Bushra Griffith
Feta is a soft, crumbly, creamy cheese with a salty and tangy flavour. It is traditionally made from sheep's milk in Greece, but can also be cut with goat's milk or, in the United States, made with cow's milk. Feta is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to baked goods and appetisers. It is particularly popular in Greek cuisine, where it is often served with bread, olives, and tomatoes, or used in savoury pies and pastries. When it comes to garnishing feta cheese, fresh herbs such as mint, oregano, and thyme are popular choices, along with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
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What You'll Learn
Feta with Mediterranean flavours
Feta is a Greek delicacy, traditionally made from sheep's milk and brined in a salty liquid to give it its distinct tangy and rich flavour. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used in appetizers, side dishes, salads, main dishes, and pastries.
Feta pairs beautifully with Mediterranean flavours, especially the classic combination of tomatoes, olives, and oregano. Here are some ideas for dishes with feta and Mediterranean flavours:
Baked Feta with Mediterranean Vegetables
This simple dish is a great appetizer or mezze. Bake a block of quality feta cheese with bell peppers, red onions, cherry tomatoes, oregano, thyme, and a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Serve with crusty bread or homemade pita chips.
Mediterranean Feta Toast
Mash feta on toast and top with Mediterranean-inspired ingredients such as roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, artichokes, or fresh herbs.
Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Create a flavourful Mediterranean pasta salad with feta, crushed Italian tomatoes, Calamata and Castelvetrano olives, smoky roasted tomatoes, and herbs. This dish is packable and perfect for make-ahead lunches, potlucks, or picnics.
Greek-Style Barley Salad
Combine barley, fresh crispy vegetables, and feta for a Greek-style barley salad. Top with falafel or grilled chicken, and add fresh greens to make it more salad-like.
Mediterranean Eggplant
Stuff an eggplant with fresh tomato, onion, and feta for a delicious Mediterranean dish. This can be a great vegetarian main course.
Greek Green Beans
Add feta to Greek-style green beans for a traditional Mediterranean side dish.
Feta and Olive Nachos
Sprinkle feta on nacho chips along with sliced black olives. Heat until the cheese softens for a tasty Mediterranean-inspired snack.
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Feta with bread
Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from appetizers to salads, sandwiches, and even desserts. When it comes to pairing feta with bread, there are several delicious options to consider:
Baked Feta with Bread
Baking feta cheese is a simple and satisfying way to enjoy it with bread. You can bake the feta in a high-heated oven until it becomes warm, creamy, and spreadable. Drizzle it with olive oil and serve it with crusty bread or homemade pita chips for dipping. You can also add toppings such as bell peppers, tomatoes, herbs, or a drizzle of warmed honey.
Feta on Toasted Bread
Another option is to spread soft feta on toasted bread. You can top the feta with vegetables, such as sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, or grilled zucchini. For an extra flavour boost, try brushing the bread with olive oil and crushed garlic before toasting.
Feta and Spinach Sandwich
Feta cheese is an excellent filling for sandwiches, especially when paired with spinach. Simply grill the feta and spinach between two slices of bread for a tasty and healthy sandwich. For an unexpected twist, try adding strawberries to the feta and grilling it.
Feta Bread
For a more indulgent option, you can make feta bread by stuffing feta cheese into a no-knead bread dough. This results in a savoury bread with a golden brown crust and a fluffy texture. The feta adds a tangy and salty flavour to the bread, making it a delicious accompaniment to dinner recipes.
Khachapuri
Khachapuri is a traditional Georgian bread that is perfect for feta enthusiasts. The bread is topped with an egg yolk and mixed into a melty centre, creating a self-contained appetizer. While traditional recipes may vary, you can use pre-made pizza dough to make it easier to prepare.
With its tangy and salty flavour, feta cheese complements a variety of breads and can be used in creative ways to elevate your dining experience.
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Feta with meat
Feta is a soft, crumbly cheese from Greece that's traditionally made from sheep's milk. It's often cut with goat's milk and, in the United States, is sometimes made with cow's milk. Feta is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads, baked goods, and appetizers. Here are some ideas for using feta with meat:
Mediterranean Beef with Mixed Olives and Feta
This slow-cooked dish is packed with flavor. Beef stew meat is cooked to fork-tender perfection along with canned tomatoes and olives. Rice and feta cheese round out the meal. This dish can be made in a slow cooker or a pressure cooker, making it a convenient option for busy cooks.
Turkey Feta Meatballs
These meatballs are easy to make and can be served in a variety of ways. Try them on a lemon-yogurt spread, as meatball subs, or with spaghetti for a classic comfort food dish. The addition of feta adds a tangy and salty flavor to the meatballs.
Pomegranate Skirt Steak with Whipped Feta
This dish is a unique and festive option for a special occasion, such as Valentine's Day. It combines seared skirt steak with creamy whipped feta, topped with a sweet and savory pomegranate sauce. The steak is served over the whipped feta, creating a rich and indulgent flavor profile. The dish is garnished with pomegranate seeds, pistachios, scallions, and chives, adding a pop of color and texture.
