Feta Cheese's Saucy Partners: Finding The Perfect Match

Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to grilled meats. Its unique salty and tangy flavour enhances the taste of any dish it is added to. There are many ways to cook with feta, including crumbling it, grilling it, baking it, marinating it, or whipping it. It is commonly paired with vegetables, fruits, proteins, and carbohydrates. Sauces that go well with feta cheese include those made with olive oil, lemon, garlic, herbs, and spices.

Feta sauce with grilled chicken

Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that pairs well with grilled chicken. Here are some tips and recipes to create delicious feta sauce to accompany your grilled chicken:

Tips for Making Feta Sauce:

• Feta cheese has a bold, tangy flavour and a soft, creamy texture that crumbles and melts easily, making it perfect for sauces.
• When using a block of feta cheese, grate it as finely as possible. If using pre-crumbled feta, break it into smaller pieces to facilitate melting.
• Stir the cheese into your sauce a few handfuls at a time to ensure a smooth and even incorporation.
• Feta cheese will not fully melt like softer cheeses, so expect some visible bits in your sauce, which won't impact the flavour.

Feta Sauce Recipes:

Basic Feta Sauce:

This sauce pairs well with grilled chicken, as well as kebabs and grilled meats.

Ingredients:

• 3 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
• 4 ounces Greek yogurt
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Directions:

Place all the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until smooth. Refrigerate the sauce until you are ready to serve it.

Creamy Feta Sauce:

This sauce is perfect for drizzling over grilled chicken, and can also be used as a dip or salad dressing.

Ingredients:

• Feta cheese
• Cilantro
• Avocado
• Shallots
• Garlic
• Greek yogurt
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Lime juice
• Cumin

Directions:

Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. This sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Feta Cheese Sauce for Chicken:

This sauce is a delicious accompaniment to grilled or stovetop-cooked chicken.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 1 12-ounce can evaporated milk
• 2-3 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
• 1 cup feta cheese

Directions:

• Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly coat the chicken breasts with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Add the chicken to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side or until cooked through. Remove from heat and keep warm.
• In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk constantly for one minute.
• Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly. Stir in the chives and reduce the heat to medium-low.
• Simmer for 5-7 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally.
• Add the feta cheese by the handful and stir until melted.
• Spoon the sauce over the chicken and garnish with additional chives if desired.

Mediterranean Pasta with Feta Cheese Sauce:

This sauce includes feta cheese and pairs well with chicken and pasta.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz wheat macaroni pasta
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ½ teaspoon chopped basil
• ½ teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• ½ cup chopped canned artichoke hearts, packed in brine
• 2 oz sun-dried tomatoes, dry packaged and julienne cut
• 12 Calamata olives, pitted and sliced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
• 2 tablespoons light butter
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 4 oz crumbled feta cheese
• 2 tablespoons garlic hummus

Directions:

• Boil water and cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside in a large bowl.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, basil, oregano, and rosemary, stirring until fragrant (about one minute).
• Add the chicken to the pan and stir to coat with oil and herbs. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until cooked through.
• Add the chicken and any remaining oil to the bowl with the pasta and toss together.
• Add the artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and basil to the pasta and toss again.
• Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Add flour and stir for about one minute.
• Slowly add milk, whisking until flour clumps are mixed in. Raise the heat and bring to a simmer, stirring until thickened.
• Add feta cheese and hummus to the saucepan and whisk until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
• Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta mixture and stir to combine.

Feta and hummus pasta

Ingredients

• 1 box of pasta of your choice
• 1 cup artichoke hearts, chopped
• 1 cup feta cheese
• 2 tbsp garlic hummus
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp basil, finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp rosemary, finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp oregano, dried
• 12 oz chicken breast, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup artichoke hearts, packed in brine without oil, chopped
• 2 oz sun-dried tomatoes, dry packaged and julienne cut
• 12 Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
• 1 tbsp basil, chopped
• 2 tbsp light butter
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Method

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• In a large baking dish, add sliced zucchini, cherry tomatoes, chopped peppers, and minced garlic.
• Add Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Mix together.
• Make room in the middle of the pan and add feta and hummus. Drizzle with olive oil.
• Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until the feta is soft and melted.
• Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
• Remove the vegetables from the oven and mix the feta and hummus with a spoon until smooth.
• Add the pasta and chopped artichokes to the vegetable mixture and season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

Tips

• You can use a store-bought hummus to save time. Garlic hummus works well in this recipe.
• If you want to use real feta, any block of feta will do.
• You can use a vegan feta cheese to make this dish vegan.
• For a little extra zing, squeeze a lemon wedge over the top.

Feta dip with pita chips

Ingredients

• Feta cheese
• Greek yoghurt
• Cream cheese
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Garlic
• Salt and pepper
• Pita bread

Method

First, make the feta dip. In a food processor, combine the feta, Greek yoghurt, cream cheese, lemon juice, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper, and blend until smooth and creamy. Place the dip in a serving bowl and garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and some parsley or olives.

