Frederic Melton
Feta is a soft, crumbly Greek cheese with a salty, tangy taste. It's incredibly versatile and can be used in a wide variety of dishes, from salads to flatbreads to pasta. Feta is a great way to add salinity and texture to a dish, and it can be baked, fried, or crumbled. Blocks of feta are a great staple to have in the fridge, as they can be used in so many ways and last longer than pre-crumbled varieties. So, what can you do with a block of feta cheese?
What to do with a block of feta cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Salads | Crumble feta over a Greek salad, a corn salad, a tomato salad, a watermelon and cucumber salad, a winter salad with roasted pumpkin, or a spinach pie |
| Appetizers | Bake feta with bell peppers, red onions, and cherry tomatoes, or with oregano and thyme. Serve with pita chips or Italian bread. Alternatively, layer feta with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbs, then fill with olive oil and let sit for 10 days before consuming |
| Flatbreads | Stuff flatbreads with feta, onion, and herbs, or top with feta and pre-roasted veggies |
| Pasta | Bake feta pasta, or make a pasta salad |
| Dips | Serve whipped feta with warm pita or as part of a mezze spread. Alternatively, make a Greek feta dip |
| Meat | Add feta to turkey meatballs, or crumble over harissa-roasted chicken thighs |
| Preservation | Feta can be preserved in olive oil and stored in the refrigerator for up to three weeks, or frozen for several months |
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Bake it
Baked feta is a traditional Greek appetiser that can be prepared in just a few minutes using a handful of ingredients. It is a simple dish that can be served as a snack or appetiser and is a great way to use up a block of feta cheese.
To make baked feta, you will need the following ingredients: feta cheese, olive oil, dried herbs, garlic, honey, and vegetables of your choice. Popular vegetable choices include cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, red onions, olives, and lemon. You will also need an oven-safe dish for baking.
- Preheat your oven to a temperature between 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit (about 180-200 degrees Celsius).
- Place the block of feta in the centre of an oven-safe baking dish.
- Arrange your chosen vegetables around the feta. You can also cut the vegetables into smaller pieces and mix them with the cheese.
- Drizzle olive oil over the feta and vegetables.
- Sprinkle dried herbs, garlic, red pepper flakes, and any other desired seasonings over the feta and vegetables.
- Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the feta is softened and slightly golden. If you desire a more golden brown top, you can place it under the broiler for an additional 3-5 minutes.
- Serve the baked feta with pita chips, crostini, Italian bread, or fresh vegetables. Enjoy!
You can also get creative and experiment with different ingredients and flavours. For example, you can add a touch of honey to your baked feta for a hint of sweetness. Alternatively, wrap the feta in phyllo dough before baking for a flaky texture. Baked feta is a versatile dish that can be customised to your taste preferences.
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Fry it
Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, and frying is one of the best ways to prepare it. Here are some tips and ideas for frying feta cheese to perfection:
Preparing the Feta Cheese:
Start by patting the feta cheese block dry with paper towels, especially if it has been packed in water. A dry surface will ensure that the coating adheres better and the cheese browns nicely during frying. Cut the feta cheese into 1/2-inch thick slices. A thicker slice will help the cheese retain its shape and not crumble during the frying process.
Creating the Coating:
For a crispy and nutty crust, prepare a dredging station with three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, whisk a couple of eggs with a tablespoon or two of water. The water will help thin out the egg mixture, making it easier to coat the cheese. In the second bowl, add some all-purpose flour, and in the third bowl, pour in a generous amount of toasted sesame seeds. You can also use breadcrumbs, such as Panko, for an extra crispy texture.
Coating the Feta Cheese:
Take each slice of feta cheese and first coat it with the flour, making sure all sides are evenly covered. Then, dip the floured slice into the egg mixture, shaking off any excess. Finally, roll the cheese in the sesame seeds or breadcrumbs, ensuring a thorough coating. This breading technique will create a delicious crispy crust when fried.
Frying the Feta Cheese:
Heat a cast-iron skillet on medium-high heat and add extra virgin olive oil. You want the oil to be shimmering but not smoking. Carefully place the coated feta slices into the hot oil, making sure each slice touches the bottom of the skillet. Fry the cheese in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry each side until it turns a golden brown color. The sesame seeds or breadcrumbs will form a crispy crust when fried. Use a thin spatula, such as a fish spatula, to carefully flip the cheese slices without disturbing the coating. Transfer the fried feta to a platter lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
Serving Suggestions:
Frying feta cheese transforms it into a warm, melt-in-your-mouth appetizer. For a touch of sweetness to balance the salty cheese, drizzle warmed honey over the fried feta. You can also add some pepper to the honey for a hint of spice. Serve the fried feta with fresh cherry tomatoes and baked pita chips on the side. It is best enjoyed warm, but it can also be served at room temperature.