Grilled Meat with Feta
Feta is a great addition to grilled dishes. Try marinating summer squash and then grilling it with feta for a creamy, bright flavor. You can also serve grilled meatballs with feta on the side, or create a simple grilled cheese sandwich with feta and spinach. The possibilities are endless!
Feta is a versatile cheese that can enhance the flavor of many meat dishes. Whether you're looking for a slow-cooked stew, a quick and easy meal, or a special occasion dish, feta can be a delicious addition.
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Feta with fruit
Feta is a soft, crumbly cheese from Greece that is traditionally made from sheep's milk. It has a tangy, salty flavour and can be bought marinated or plain, shredded, crumbled, or in blocks.
Feta is a very versatile cheese that can be used in many dishes, including salads, baked dishes, and appetisers. It is particularly wonderful in dishes with Mediterranean flavours.
Berries and Feta Salad
Arrange a bed of mixed greens and baby spinach on a platter or in a bowl. Top with berries, crumbled feta, and pecans or walnuts. You can also add strawberries, blueberries, or other berries of your choice. To make a vinaigrette, combine red wine vinegar, honey, paprika, garlic powder, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a jar or measuring cup and shake or whisk until combined. Serve the salad with the vinaigrette on the side or drizzled on top.
Fruit and Walnut Salad with Feta
Arrange lettuce in a salad bowl and layer on the fruit and vegetables. Top with walnuts and feta cheese, and serve with oil and balsamic vinegar to drizzle over the top. Cranberries pair particularly well with the sweet fruit and salty feta in this salad.
Feta with Grilled Fruit
Feta can also be paired with grilled fruit, such as grilled strawberries. Try making a grilled cheese sandwich with feta, strawberries, and spinach.
Watermelon Feta Salad
A refreshing summer salad combining the salty feta with sweet watermelon.
Greek Feta with Fruit
In the Greek diet, feta is often served with lathera, or vegetables cooked in olive oil and tomato sauce. Try making a Mediterranean eggplant stuffed with fresh tomato and onion, or simply serve feta with olives and tomato.
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Feta with vegetables
Feta is a Greek delicacy, traditionally made from sheep's milk and brined in a salty liquid to give it its distinct tangy and rich flavour. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to baked goods and appetizers. Here are some ideas for combining feta with vegetables:
Salads
Feta is a popular ingredient in salads, adding a salty, creamy texture. Try a quinoa and roasted veggie salad with feta, or a barley and fresh veggie salad with Greek-style barley and feta. For a simple option, serve feta with fresh tomatoes, drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with oregano and thyme. You can also add feta to a chickpea salad for a hearty lunch option. For a unique combination, pair feta with beets and a tangy vinaigrette for a beet salad.
Baked Goods
Feta can be baked and served with seasonal veggies, or used as a filling for pies and pastries. Try a Greek spinach pie (spanakopita) or a wild greens pie (hortopita) with feta. For a simple baked option, wrap feta in phyllo dough and bake until warm and creamy.
Appetizers
Feta makes a great appetizer, especially when combined with vegetables. Try a Mediterranean feta toast with your favourite veggies, or a grilled feta and spinach sandwich. For a warm dip, bake feta with bell peppers, tomatoes, herbs, and olive oil, and serve with pita chips.
Main Dishes
Feta can be added to main dishes, such as pasta or scrambled eggs. For a vegetarian option, stuff eggplant with feta and herbs, or make grilled eggplant rolls with a tomato sauce and feta filling. Feta also pairs well with lamb, so consider adding it to lamb burgers with fresh greens.
With its salty, tangy flavour and creamy texture, feta is a versatile ingredient that enhances the flavour of many vegetable dishes.
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Frequently asked questions
Feta is a crumbly, creamy, salty, and tangy Greek cheese that is traditionally made from sheep's milk. In Greece, feta is often served with lathera (vegetables cooked in olive oil and tomato sauce). It is also commonly used in savoury pies, such as spanakopita (spinach pie), tyropita (cheese pie), and hortopita (wild greens pie). Feta is also delicious when baked with vegetables, herbs, and olive oil.
While feta is commonly used in Greek cuisine, it is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes. Some non-traditional garnishes for feta cheese include:
- Fresh herbs, tangy citrus, and spicy Calabrian peppers
- Olives and artichokes
- Strawberries
- Pine nuts
- Spices like cumin and coriander
Feta cheese is a great garnish or ingredient for many dishes, including:
- Salads, such as a Greek salad, barley salad, or quinoa and roasted veggie salad
- Appetizers, such as stuffed mushrooms or zucchini, or served with pita chips or bread
- Pastries and pies, such as phyllo dough filled with spinach and feta or a tomato tart
- Pasta, such as baked feta pasta or Mediterranean pasta salad
- Eggs, such as baked eggs with spinach and feta or Greek-style scrambled eggs
- Meat dishes, such as lamb burgers or turkey and hummus sandwiches
