Patrick Oconnell
Marinated feta cheese cubes are a delicious and simple-to-make appetiser that can be served in a variety of ways. The creamy feta is balanced with tangy lemon zest, earthy herbs, and spicy peppers. The cheese cubes can be served as a snack with toothpicks, or paired with pita chips, crackers, or pita bread for scooping. They can also be added to charcuterie boards, mezze platters, or used to amplify salads, chicken, fish, or soup dishes. Making marinated feta cheese cubes is a quick and easy process that only requires a few key ingredients and can be done in just 5 minutes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation time | 5 minutes |
| Serving suggestions | Appetizer, charcuterie board, mezze platter, salad, chicken, fish, soup, afternoon snack |
| Ingredients | Feta cheese, extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves, lemon, herbs, honey, oregano, chilli flakes, red wine vinegar, shallots |
| Container | Mason jar, airtight container, bowl |
| Storage | Refrigerate, bring to room temperature before serving |
| Shelf life | 2-3 days to 2-3 weeks |
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What You'll Learn
How to make marinated feta cheese cubes
Marinated feta cheese cubes can be used as a flavour enhancer for all meals, a star snack on their own, or as part of a charcuterie board. They can also be added to salads, such as Greek salad or fattoush salad, or paired with pita chips or pita bread for scooping.
To make marinated feta cheese cubes, you will need the following ingredients:
- Feta cheese (a block of full-fat feta cheese stored in brine)
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Herbs (dried oregano, fresh parsley, thyme)
- Lemon (zest and juice)
- Garlic cloves
- Chilli (fresh sliced jalapeños, dried red chillies, or chilli flakes)
- Honey
- Chives
Start by chopping the feta into equal-sized cubes. Toss the cubes into a large mason jar. Next, chop your garlic cloves and add them to the jar along with slices of fresh lemon, sprigs of thyme, and red pepper flakes. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon on top of the feta mixture. Then, fill the jar with olive oil and top off with black pepper. Once done, place the lid on the jar and put it in the fridge to marinate overnight.
For the best flavour, cover the lid tightly and store in the fridge for a day before using. Bring to room temperature before serving with toasted bread or pita chips. 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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Appetizer ideas
Marinated feta cheese cubes are a versatile appetizer that can be served in many ways. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Charcuterie Boards and Mezze Platters
Add a unique touch to your charcuterie board or mezze platter by including marinated feta cheese cubes. The cubes can be enjoyed as-is or spread on crackers or bread. This is a great way to offer a variety of flavors and textures to your guests.
Salads
Marinated feta cheese cubes are an excellent addition to salads, especially Greek salads. Simply toss the cubes into your favorite salad recipe, or use them as a tasty topping. The salty, tangy feta pairs well with crisp vegetables and a balsamic vinaigrette.
Pita Chips and Bread
Serve the marinated feta cheese cubes with homemade pita chips or pita bread for scooping. This combination makes for a delicious and easy appetizer that your guests can enjoy. You can also offer other types of bread, such as crusty bread or crostini, to dip into the feta and soak up the marinade.
Snack or Side Dish
These marinated feta cubes are delicious on their own as a snack or side dish. Provide toothpicks for easy grabbing, or pair them with pita chips or crackers for a more substantial bite. They are perfect for afternoon snacks or as part of a mezze spread.
Enhance Main Courses
Don't be afraid to use marinated feta cheese cubes to enhance your main courses. They pair wonderfully with chicken, fish, and soup dishes, adding a tangy and savory flavor. You can also use them in baked recipes for an extra punch of flavor.
With their versatility and depth of flavor, marinated feta cheese cubes are a fantastic way to elevate your appetizers and meals. Get creative and enjoy experimenting with this Mediterranean delight!