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Crumble it
Feta is a crumbly, creamy Greek delicacy that can be used to add a salty, tangy punch to a variety of dishes. Crumbled feta can be used to top a wide range of everyday dishes, including pizzas, salads, and pastas.
Salads
Feta is a great addition to a variety of salads. It can be crumbled over a simple tomato salad, a corn salad, or a Greek salad. For a more substantial salad, feta can be combined with watermelon, cucumbers, mint, and red onion, and tossed with a vinaigrette made from olive oil and red wine vinegar. Crumbled feta can also be used to make crispy, cheesy croutons to adorn a spring salad.
Appetizers and Snacks
Crumbling feta over a mix of marinated olives creates a simple appetizer or snack. Feta can also be blitzed in a food processor and mixed with fresh herbs to make a whipped feta dip to be served with pita or as part of a mezze spread. Crumbled feta can also be combined with ricotta cheese, fresh rosemary, and minced garlic, and spread over a sheet of puff pastry to make a quick and easy snack.
Soups and Sides
Feta can be crumbled over soups to add a salty, tangy flavor. It can also be used to make a feta dip to be served with pita chips or toasted Italian bread as a side.
Flatbreads and Pizzas
Feta can be crumbled over flatbreads and pizzas to add a salty, tangy flavor. It can also be stuffed inside a flatbread along with onions and herbs.
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Preserve it in olive oil
Feta cheese is a delicacy, but it can be expensive and tends to go bad quickly. One way to preserve it and enhance its flavour is to store it in olive oil. This method is commonly used in Mediterranean countries to preserve cheese, and it works like magic! The olive oil not only preserves the feta but also imparts additional flavours to it, creating a symphony of flavours. Here is a guide on how to preserve feta cheese in olive oil:
First, cut the feta cheese into cubes. It is important to use a high-quality product to make the best-marinated feta cheese. Extra Virgin Olive Oil is recommended as it is the healthiest and highest-quality option, ensuring the cheese lasts longer and doesn't become too bitter. Make sure to use a clean, dry glass jar with an airtight lid. The container you choose for preserving plays a crucial role; a tight-lid jar keeps air out, reducing oxidation and maintaining optimal moisture.
Next, place the feta cubes into the jar and cover them entirely with olive oil. Ensure that every piece of cheese is completely submerged. You can also add herbs and spices to the mix for extra flavour. Consider using thyme, oregano, marjoram, sesame seeds, or salt, or slices of jalapeno for a kick of flavour. Seal the jar tightly and store it in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry. The feta cheese will last indefinitely in these conditions. If you prefer to eat the cheese cold, store it in the fridge, where it will last for about two to three weeks.
When you're ready to serve the marinated feta, let it sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours to liquify the oil. You can serve it with olives and toasted bread or add it to salads, pasta, or roasted vegetables. Don't discard the leftover oil! Use it in salad dressings, over pasta, or as a dipping oil. You can also reuse the oil by cutting another block of feta and adding it to the jar.
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Make flatbreads with it
Feta flatbreads are a great way to use up a block of feta cheese. This recipe is simple and perfect for a soup day, savoury breakfast, or snack. The flatbreads can be made ahead of time and frozen, then fried when you're ready to eat.
To make the flatbread dough, you'll need self-raising flour and Greek yoghurt. If you're making a vegan version, you can use coconut yoghurt instead. Mix the flour and yoghurt until combined, then set aside.
For the filling, you'll need feta cheese, cream cheese, spinach, garlic, and black pepper. If you want to add more ingredients to the filling, you can include fresh mint leaves, crushed peas, or chopped jalapenos. Mix all the filling ingredients together in a bowl, then set aside.
To assemble the flatbreads, roll out the dough into a thin layer and cut it into circles. Spread the filling onto one half of each circle, then fold the other half over to create a semi-circle. Press down around the edges to seal the flatbreads.
Fry the flatbreads on a pan or grill until they are golden brown and cooked through. Serve warm as an appetizer, or enjoy as a meal.
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Frequently asked questions
Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many dishes. Here are some recipes that use a block of feta cheese:
- Greek salad
- Baked feta pasta
- Flatbreads
- Feta dip
- Feta and spinach pie
- Feta and ricotta puff pastry
Feta cheese is usually sold in blocks packed in brine, which helps to preserve it. You can also preserve feta cheese by layering it with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbs in a jar and covering it with olive oil. This method of preservation will last for about three weeks in the refrigerator or several months in the freezer.
Yes, you can heat feta cheese. It can be fried, baked, or melted into sauces.
