Randy Chandler
Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is a tangy, salty, and crumbly cheese that originated in Greece and is traditionally made from sheep's milk. Feta can be added to soups, salads, breakfast dishes, seafood, and vegetables. It can be baked, fried, drizzled with honey, wrapped in phyllo dough, or simply enjoyed on its own. Feta is also commonly used in Mediterranean dishes such as Greek salads, baked feta pasta, and spinach pie. It can be paired with ingredients like tomatoes, bell peppers, olives, and pita bread to create flavorful combinations. Whether used as a topping, a filling, or a side, feta cheese adds a distinctive taste and texture to any meal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Tangy, salty, crumbly, light |
| Origin | Greek |
| Goes With | Salads, soups, seafood, vegetables, pasta, pies, traybakes, appetizers, dips, breakfast, lunch, dinner |
| Specific Recipes | Baked feta pasta, baked feta soup, baked feta eggs, baked feta bites, watermelon feta salad, spinach pie, omelette with chicken and spinach, quiche, feta walnut-stuffed mushrooms, spinach puffs, Greek salmon, Greek salad, feta toasties, feta dip, feta and lentil salad, feta and beetroot pasta, feta and lentil dip |
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What You'll Learn
Salads
Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of salad dishes. Its tangy, salty flavour and crumbly texture make it a great addition to many recipes.
One option is to pair feta with seasonal vegetables. For example, a Greek salad with tomatoes, olives, and pitta bread, or a watermelon and cucumber salad with mint, red onion, and a simple vinaigrette. Feta also goes well with roasted vegetables, such as bell peppers, tomatoes, and herbs, and can be served with crusty bread or pita chips.
For a heartier salad, feta can be added to a lentil salad, using mango chutney as a glaze for the cheese. Feta also pairs well with walnuts, as seen in a beetroot salad with lentils, rocket, and walnuts.
Feta can also be baked and added to salads. Baked feta with cherry tomatoes, garlic, basil, and cooked rigatoni is a simple and cheesy dish. Baked feta can also be served as an appetizer with crusty bread or pita chips, or as a topping for soup.
When using feta in salads, it is recommended to use a block of feta cheese rather than pre-crumbled feta, as the pre-crumbled variety often has additives to prevent it from sticking together.
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Baked feta
To make baked feta, start by placing a rectangular piece of feta, about 1/2 inch to 1 inch thick, in an oven-safe dish. Drizzle the feta with extra virgin olive oil and place it in a high-heated oven set to 350-400 degrees F for about 10-15 minutes. If you want to add some colour to the cheese, you can put it under the broiler for a few minutes after baking, but be careful not to burn it.
Once the feta is warmed and softened, it's ready to serve with your choice of sides. Some popular options include pita bread, crackers, or sliced baguette, along with a variety of toppings such as honey, mint, chilli flakes, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. You can also add a tomato-based sauce, chickpeas, and kale to turn it into a heartier meal.
If you're feeling creative, you can experiment with different ingredients to add to your baked feta. For example, you can try wrapping the feta in phyllo dough before baking, or topping it with olives and oranges for a unique flavour combination.
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Omelettes
Feta cheese is a great ingredient to add to an omelette, giving it a creamy texture and a Greek twist. Here are some tips and recipes for making a delicious feta cheese omelette.
Ingredients
The key ingredients for a Greek-style omelette with feta cheese are eggs, feta cheese, spinach, black olives, and tomatoes. You can also add milk, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs like mint or basil. Some recipes suggest adding onions, oregano, or even meat such as chopped ham. For a dairy-free option, you can replace milk with plant-based milk and feta cheese with a non-dairy alternative, adding nutritional yeast to replicate the umami taste of feta.
Preparation
Start by preparing the vegetables. Finely chop the spinach, slice the olives, and remove the seeds from the tomatoes, chopping them into small pieces. You can also finely chop an onion if you plan to include it. Beat the eggs in a separate bowl, adding milk, salt, and pepper if desired. Heat olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the vegetables and fry for a few minutes, stirring frequently. Spread them evenly in the pan.
Cooking the Omelette
Pour the beaten egg mixture into the pan, allowing the uncooked egg to flow over the vegetables. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pan with a lid. Cook until the eggs are browned from the bottom. Remove the lid and sprinkle chopped herbs and crumbled feta cheese on top. Gently fold the omelette in half using a spatula. Remove the pan from the heat and let the omelette rest for a couple of minutes. The residual heat will cook the eggs further and melt the cheese. Serve hot.
