Delicious Feta Cheese And Bread Pairings: Exploring Perfect Combos

Feta cheese is a Greek staple, and its salty, tangy taste is a versatile addition to many dishes. It can be grilled, baked, whipped, or crumbled to add a unique flavour to a variety of foods. Feta and bread is a classic combination, and feta flatbreads or feta-stuffed bread are popular options. Feta also pairs well with vegetables, fruits, legumes, and proteins, making it a versatile ingredient for salads, sandwiches, pies, and more.

Feta flatbreads

Ingredients

To make feta flatbreads, you will need the following ingredients:

• Flour
• Milk
• Eggs
• Olive oil or butter
• Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Feta cheese, crumbled
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Sesame seeds

Optional Ingredients

You can also experiment with adding other ingredients to your feta flatbreads, such as:

• Provolone or gouda cheese
• Herbs like rosemary or thyme
• Spices like garlic powder or chilli
• Olives
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or peppers

Method

• Preheat your oven to 375°F.
• Lightly oil a 7x10" baking dish with olive oil or butter.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Add in the milk, eggs, and olive oil or butter, and mix until combined.
• Fold in the shredded mozzarella and crumbled feta cheese until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
• Transfer the batter to your prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
• Sprinkle the top with sesame seeds.
• Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden.
• Allow the flatbread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Serving Suggestions

• Slice into small squares and serve as an appetizer or snack.
• Serve with soup for a hearty and savoury meal.
• Enjoy as a savoury breakfast with eggs or omelette.
• Pair with a glass of Chianti for a Mediterranean-inspired meal.

Feta and spinach

In Greece, feta is added to almost every savoury pie, including the famous spanakopita (spinach pie). You can make your own by preparing a dough, creating a spinach and feta filling, and then baking the pie until golden brown. For an extra crunchy texture, you can try adding pine nuts to the filling.

Feta is a great alternative to other cheeses in grilled sandwiches. Try combining feta and spinach in a grilled cheese sandwich, or adding some strawberries for a unique twist.

For an indulgent treat, you can make a French bread loaf stuffed with feta, spinach, and other savoury ingredients like cream cheese, mozzarella, and salami. Simply scoop out the interior of the bread, fill it with your desired ingredients, and bake until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden.

Add some Mediterranean flair to your breakfast with an omelette containing feta, spinach, mushrooms, and sundried tomatoes.

For a quick and easy snack, mash some feta on a slice of toast and top it with spinach and your favourite vegetables.

In addition to these ideas, you can also incorporate feta and spinach into pasta dishes, salads, or even bake them into a savoury loaf of bread. The versatility of feta means that it can be crumbled, cubed, grilled, baked, or marinated to suit a variety of dishes.

Feta and fruit

Watermelon and Feta Salad

A refreshing summer dish, this salad combines juicy watermelon slices with crumbled feta. You can also add other ingredients like mint leaves and balsamic vinegar to create a flavourful and colourful salad.

Stone Fruit Salad

Create a stone fruit salad by combining sliced apricots, nectarines, and peaches with feta. The natural sweetness of these fruits pairs beautifully with the salty feta, creating a delightful summer dish.

Fruit and Feta Skewers

For a fun and easy appetizer or snack, thread cubes of feta onto skewers alternating with pieces of melon, peaches, or apricots. You can also add other ingredients like fresh mint or basil leaves for added flavour.

Baked Feta with Fruit Compote

Bake a block of feta in the oven until slightly melted and top it with a fruit compote made from cooked-down apricots, nectarines, or peaches. The warm, gooey feta will blend beautifully with the sweet and tangy compote.

Spread some feta on a slice of toast and top it with sliced fruit like strawberries, apricots, or peaches. You can also add a drizzle of honey for an extra touch of sweetness.

These are just a few ideas to get you started, but feel free to experiment with different types of fruits and combinations to find your favourite feta and fruit pairings.

Feta and herbs

Feta, Herb, and Bread Combinations

The sharp, salty flavour of feta pairs beautifully with herbs, and this combination can be used to enhance a variety of bread-based dishes. For a quick and easy option, try sprinkling crumbled feta and some chopped herbs (such as rosemary, basil, thyme, or dill) on top of a freshly baked slice of bread. You could also drizzle the feta and herbs with a little olive oil for added flavour and texture.

For a more substantial meal, you could make a feta and herb stuffed bread. Simply combine crumbled feta with your choice of herbs and stuff the mixture into a bread dough before baking. This creates a savoury bread that pairs well with most dinner recipes and is a great way to impress your guests.

Feta, Herb, and Vegetable Combinations

Another idea is to stuff vegetables with a feta and herb mixture. For example, you could hollow out some zucchini or bell peppers and fill them with a mixture of feta, herbs, and breadcrumbs. Bake in the oven until the vegetables are tender and the feta is melted for a delicious and healthy meal.

Feta, Herb, and Protein Combinations

If you're looking for a more substantial meal, you can combine feta and herbs with a variety of proteins. For a vegetarian option, stuff portobello mushrooms with a mixture of feta, herbs, and breadcrumbs and bake until tender. Alternatively, you could make a feta and herb crust for chicken or fish by combining feta, herbs, and breadcrumbs and baking or frying until golden.

Feta, Herb, and Salad Combinations

Of course, one of the most classic ways to enjoy feta and herbs is in a salad. Combine mixed greens with chopped herbs, crumbled feta, and a simple vinaigrette for a refreshing and flavourful side dish. You can also add other ingredients such as nuts, fruits, or vegetables to create a more substantial salad.

Feta and vegetables

A great way to incorporate feta into a vegetable dish is to crumble it. Feta crumbles can be sprinkled on top of cooked vegetables, such as asparagus, red pepper, or zucchini. You can also add crumbled feta to roasted vegetables, like beetroot, lentils, rocket, and walnuts, to make a delicious and nutritious salad.

If you're looking for a more indulgent option, try baking feta in the oven until it's gooey and soft. This can be served as a dip with raw vegetables, such as carrots, cucumber, or radishes. You can also whip feta in a food processor with lemon, olive oil, and cream cheese to make a creamy dip that pairs well with veggies.

For a heartier option, you can stuff vegetables with feta. Feta-stuffed mushrooms and zucchini are delicious options. You can also add feta to bean dishes, such as lentils and broad beans.

Feta also works well in vegetable bakes. Try a Greek-inspired traybake with feta, olives, pitta bread, and tomatoes, or a beetroot and feta pasta bake for a colourful and tasty dish.

So, whether you're looking for a simple side dish or a more substantial main course, combining feta and vegetables is a great way to create delicious and nutritious meals.

Frequently asked questions