination of sheep's and goat's milk. These varieties have a creamy texture and a salty and tangy flavour that pairs well with pasta. Avoid feta made from cow's milk, as it tends to have a sourer taste and crumblier texture.
The Feta Cheese Conundrum: Is It Pasteurized?
You may want to see also
Feta in eggs
Feta is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, including eggs. Here are some ideas for incorporating feta into your egg dishes:
Baked Feta Eggs
This dish is deliciously creamy and silky and can be served in multiple ways. To make it, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a block of feta in the middle of an 8-inch baking dish and drizzle it with olive oil. Crack eggs into the dish around the feta and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bake for 18-22 minutes, depending on how soft you like your eggs. After removing the dish from the oven, stir the warm feta and eggs together. Serve on toast, in pitas, sandwiches, wraps, or alongside bacon or sausage for breakfast. You can also add vegetables like spinach, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, or mushrooms to the dish before baking.
Scrambled Eggs with Feta
Feta cheese is a great addition to scrambled eggs, especially when paired with salsa, cilantro, and black beans. The tanginess and crumbly texture of feta complement the other ingredients well. You can also sprinkle feta on top of tacos and Mexican-inspired salads.
Omelette with Feta
Feta is a tasty addition to an omelette, especially when combined with vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, and sundried tomatoes. You can also add chicken, tomatoes, or olives to create a heartier dish.
Egg Bites with Feta
For a quick and easy option, try making egg bites with feta, spinach, tomatoes, and roasted mushrooms. This combination is a popular choice for a nutritious and flavourful breakfast or snack.
When using feta in egg dishes, it is recommended to crumble the cheese and adjust the amount to your taste preferences. Feta's salty and tangy flavour can enhance the overall flavour of the dish.
Feta Cheese: Friend or Foe for Vegetarians?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Feta in sandwiches
Feta is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of sandwiches. Its salty and tangy flavour can enhance a simple sandwich and turn it into a delicious meal.
A popular sandwich option is a grilled feta and spinach sandwich. The spinach and feta combination is a classic, and grilling the sandwich gives it a nice toasty texture. You can also add strawberries to this sandwich for a unique twist.
Feta also works well as a substitute for other cheeses in grilled sandwiches. Its salty and tangy flavour can add a nice kick to a traditional grilled cheese sandwich. For a more substantial sandwich, try a grilled chicken Greek pita pocket. Stuff the pita with grilled chicken, artichoke hearts, baby spinach, cucumber, kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, and feta cheese.
Another option is to use feta as a spread or dip for sandwiches. You can grill or bake a block of feta, which softens the texture and makes it gooey. Spread this on bread, pita, or naan for a delicious and simple sandwich. You can also marinate feta in olive oil, fresh herbs, garlic, lemon, and sun-dried tomatoes for an extra flavourful spread.
Feta also pairs well with vegetables, so feel free to experiment with different combinations. Zucchini, red peppers, asparagus, and cucumbers all work well with feta. You can also try making a rustic crusty bread dip with olive oil, olives, garlic, and feta, which can be enjoyed with a simple vegetable sandwich.
Freestyle Points in Feta Cheese: How Many?
You may want to see also
Feta with fruit
Feta is a versatile cheese that can be used to enhance the flavour of a dish with its salty tanginess. It can be grilled, baked, or marinated, and pairs well with fruits, vegetables, herbs, and other cheeses.
Feta pairs well with sweet fruits like melons and stone fruits like apricots and nectarines, adding a salty contrast to the sweet flavours. Here are some specific examples and tips for pairing feta with fruit:
- Watermelon: Crumbled feta on top of sliced watermelon is a refreshing summer treat.
- Berries: Feta can be combined with berries, such as strawberries and blueberries, to create a colourful and tasty salad. To enhance the flavour even more, add some toasted pecans or walnuts and a vinaigrette made with honey and red wine vinegar.
- Cranberries: The tartness of cranberries pairs perfectly with the sweetness of other fruits and the saltiness of feta.
- Grapes: Feta crumbles can be sprinkled on top of grapes for a quick and easy snack or salad topping.
- Apricots and Nectarines: These stone fruits pair well with feta, especially when it is crumbled or grilled.
When pairing feta with fruit, look for a block of feta cheese rather than pre-crumbled feta for the best flavour and texture. The feta can be crumbled or grilled and paired with a variety of fruits to create a tasty appetizer, snack, or salad.
Tofu and Feta: Similarities and Differences
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Feta is a versatile cheese that can be paired with sweet fruits like melons, stone fruits, and berries, as well as vegetables like asparagus, zucchini, and red peppers. It is also commonly used in Mediterranean dishes, adding a salty, tangy twist to recipes.
Feta is a popular addition to salads, pasta, and eggs. It can be crumbled on top of a Greek salad, garnishing pasta, or used in omelettes and scrambled eggs. Feta is also a common ingredient in Mediterranean dishes like spinach pie and savoury muffins.
Yes, feta can be grilled or baked to soften its texture and make it gooey. Grilled feta pairs well with bread, pita, or naan, while baked feta can be served with crackers, naan, or crostini.
Feta is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of recipes, including marinated feta appetizers, cucumber feta rolls, grilled chicken pita pockets, and stuffed vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, and peppers. It can also be used as a topping for pizza, tacos, and nachos.
