Kamil Perry
Feta cheese is a popular ingredient in many dishes, often used for its tangy flavor and creamy texture. However, when it comes to melting feta cheese in a sauce, opinions differ. Some sources claim that feta cheese does not melt and is therefore unsuitable for sauces like alfredo. In contrast, others suggest that while it may not melt in the traditional sense, it can become creamy and soft when baked, particularly when combined with acidic ingredients like tomatoes or lemons. Additionally, feta cheese can be blended with other ingredients like Greek yogurt, cream cheese, and olive oil to create a creamy feta sauce that can be used in various dishes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Melting | Feta cheese does not melt in the same way as other cheeses. It does not emulsify and become stretchy, but it can become very soft and crumble into microscopic bits. |
| Melting in sauce | Feta cheese does not melt well in sauces, especially cheese sauces like alfredo. It can become grainy and chunky, and fail to spread. |
| Melting with other ingredients | Feta cheese can become creamy and melt into eggs. It can also melt when baked with tomatoes, creating a sauce for pasta. |
| Flavour | Feta cheese has a bold, tangy flavour. |
| Texture | Feta cheese has a soft, creamy texture. |
| Type | Feta cheese is an acid set cheese. |
| pH | Feta cheese typically has an end pH of 4.5–4.8. |
| Calories | A feta cheese sauce can contain 119 kcal per 2 tbsp serving. |
| Storage | Feta cheese sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. |
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What You'll Learn
Feta cheese's melting properties
Feta cheese is a soft, creamy cheese with a bold, tangy flavour. It is often used in sauces, such as those served with grilled meats, chicken, or pasta. However, opinions vary on whether feta cheese melts.
Some sources claim that feta cheese does not melt and, therefore, does not work well in sauces. Acid set cheeses, such as feta, are known for their inability to melt and their tendency to crumble into small bits. This is because most true feta has a pH level of 4.5–4.8, which is outside the range of 5.0–5.5 required for a cheese to melt well.
However, other sources suggest that feta cheese can melt when baked with certain ingredients, such as tomatoes. The acid in tomatoes helps break down the protein walls in the feta, aiding the melting process. When baked, feta cheese becomes very soft and creates a creamy texture, though it does not stretch like other melting cheeses, such as cheddar.
To create a sauce with feta cheese, you can combine it with Greek yoghurt, whipped cream cheese, lemon juice, honey or agave syrup, oregano, olive oil, salt, and pepper. This sauce can be served with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or pita bread. Another option is to bake a block of feta cheese with cherry tomatoes, garlic, and basil, and then mix it with cooked pasta. The melted feta and tomatoes create a salty and cheesy sauce for the pasta.
In summary, while feta cheese may not melt in the traditional sense, it can become soft and creamy when baked or combined with other ingredients, making it suitable for use in sauces.
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Feta sauce recipes
Feta cheese has a bold, tangy flavour and a soft, creamy texture that allows it to crumble and melt easily, making it perfect for sauces. However, some sources claim that feta does not melt and that melting may be a sign of poor-quality cheese. Acid set cheeses like feta do not melt and become stretchy like other cheeses but instead disintegrate into very small pieces. Sheep's milk feta will get creamier than cow's milk feta when baked, which will become grainy. Acid, such as that in tomatoes, can help feta melt a little better.
Creamy Feta Cheese Sauce
This sauce can be served with grilled meat, such as chicken, or used as a dip with pita chips. It can also be spread on slices of grilled baguette or crostini.
- Combine 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup whipped cream cheese, 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice, 1/2 tsp. agave syrup or honey, and 1/4 tsp. dried oregano in a small food processor.
- Pulse the ingredients until they are well-blended and creamy, about 1-2 minutes.
- Drizzle in 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, and add a small pinch of salt and pepper. Blend on "low" speed until fully combined.
- Season to taste.
Feta Sauce for Chicken
This sauce can be served with chicken and pasta.
