Delicious Toppings To Compliment Feta Cheese

Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is a crumbly, creamy Greek delicacy with a salty and tangy flavour that can be used to enhance the taste of a dish. Feta can be grilled, baked, whipped, or marinated, and it pairs well with fruits, vegetables, meats, and other cheeses.

Feta with fruit

Feta is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads, baked goods, and appetisers. It is a crumbly, creamy Greek delicacy with a tangy, briny flavour. While it is commonly used in Greek salads, it can also be paired with fruits for a sweet and savoury combination. Here are some ideas for using feta with fruit:

Watermelon and Feta Salad

Watermelon and feta is a classic combination that is especially refreshing during the summer. This salad combines large cubes of juicy watermelon with thinly sliced shallots, torn mint leaves, and crumbled feta cheese. It is a simple yet delicious dish that is perfect for patio dining on a warm summer day.

Grilled Peach and Arugula Salad with Feta

This salad takes advantage of sweet summer peaches and pairs them with peppery arugula and salty feta cheese. Grilled peaches enhance their natural sweetness, which is beautifully contrasted by the salty feta. This salad is a delightful mix of flavours and textures.

Baked Feta and Blueberries

For a unique twist on the classic fruit and cheese plate, try baking feta with blueberries. The blueberries and feta create a creamy, jam-like dip that can be served with crackers, toasted bread, graham crackers, or shortbread cookies. This dish is a fun and unexpected way to enjoy feta and fruit together.

Feta with Grapes

Feta and grapes are another unexpected but delightful pairing. The salty, tangy feta complements the sweetness of the grapes, creating a tasty snack or appetiser. You can also add nuts and drizzle with honey for a more substantial dish.

Strawberry Feta Salad

A strawberry and feta salad is a perfect summer treat. The sweetness of the strawberries is balanced by the salty feta, creating a refreshing and flavourful dish. This salad can also be transformed into a hearty main course by adding cooked whole grains and grilled chicken.

Feta and fruit combinations offer a unique blend of sweet and savoury flavours, adding a tangy twist to your meals. These ideas showcase the versatility of feta and how it can elevate simple dishes into something special.

Feta with vegetables

Feta is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads, baked goods, and appetisers. Here are some ideas for combining feta with vegetables:

Salads

Feta is a popular addition to salads, where it provides a tangy and salty flavour. Some specific examples include:

• Greek salad: This traditional combination typically includes tomato, cucumber, olives, and feta.
• Watermelon and feta salad: A refreshing summer dish that can also include mint, red onion, and a simple vinaigrette.
• Corn salad: A summery dish with corn, sumac, and feta.
• Mediterranean salad: A hearty salad with chickpeas, olives, roasted red peppers, and feta, dressed with a red wine vinaigrette.
• Beet salad: A unique and colourful option that pairs well with the tangy flavour of feta.
• Arugula salad: The peppery taste of arugula is balanced by the salty feta, and the addition of balsamic vinegar enhances the dish.

Baked dishes

Feta can be baked and served with vegetables, such as:

• Baked feta with olives and roasted tomatoes: A Mediterranean-inspired dish that combines Italian tomatoes, herbs, olives, and smoky roasted tomatoes.
• Baked feta and artichoke dip: Tangy feta and briny olives are combined with artichokes and served warm or at room temperature with pita bread or crostini.
• Baked eggs with spinach and feta: A savoury dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast or as a light meal.
• Spanakopita: A traditional Greek spinach pie that includes feta, herbs, and eggs, baked in filo dough.
• Greek baked orzo: A baked pasta dish with kale, red peppers, chicken or chickpeas, fresh dill, lemon, and feta.

Appetisers and snacks

Feta can be a delicious addition to appetisers and snacks, such as:

• Feta toast: Mash feta on toast and top it with your favourite vegetables, such as spinach, zucchini, or tomatoes.
• Feta and spinach grilled cheese sandwich: A unique combination of feta, spinach, and strawberries grilled to perfection.
• Feta dip: Combine feta with lemon, olive oil, and cream cheese to create a creamy dip for veggies, pita chips, or crostini.
• Feta egg rolls: Wonton wrappers filled with honey, olive oil, and feta, fried to a golden brown.
• Feta-stuffed olives: A simple, summery snack that can be served with hummus, cucumber, pita chips, and tomatoes.

