Feta's Perfect Partners: Exploring Complimentary Cheeses

Feta is a popular ingredient in Mediterranean dishes, known for its salty and tangy flavour. While it is often paired with spinach, olives, tomatoes, or cucumbers, feta is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas for other cheeses that go well with feta:

- Goat cheese: Try spreading goat cheese on toast, adding salami, sliced tomatoes, and a fried egg.

- Mozzarella: Feta is a great alternative to mozzarella for grilled cheese sandwiches. For a unique twist, combine feta with strawberries and grill.

- Queso fresco: Feta can be used as a substitute for this mild white cheese in Mexican or Spanish recipes. Sprinkle it on tacos, scrambled eggs, or Mexican-inspired salads.

- Parmesan: Feta can be used in quiches, combined with other cheeses, vegetables, or meat.

Characteristics of cheeses that go well with feta

Feta with eggs

Feta is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, including those with eggs. Here are some ideas for combining feta with eggs:

A classic combination of feta and eggs is a Greek-style omelette or scrambled eggs. You can add some vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, or tomatoes to create a more substantial dish. For a simple yet delicious option, sprinkle feta on top of your scrambled eggs, along with salsa, cilantro, and perhaps some black beans.

If you're feeling adventurous, try a shakshuka, a North African dish of eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, chili peppers, and onions, with feta sprinkled on top. Or, for a heartier meal, bake eggs with spinach and feta, or make a frittata with vegetables and feta.

For a quick breakfast or brunch option, fry an egg and serve it on toast with feta and some other toppings such as avocado or salami. You can also use feta in an egg sandwich, perhaps with some vegetables or herbs, for a tasty and portable meal.

Feta can also be a great addition to devilled eggs. Make your devilled eggs as usual, then top them with crumbled feta for a salty, tangy twist.

Lastly, feta can be a great substitute for other cheeses in egg-based dishes. For example, you can use feta instead of cheddar or jack cheese in breakfast burritos, or as a substitute for queso fresco in Mexican recipes such as tacos, scrambled eggs, or salads.

Feta on pizza

Feta is a popular pizza topping, often paired with Mediterranean vegetables such as olives, artichokes, and tomatoes. Its salty, tangy flavour can add a punch to your pizza.

Feta is a Greek cheese, traditionally served with spinach, olives, tomatoes, or cucumbers. It is a versatile cheese, however, and can be used in non-traditional ways. For example, feta can be used as a substitute for other cheeses in grilled cheese sandwiches, or sprinkled on nachos. It can also be used as a table cheese, served simply with bread.

When used on a pizza, feta can be paired with a variety of toppings. Some popular combinations include pepperoni, pineapple, and jalapeno; or chicken, bacon, onion, and barbecue sauce. Feta can also be used as a substitute for other cheeses, such as mozzarella, to add a unique flavour to your pizza.

In addition to its flavour, feta has a crumbly texture that makes it perfect for sprinkling. This can add a nice contrast to the softness of the pizza dough and other toppings.

Feta with fruit

Feta is a versatile cheese that can be paired with various fruits to create delicious and refreshing dishes. Here are some ideas for combining feta with fruit:

Salads

Feta pairs exceptionally well with fruits in salads. Try a watermelon, cucumber, and feta salad with a touch of mint for a refreshing summer dish. Alternatively, combine peppery arugula with sweet peaches and feta for a flavourful contrast. For a more indulgent option, add fried peanuts to a watermelon and feta salad. Strawberries, raspberries, and grapes are also excellent choices for a fruity feta salad.

Savoury Dishes

While feta is commonly used in savoury dishes, adding fruit to the mix can create unique and tasty combinations. For a fun twist on traditional stuffed peppers, try stuffing pattypan squash with beef, rice, spinach, and feta. Or, for a Mediterranean-inspired dish, pair feta with cooked vegetables like eggplant, green beans, or peas. Feta also works well as a topping for pizzas, nachos, or grilled sandwiches, especially when paired with fruits like strawberries or tomatoes.

Sweet Treats

For a sweet and savoury combination, drizzle feta with honey and serve it with homemade pita and mint. This unusual pairing is sure to surprise and delight your taste buds.

Feta with vegetables

Feta is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads, baked dishes, and appetisers. While it is commonly associated with Greek cuisine and ingredients such as spinach, olives, tomatoes, and cucumbers, feta can also be paired with various vegetables to create delicious and nutritious meals. Here are some ideas for combining feta with vegetables:

Salads

Feta is a popular addition to salads, where it provides a salty, tangy contrast to the freshness of the vegetables. Try combining feta with watermelon, cucumber, and mint for a refreshing summer salad. Or, for a more savoury option, pair feta with crunchy cucumbers, collard greens, or hearty greens such as arugula. Feta also goes well with fruits such as peaches, strawberries, and grapes in a salad. For a more traditional Greek salad, combine feta with tomatoes, cucumbers, and olives.

Cooked Vegetables

Feta is commonly used in Mediterranean dishes, and it pairs well with vegetables cooked in olive oil and tomato sauce, known as "lathera" in Greek cuisine. You can also combine feta with any type of vegetable cooked in olive oil and tomato, such as Mediterranean eggplant stuffed with fresh tomato and onion, or Greek-style green beans. Feta adds a creamy, salty element to cooked vegetables, enhancing their flavour.

Stuffed Vegetables

Feta is an excellent filling ingredient for stuffed vegetables. Try stuffing peppers, pattypan squash, zucchini, or mushrooms with feta and other ingredients such as herbs, rice, beef, or spinach. Baking the stuffed vegetables allows the feta to melt and creates a delicious, savoury dish.

Omelettes and Scrambled Eggs

Feta is a popular choice for omelettes and scrambled eggs, where it adds a creamy texture and tangy flavour. Combine feta with vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, or green onions in your omelette, or simply sprinkle it on top of eggs on toast. Feta also works well with chicken and tomatoes in an omelette for a heartier option.

Savoury Pies

In Greek cuisine, feta is added to savoury pies, such as spanakopita (spinach pie), tyropita (cheese pie), hortopita (wild greens pie), and prassopita (leek pie). Feta provides a creamy texture and salty flavour to these pies, making them a delicious and comforting option.

Feta with meat

Feta is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, including those with meat. Here are some ideas for combining feta with meat:

Greek Meatballs with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce and Rice

Feta is the star of this dish, folded directly into the meatball mixture to create pockets of salty cheese throughout. The cucumber yogurt sauce and rice provide a refreshing and hearty base to balance the rich flavour of the meatballs.

Stuffed Peppers or Pattypan Squash

For a twist on the classic stuffed pepper, try using pattypan squash instead. Fill the squash with beef, rice, spinach, and crumbled feta cheese for a fresh take on a comforting supper. Alternatively, you can stuff bell peppers with layers of feta, ham, chopped mushrooms, and tomatoes for a colourful and tasty meal.

Grilled Chicken Greek Pita Pockets

Grilled chicken, artichoke hearts, baby spinach, cucumber, kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, and feta cheese come together in a pita pocket to create a flavourful and satisfying meal. The feta adds a tangy and salty punch to the other ingredients.

Sheet Pan Greek Chicken

This easy weeknight meal is a Greek-inspired dish that includes feta as one of the key ingredients. The salty and tangy feta pairs perfectly with the other Mediterranean flavours in the dish.

Baked Eggs with Spinach and Feta

This dish combines the creamy texture of baked eggs with the salty feta and nutritious spinach. It's a delicious and healthy option for breakfast or brunch.

Feta cheese adds a unique flavour to meat dishes, enhancing the overall taste experience. Its salty and tangy characteristics make it a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of savoury applications.

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