Andy Montoya
Feta is a Greek cheese that has been a part of the Greek diet since around the 8th century B.C. It is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to baked dishes and appetizers. Feta is often described as salty, tangy, creamy, and crumbly. Its strong flavour means that it can be paired with a wide variety of foods, from fresh fruit to classic noodles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Creamy, crumbly, salty, tangy, slightly grainy |
| Flavour | Salty, tangy, citrus, lemony, sharp |
| Pairs well with | Salads, pasta, flatbread, crackers, chicken, steak, fish, tofu, fruits, vegetables, legumes, bread, barley, rice, quinoa, lamb, beef |
| Cuisines | Greek, Mediterranean |
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What You'll Learn
Salads and flatbreads
Feta is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of salads and flatbreads. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Salads
- Greek Salad: This is a classic combination of feta with vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and onions.
- Watermelon, Mint, and Feta Salad: A refreshing and juicy option, especially if you enjoy sweet and salty combinations.
- Mediterranean Pasta Salad: A colourful and packable option with feta, extra virgin olive oil, fresh herbs, and a creamy dressing.
- Quinoa and Roasted Veggie Salad: A simple bowl of vegetables transformed into something extraordinary with the addition of feta.
- Balsamic Berry Salad Lettuce Cups: A light salad perfect for warmer months, with the option to add grilled chicken for a heartier meal.
- Olive and Feta Salad: A Mediterranean toss with buttery green olives, shallots, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh herbs.
- Mushroom Salad: A unique combination suggested by a feta lover, featuring the salty and crumbly feta with mushrooms.
Flatbreads
- Summertime Flatbreads: A colourful and bright combination of feta with extra virgin olive oil, fresh herbs, and vegetables.
- Flatbread with Grape Tomatoes: Top a flatbread with grape tomatoes, basil, pine nuts, and crumbled feta. Pair it with a glass of Chianti for a Mediterranean touch.
- Feta and Eggplant Rolls: Smoky eggplant and creamy feta cheese filling with a tomato sauce spiced with herbs make for a delicious and impressive dish.
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Fruits and vegetables
Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be paired with various fruits and vegetables. Its salty and tangy flavour profile enhances the taste of sweet fruits, such as melons (especially watermelon), apricots, nectarines, and grapes. For a refreshing summer treat, try a watermelon, mint, and feta salad, or simply sprinkle feta on top of sliced watermelon.
When it comes to vegetables, feta is an excellent pairing for asparagus, zucchini, red peppers, artichokes, avocado, beetroot, eggplant, cucumber, spinach, and sweet potato. Feta's tangy flavour complements the earthy and fresh notes of these vegetables. It is also a great addition to Mediterranean dishes, pairing well with olive oil, tomatoes, and onions. For example, you can stuff eggplant with fresh tomato and onion, or create a Greek-style salad with tomato, cucumber, and olives.
Feta is also a tasty addition to beans and legumes. It goes well with lentils, broad beans, and Greek-style peas. For a simple yet delicious snack, sprinkle feta on nacho chips with sliced black olives, or try Greek-style nachos with spicy whipped feta.
The salty and tangy characteristics of feta also make it a perfect match for potatoes. The tanginess of the cheese cuts through the starchiness of the potato, creating a flavourful combination. Additionally, feta pairs well with herbs, enhancing their flavours. Try adding feta to a Mediterranean-style omelette with herbs, spinach, mushrooms, and sundried tomatoes for a restaurant-worthy dish.
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Meat and fish
Feta is a versatile cheese that can be paired with a variety of meats and fish.
Meat
Feta can be a great addition to steak, chicken, and tofu. For instance, grilling a brick of feta softens its texture and makes it toasty, which pairs well with steak and chicken.
Fish
Feta is especially good with fish, as the natural saltiness of the fish combines well with the flavour profile of feta, enhancing the fresh and briny taste of the fish. Feta can be added to mild fish like grouper, halibut, and salmon to add a tangy boldness to the dish. For example, feta crumbles on grilled salmon with a squeeze of lemon can be a great combination.
A Mediterranean fish bake with tomatoes, garlic, olives, and feta is another tasty option. This combination of ingredients creates a flavorful juice that pairs well with a loaf of artisan bread or sourdough. Feta can also be substituted with goat cheese or parmesan in such recipes.
Some other popular combinations of fish and cheese include mussels served in a blue cheese broth, clams prepared in butter and parmesan, and tuna mixed with mayonnaise, onions, and parmesan.
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Legumes and grains
Feta is a versatile cheese that can be added to a variety of dishes, including legumes and grains. Here are some ideas for pairing feta with legumes and grains:
Legumes
Feta pairs well with a variety of legumes, such as beans and lentils. You can add feta to bean dishes, such as chilli or soup, to provide a tangy and creamy element. White beans, in particular, add a hearty creaminess to dishes like baked feta eggs, where the feta is baked until gooey and paired with a side of crusty bread or pita. Feta also goes well with black beans, as in Mexican-inspired dishes like tacos or scrambled eggs with salsa, cilantro, and feta. For a simple appetizer, try marinating feta in olive oil, herbs, garlic, lemon, and sun-dried tomatoes, and serve it with crackers or crusty bread.
Grains
When it comes to grains, feta is an excellent addition to dishes like salads, sandwiches, and grain bowls. In a salad, feta adds a tangy flavour that pairs well with sweet fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe, or grapes. It also goes well with vegetables such as spinach, zucchini, cucumber, and olives. For a heartier dish, combine feta with grains like pasta or rice. Feta can be added to pasta dishes for a tangy surprise, or baked until creamy and served with noodles. It also pairs well with Mediterranean-style dishes, such as a Greek salad with tomato, cucumber, and olives, or a Greek omelet with spinach, mushrooms, and sun-dried tomatoes. For a simple, classic pairing, enjoy feta with bread. The Greeks have a word for this combination: psomo-tyri, or bread-cheese.
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Baked dishes
Baked Feta
A baked feta dish can be a delicious and impressive appetizer. Simply bake the feta cheese with crushed Italian tomatoes, herbs, olives, and smoky roasted tomatoes. Serve it with toasted slices of Italian bread for a Mediterranean-inspired treat.
Grilled Vegetable Lasagna
For a vegetarian option, try a grilled vegetable lasagna with feta cheese. This dish combines grilled eggplant rolls filled with smoky eggplant, creamy feta cheese, and a tomato sauce spiced with herbs. It is a gluten-free alternative to traditional lasagna and can be served as a main course.
Baked Eggs with Spinach and Feta
This dish is a tasty way to incorporate feta into your breakfast or brunch. Simply bake eggs with spinach and feta cheese, and perhaps add some sun-dried tomatoes, zucchini, or olives for extra flavour.
Savoury Muffins
Feta cheese can also be added to savoury muffins. Bake muffins with various vegetables, such as zucchini or spinach, and crumble feta cheese on top. Drizzle with honey for a sweet and salty combination.
Marinated Feta
For an appetizer, marinate feta cheese in olive oil, fresh herbs, garlic, lemon, and sun-dried tomatoes. Serve it with crackers or crusty bread for a tasty treat.
Baked Feta with Vegetables
Feta cheese pairs well with vegetables, so consider baking it with your favourite veggies. Some options include artichoke hearts, spinach, cucumber, roasted red peppers, eggplant, or zucchini. You can also add feta to a vegetable lasagna for an extra creamy and tangy flavour.
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