These are just a few ideas to get you started, but the possibilities are endless when it comes to combining feta with vegetables. Get creative and enjoy the tangy, salty flavour of feta in your next meal!

Feta with meat

Feta is a soft, crumbly cheese from Greece that is traditionally made from sheep's milk. It is often cut with goat's milk and, in the United States, is sometimes made with cow's milk. Feta is a versatile cheese that can be added to nearly any dish, from soups to salads, breakfast to dinner, and appetizers to entrées.

Feta pairs well with meat, especially beef and lamb. Here are some ideas for combining feta with meat:

Mediterranean Beef with Mixed Olives and Feta: This slow cooker dish combines beef stew meat, canned tomatoes, olives, rice, and feta cheese. The beef is cooked to fork-tender perfection, and the feta adds a tangy, salty flavour to the dish.

Greek Lamb Burgers: These lamb burgers feature a feta-yogurt sauce that is slathered on both sides of the bun. The sauce is made with feta cheese, yogurt, and fresh herbs, adding a creamy and tangy flavour to the lamb burgers.

Pomegranate Skirt Steak with Whipped Feta: This dish combines seared skirt steak with creamy whipped feta cheese, topped with a sweet pomegranate sauce, pomegranate seeds, pistachios, scallions, and chives. The rich, sweet, salty, and savoury combination of flavours makes this dish perfect for a festive occasion, such as Valentine's Day.

Turkey Feta Meatballs: These meatballs are made with ground turkey and feta cheese and can be served in a variety of ways, such as meatball subs, spaghetti and meatballs, or with a lemon-yogurt spread.

In addition to these specific recipes, feta can be added to various meat dishes as a topping or stuffing. For example, feta can be sprinkled on top of pizza with meat toppings, used as a filling for stuffed mushrooms or zucchini, or added to omelettes or scrambled eggs with meat.

Feta with bread

Feta and bread is a classic combination. In Greece, it is customary to have feta with every meal, and there is even a word for the combination: psomo-tyri, which translates to "bread-cheese".

A simple way to enjoy feta with bread is to mash feta on toast and add your favourite vegetables. You can also make a grilled feta and spinach sandwich, or a feta and strawberry grilled cheese sandwich.

Feta is also delicious when grilled or baked. To grill feta, bring it to room temperature, then sear both sides of the cheese until you see golden grill marks. Grilled feta pairs well with crusty bread, pita, or naan. To bake feta, follow the same steps, but instead of grilling, bake the cheese. Serve with crackers, naan, or crostini.

For a more elaborate dish, try making a Greek flatbread. Grill some naan and top it with arugula, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and feta crumbles.

Feta can also be whipped and used as a spread on bread. To make whipped feta, combine lemon, olive oil, feta, and cream cheese in a food processor. Serve on crostini, flatbread, or pita.

Feta with pasta

Feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including pasta. Here are some ideas for incorporating feta into your pasta creations:

Baked Feta Pasta

This viral dish combines sautéed onions, Italian tomato bruschetta, feta crumbles, Parmesan cheese, torn basil, and bucatini pasta. Baking the feta softens its texture, making the dish creamy and gooey. This method of preparing feta is also delicious when paired with crackers, naan, or crostini.

Spicy Roasted Red Pepper Bucatini with Whipped Feta

This dynamic pasta dish features a combination of spicy-sweet tomato sauce and tangy feta cheese. The whipped feta adds a creamy texture and a tangy flavour to the pasta.

Sun-Dried Tomato Feta Pasta

This recipe showcases the interplay between the sweetness of sun-dried tomatoes and the saltiness of feta. The feta cheese is added as a crumbled topping, providing a tangy surprise in each bite.

Greek Baked Orzo

Inspired by bold Greek flavours, this baked pasta dish includes leafy kale, sweet red peppers, shredded chicken or chickpeas, fresh dill, lemon, and salty feta. The feta cheese enhances the other ingredients without overpowering them.

Greek Mac and Cheese

Give your traditional mac and cheese a Greek twist by adding feta cheese, Kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, spinach, and fresh dill. The feta adds a salty, tangy punch to this comforting dish.

Garlicky Feta Eggplant Pasta

This summery pasta combines tender, garlicky eggplant, a cheesy panko topping, tangy feta, and fresh basil. The feta cheese adds a salty and creamy element to the dish, complementing the other Mediterranean flavours.

Frequently asked questions