- Trim chicken breasts and season on both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil then place chicken in the skillet. Cook 4–5 minutes per side or until cooked through. Remove the chicken and cover with foil to keep warm.
- Stir in oregano, garlic powder, and lemon zest, then reduce heat to low and simmer 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally until slightly thickened.
- Add feta crumbles, stir until the cheese is mostly melted, then remove from heat.
- Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper and adjust consistency with a bit of extra milk if necessary. Pour sauce over chicken breasts and sprinkle with diced tomatoes and sliced green onions. Serve immediately.
Feta Dressing
This dressing can be used as a salad dressing or a dip for grilled chicken.
Add 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 6 ounces feta cheese, the juice of 1 lemon, 1 clove grated garlic, 3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, and 2 tbsp. water to a food processor or blender.
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Feta sauce with Greek yoghurt
Feta cheese is a soft, white cheese made with sheep's milk or a mixture of sheep and goat cheese. It is stored in brine to protect it from air exposure, which can dry out the cheese and alter its taste. Feta has a soft, creamy texture that allows it to crumble and melt easily, making it a versatile ingredient for cooking. However, it is important to note that feta does not melt in the same way as other cheeses. Instead, it becomes very soft and disintegrates into microscopic bits without emulsifying.
Now, let's delve into the topic of creating a Feta sauce with Greek yoghurt:
Ingredients:
- Feta Cheese: You can use crumbled feta or a block of feta cheese. A block of feta has a better flavour and texture but is more expensive. Crumbled feta is a more economical option and will work just fine.
- Greek Yoghurt: Full-fat, plain Greek yoghurt is recommended for the best richness and creaminess. If needed, you can use non-fat Greek yoghurt, but the sauce won't be as indulgent.
- Additional Ingredients: Depending on your taste preferences and the dish you're preparing, you can add ingredients like whipped cream cheese, lemon juice, agave syrup or honey, dried oregano, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Preparation:
- Combine the Main Ingredients: In a small food processor, blend feta cheese, Greek yoghurt, and any additional ingredients you've chosen. For a basic sauce, you might use equal parts feta and yoghurt with a squeeze of lemon juice, a pinch of oregano, a drizzle of olive oil, and a touch of salt and pepper.
- Blend: Pulse the ingredients until they are well-combined and creamy. Adjust the consistency with a bit of extra yoghurt or olive oil if needed.
- Season to Taste: Taste your sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more lemon juice for acidity, a touch of honey or agave syrup for sweetness, or adjust the salt and pepper to your preference.
- Serve or Store: Your feta sauce with Greek yoghurt is now ready to serve! It pairs well with grilled pita, roasted vegetables, meats, or poultry. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Tips and Variations:
- For a no-cook pasta sauce, combine feta, Greek yoghurt, lemon zest, pepper, dill, and/or basil. Toss with hot, al dente pasta and a little pasta water for a creamy, tangy dish.
- Create a versatile feta sauce with Greek yoghurt and basil. This sauce pairs well with warm pasta, cooked chicken breasts, salmon, or as a salad dressing for leafy greens, beans, or grains.
- If you're making a larger batch, consider doubling or tripling the recipe. The sauce will keep for a few days, so you can enjoy it with various dishes.
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Baked feta pasta
Ingredients:
- Feta cheese (a block of feta is recommended for the best melting consistency, but crumbled feta can also be used)
- Cherry or grape tomatoes (fresh, not canned)
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Basil
- Garlic (smashed or minced)
- Pasta of your choice (short tubular shapes like macaroni or cavatappi work well, but any type will do)
Optional ingredients for added flavour:
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Lemon zest
- Spinach
- Shallots
- Greek yogurt
- Cream cheese
- Lemon juice
- Agave syrup or honey
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Add the tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil to a baking dish and toss to coat. Season with salt and red pepper flakes.
- Place the feta in the centre of the tomatoes and turn to coat with oil.