Next, make the pita chips. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut each pita bread into 6-8 strips, then cut the tops and bottoms off each strip so that you can open them up to make two thin pieces per strip. Place the pita strips on a baking sheet, inside-up, and brush with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and any other desired seasonings, such as dried oregano. Bake for 7-8 minutes, or until golden and crispy.

Serve the feta dip with the warm pita chips and enjoy!

Tips and Variations

For a healthier option, serve the feta dip with fresh vegetable sticks, such as carrots, celery, or peppers.

For a more colourful and flavourful garnish, try topping the dip with red pepper flakes, pistachios, or chopped herbs such as parsley or dill.

This feta dip can also be used as a sauce or dressing for proteins like chicken or steak, or even as a spread on sandwiches.

Feta with sweet fruits

Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of sweet and savoury dishes. Its unique salty and tangy flavour makes it a perfect pairing with sweet fruits. Here are some tips and ideas for combining feta with sweet fruits:

Choosing the Right Feta

The best type of feta cheese has a creamy yet easy-to-crumble texture and a salty and tangy flavour that is not too overwhelming. Look for feta that is submerged in brine during the aging process, as this contributes to its salty taste. Traditional Greek feta is made from sheep's milk or a combination of sheep's and goat's milk, but it can also be made from cow's or buffalo's milk.

Preparing the Feta

Feta can be crumbled, cubed, grilled, baked, or marinated to pair with sweet fruits. Crumbling feta is the easiest way to incorporate it into a dish, and it can be sprinkled on top of fruits as a finishing touch. Cubes of feta can be coated in crushed pistachios for a salty and crunchy snack. Grilling or baking feta softens its texture and makes it gooey, and it can be paired with bread, pita, or naan. Marinated feta infuses extra flavour into the cheese, giving it a creamy yet crumbly texture perfect for topping fruits.

Fruit Pairings

Feta pairs well with a variety of sweet fruits, including melons (such as watermelon), stone fruits (such as apricots and nectarines), and peaches. The saltiness of the feta complements the sweetness of the fruit. Feta also goes well with strawberries, raspberries, and tomatoes, which can be added to salads or used as a topping for grilled proteins such as chicken or steak. For a unique combination, try pairing feta with grapefruit, oranges, or avocado.

Recipe Ideas

• Watermelon, Cucumber, and Feta Salad: Combine large cubes of feta, thinly sliced shallots, and torn mint with watermelon and cucumber.
• Grilled Peach-and-Arugula Salad with Feta: Sprinkle peppery arugula and sweet summer peaches with crumbled feta.
• Feta and Strawberry Salad: Combine strawberries and feta with cooked whole grains and grilled chicken for a hearty meal.
• Baked Pesto Turkey Meatballs with Feta Sauce: Serve a creamy feta sauce alongside turkey meatballs for a tangy and savoury combination.

Feta with vegetables

Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can enhance the flavour of a dish with its salty tanginess. It is an excellent pairing with vegetables like asparagus, red pepper, and zucchini. Here are some ways to prepare feta with vegetables:

Grilled Zucchini Salad

This recipe combines the freshness of grilled zucchini with the tangy flavour of feta for a delightful summer dish. Cut zucchini into slices and grill them until they are slightly charred and tender. Place the grilled zucchini on a bed of mixed greens, such as arugula or spinach. Crumble feta cheese over the zucchini and greens. For added flavour, you can also add some chopped tomatoes, red onions, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze or lemon vinaigrette.

Feta and Vegetable Skewers

These skewers are a fun and colourful way to enjoy feta with vegetables. Cut zucchini, red peppers, and red onions into large chunks. Thread the vegetables onto skewers, alternating with cubes of feta cheese. Brush the skewers with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the skewers until the vegetables are tender and the feta is slightly melted. Serve them with a side of rice or quinoa and a drizzle of lemon juice.

Baked Feta with Vegetables

This dish is a warm and comforting option that can be served as an appetiser or a side. Cut up some bell peppers, onions, and cherry tomatoes. Place the vegetables in an oven-safe dish and top them with a block of feta cheese. Drizzle olive oil over the feta and vegetables and season with salt, pepper, and dried oregano. Bake in the oven until the vegetables are tender and the feta is melted and slightly browned. Serve with crusty bread or pita chips for dipping.

Feta and Vegetable Omelette

For a protein-packed breakfast or brunch option, try adding feta to an omelette with vegetables. Chop up some onions, bell peppers, and spinach. Saute the vegetables in a pan until they are tender. In a separate bowl, whisk together some eggs and season with salt and pepper. Pour the egg mixture into the pan and let it cook until the eggs are set. Add crumbled feta cheese to one side of the omelette and fold the other side over. Serve the omelette with some avocado slices and fresh fruit.

Feta Dip with Crudites

This dip is a simple and delicious way to enjoy feta with vegetables. In a food processor, blend feta cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, and Greek yogurt until smooth. Season the dip with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the dip with a variety of fresh vegetables, such as carrots, celery, bell peppers, and cucumber. This makes for a refreshing and healthy snack or appetiser.

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