One of the concepts I learned in my master’s program was the concept of repeated exposure: repeatedly eating a food you don’t like until your body realizes “hey, this probably won’t kill me,” and you begin to like it. For me, that food was always tomatoes. But after our two week tomato spotlight, where I repeatedly inundated myself with tomato-packed recipes, my body transitioned from “hard no” to “ehhh maybe” to “I…like these things”. Today’s recipe is a simple one. You throw all the makings of a Greek salad into aluminum foil, wrap it up, and bake for a few minutes. And yep, it includes tomatoes. The tomatoes burst, the onions soften, and the feta becomes creamy and spreadable. Throw it in the oven as a last minute appetizer or on the grill for a hassle-free BBQ side!
Ingredients in this baked feta
You’ll only need six ingredients to make this feta spread. Start with a block of your favorite feta and grab some olive oil, a few veggies, and two seasonings.
Feta: This recipe will of course use a base of feta cheese. You’ll need 1 block (about 7oz). Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons of olive oil will be drizzled over the feta to soak in some flavor. Olives: Next, use 6 olives. Remove the pits to avoid working around them later! Cherry Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes add fresh flavor and acidity! I like using cherry tomatoes on the vine for maximum fanciness, but you can use any variety. Red Onion: Add some serious savory flavor with ¼ cup of sliced red onions. Seasonings: Last but not least, complete this app with a pinch of black pepper and another pinch of oregano.
How to bake feta cheese
Baked feta is like its own little delicacy, transforming into a warm and creamy spread that’s perfect with crackers or thick and hearty bread. Step 1: Prep the ingredientsTo start, preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Set the feta in the center of a large sheet of aluminum foil. Then, drizzle it with the oil and add the olives, tomatoes, onion, and spices. You can just toss them on top. Pull up the sides of the foil and crimp them together to seal the ingredients into a pouch. Step 2: Bake the fetaThen, bake the feta for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese has softened and the tomatoes have burst. Serve warm with pita chips or sliced bread.
Baked Feta Variations
Consider changing up the flavor of your baked feta by incorporating one or two of these ideas!
Infused olive oil: Use a flavored olive oil! Garlic or Italian would taste great with this feta. Red pepper flakes: Amp up the heat with the addition of a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes or a few jalapeno slices. Herbs: Add extra flavor with hearty herbs like rosemary, thyme, or bay leaves. Swap the cheese: While not as melty, this recipe would also be great with protein-packed halloumi or even a vegan tofu feta cheese.
Recipes to Serve with Greek baked feta
A Greek appetizer that tastes this good calls for equally delicious Mediterranean pairings. Try it with one of these recipes!
Roasted Chickpea Gyros Portobello Mushroom Gyros Spanakopita Triangles Mediterranean Marinated Olives
P.S. You can take this recipe while camping by following this campfire feta tutorial!