- Bake for 30 minutes, then increase the oven temperature to 450°F and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the tomatoes are bursting and the feta is golden and softened.
- Meanwhile, cook your pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve some of the pasta water before draining, as this can be added to adjust the consistency of the sauce if needed.
- Remove the baking dish from the oven and smash the tomatoes, garlic, oil, and feta together to create a sauce.
- Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish and toss to combine. If desired, add some of the reserved pasta water to thin out the sauce.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, and garnish with basil. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips:
- Feta cheese does not melt in the same way as other cheeses, so don't expect it to become stretchy or gooey. Instead, it will soften and become creamy when baked.
- Sheep's milk feta is recommended for the best results, as cow's milk feta may become grainy.
- Play around with additional ingredients to customise the dish to your taste. For example, add shallots, extra herbs, or spices like crushed red pepper flakes.
- This dish is best served fresh, as the pasta will soften over time. However, leftovers can be stored in the fridge for a few days or frozen for up to two months.
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Feta cheese alternatives
Feta cheese is a hard white cheese made from sheep's milk and aged in brine. It has a unique tangy, salty flavour and a firm,
Ricotta Salata
Ricotta salata is an Italian cheese made from sheep's milk. It has a similar crumbly texture to feta but lacks its tanginess. Its subtle, milky flavour can complement salads or pasta dishes well.
Halloumi
Halloumi, a cheese originating from Cyprus, has a similar texture and salty flavour to feta. It provides a similar substance and salty kick to dishes.
Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is a suitable alternative to feta in certain dishes, especially salads or as a topping for baked potatoes. It has a creamy texture and a milder flavour, lacking the trademark tanginess of feta.
Paneer
Paneer, a cheese commonly used in Indian cuisine, has a mild flavour and a firm, crumbly texture similar to feta. It can be used in a range of dishes such as curries, salads or even as a pizza topping.
Persian Feta
Persian feta is a softer, creamier, and less salty alternative to traditional Greek feta. It is marinated in oil, herbs, and garlic, giving it a distinct flavour.
Cow's Milk Feta
If the strong flavour of traditional feta is not to your taste, cow's milk feta offers a milder alternative. While it may not fully melt or dissolve, it can still be a tasty addition to sauces.
Creating a Feta Sauce
Although feta cheese does not melt, it can be incorporated into a sauce by blending it with other ingredients. One recipe for a creamy feta sauce includes combining crumbled feta, Greek yoghurt, whipped cream cheese, lemon juice, agave syrup or honey, oregano, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. This sauce can be served with grilled pita, roasted vegetables, or meat.
Another option is to bake feta with tomatoes and pasta, creating a creamy sauce. The acid in the tomatoes helps break down the protein walls in the feta, allowing it to melt slightly and create a creamy texture.
In conclusion, while feta cheese itself does not melt, there are alternative cheeses that can be used in sauces. Additionally, feta can be incorporated into sauces by blending it with other ingredients or baking it with acidic ingredients like tomatoes.
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Frequently asked questions
Feta cheese typically does not melt and does not work well to make sauces like alfredo. However, it can become soft and creamy when baked, especially when combined with ingredients like tomatoes, which have an acidic quality that helps break down the cheese.
Sheep's milk feta is the best option for creating a creamy sauce. Cow's milk feta will result in a grainier texture.
Acidic ingredients like lemon juice or tomatoes can help break down the feta and create a smoother sauce. Olive oil, Greek yogurt, and cream cheese can also be added to create a creamier texture.
Baked feta pasta, Mediterranean pasta, and chicken with feta sauce are some popular dishes that use feta cheese as a key ingredient in their sauces. Feta sauce can also be used as a topping for grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or pita bread.
To make a basic feta cheese sauce, combine feta with Greek yogurt, lemon juice, honey or agave syrup, oregano, and olive oil. Pulse the ingredients in a food processor until well-blended and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