Variations
You can experiment with different ingredients and variations to create your unique feta cheese omelette. For a thinner, crepe-like omelette, use a larger pan. You can also make a Greek-style egg scramble by mixing all the ingredients in the pan instead of folding them into an omelette. For a heartier meal, serve the omelette with crusty village bread, pita bread, or a fresh salad.
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Pastas
Feta cheese can be used to make a variety of pasta dishes. One popular option is to make baked feta pasta, which became famous on TikTok. To make this dish, you will need feta cheese, cherry or grape tomatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper, and pasta. You can also add herbs and spices such as basil, garlic, thyme, or red pepper flakes.
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. In a baking dish, combine the cherry tomatoes, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss until the tomatoes are well coated. Place a block of feta cheese in the centre of the baking dish and drizzle with olive oil. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the tomatoes are bursting and the feta is melted.
While the feta and tomatoes are baking, cook your pasta according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and set aside. Once the feta and tomatoes are done, remove them from the oven and add the garlic and basil. Stir to create a creamy sauce. Finally, combine the pasta with the sauce and serve immediately.
You can also get creative and experiment with different ingredients and add-ons. For example, you can use short tubular pastas such as macaroni or cavatappi, or try gluten-free options. You can also add proteins such as rotisserie chicken, sliced chicken breasts, or shrimp. For a vegetarian option, add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, asparagus, bell peppers, or arugula. Play around with different herbs and spices to find your favourite combination.
Another option for a feta pasta dish is to cook the pasta and sauce separately and then combine them. Boil your desired type of pasta in salted water until al dente. In a separate pan, heat olive oil and add tomatoes and salt. Cook until the tomatoes are soft and have released their juices. Drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the tomatoes. Reduce the heat and toss to coat the pasta. Finally, add the feta cheese and basil, stirring until combined. Serve immediately.
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Appetizers
Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of appetisers. Here are some ideas for appetisers featuring feta cheese:
Baked Feta
Baked feta is a simple and delicious appetiser. To make it, drizzle extra virgin olive oil over a block of feta cheese and bake it in the oven until it becomes warm and creamy. Serve it with crusty bread or homemade pita chips for dipping. You can also add some bell peppers, tomatoes, and herbs to the dish for extra flavour.
Feta and Vegetable Appetisers
Feta cheese pairs well with a variety of vegetables and can be used to make healthy and tasty appetisers. Try making a watermelon and cucumber salad with feta, mint, and red onion, tossed with a simple vinaigrette. Alternatively, stuff mushrooms with a mixture of feta and walnuts, or create spinach puffs for a tasty vegetarian option.
Feta Dips
Feta cheese can be used to make creamy and flavourful dips. For a simple option, whip feta and drizzle it with olive oil, serving it with radishes, carrots, and cucumber for dipping. You can also create a more complex dip by blending feta with cream cheese and stuffing it into sweet bell peppers, then baking them until they are bubbly. Serve these appetisers with pita chips or crudités.
Feta and Egg Appetisers
Feta cheese and eggs are a classic combination. Try making a feta and asparagus quiche, or add feta to an omelette with diced chicken, spinach, and perhaps some olives or tomatoes. For a more substantial appetiser, serve feta with boiled chicken, drizzled with olive oil, salt, oregano, and a slice of feta on the side.
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Frequently asked questions
Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads, pastas, pies, quiches, omelettes, soups, and appetizers.
Yes, feta cheese can be baked. In fact, there is a viral TikTok recipe for baked feta pasta that has spawned several offshoots, including baked feta soup, baked feta eggs, and baked feta bites.
Feta cheese is commonly used in Greek salads, but it can also be used in a watermelon feta salad or a beetroot and feta salad.
Feta cheese can be used in a variety of appetizers, including feta walnut-stuffed mushrooms, spinach puffs, or a creamy whipped feta dip served with radishes, carrots, and cucumber for dunking.
Feta cheese can be used in a variety of main courses, including a Greek-inspired traybake with olives, pitta bread, and tomatoes, or a protein-packed lentil and oat balls served over couscous with olive salsa.