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Salads and other meal ideas
Marinated feta cheese cubes are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas for salads and other meals:
Salads
Marinated feta cheese cubes make a great addition to salads. They can be tossed into a variety of salad types, such as a Greek salad, fattoush salad, or any other salad of your choice. The feta adds a tangy, savory flavor to the dish. You can also use the leftover marinade oil on salads as a dressing.
Appetizers and Snacks
These cubes can be served as a delicious appetizer or snack on their own. Just grab some toothpicks and pierce the cheese cubes for easy eating. They can also be paired with pita chips, pita bread, crackers, or crusty bread for scooping or spreading.
Charcuterie Boards and Platters
Marinated feta cheese cubes are perfect for charcuterie boards, mezze platters, or antipasti platters. They add a punch of flavor and can be enjoyed as an afternoon snack or appetizer.
Meals
You can also add marinated feta cheese cubes to a variety of meals to enhance their flavor. Try adding them to your favorite chicken, fish, or soup dishes. They can also be baked into fish dishes or used as a topping for homemade pita chips or crackers.
Other Ideas
- Spread them on toast with sliced tomatoes or other toppings.
- Use them as a topping for crostini or crunchy crackers.
- Add them to a sandwich or wrap for extra flavor.
- Toss them into a pasta salad or grain bowl.
- Use them as a pizza topping for a salty, tangy twist.
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Storage and shelf life
Marinated feta cheese cubes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two to three weeks. The container should be clean and dry before transferring the cheese to avoid any contamination. The cheese should be fully submerged in olive oil or brine to prevent exposure to air, which can expedite spoilage.
Feta cheese is highly perishable and prone to drying out and losing flavour once removed from its original packaging. Thus, marinating the cheese in olive oil or brine is an effective way to extend its shelf life. The fat in the olive oil creates a barrier around the cheese, protecting it from outside contaminants such as bacteria, yeast, and other microbes.
When marinating feta cheese cubes in olive oil, it is recommended to add herbs and spices to enhance the flavour. However, it is important to periodically check the cheese for signs of spoilage, as even with proper storage, it can still go bad.
Another option for storing feta cheese cubes is to wrap them in a dampened paper towel and place them in a container in the refrigerator. This method will keep the cheese fresh for three to four days. For longer storage, creating a brine solution by boiling water and milk with kosher salt can extend the shelf life of feta cheese cubes by a few weeks.
Freezing is also an option for storing feta cheese cubes, although this method is more suitable for crumbled feta as it is easier to thaw. Frozen feta may not have the same texture and flavour as fresh cheese, so it is recommended to use it in cooked dishes rather than as an appetizer or snack.
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Alternative ingredients
Marinated feta cheese cubes are a delicious snack or appetizer and can be used to amplify a variety of dishes. The basic ingredients are feta cheese, extra virgin olive oil, and flavourings such as herbs, spices, and citrus.
While Greek feta is the most commonly used variety, you can also use French or Bulgarian white cheese. French white cheese is milder, while Bulgarian tends to be saltier and creamier. If you are using pre-crumbled feta, however, this will not work in the same way as a block of feta, as it is drier and won't absorb the marinade as well.
For the marinade, you can use a variety of herbs, such as fresh rosemary, thyme, oregano, or parsley. You can also add spices such as red pepper flakes, chilli flakes, or cayenne chillies. Lemon zest, lemon juice, or red wine vinegar can be added for a tangy flavour. Honey can be used to balance out the other flavours and add a touch of sweetness.
For serving, you can use toasted bread, pita chips, or crackers.
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Frequently asked questions
It is best to use a block of full-fat Greek feta cheese stored in brine. Dry varieties won't absorb the marinade as well or have as much flavour.
You can use extra virgin olive oil, lemon zest, herbs, garlic, honey, chilli flakes, and oregano.
Marinate the feta cheese cubes for 30-60 minutes. If you can, leave it in the refrigerator overnight to allow the flavours to develop.
You can serve them as an appetiser with crackers or pita chips, or add them to salads, chicken, fish, or soups.
