Description
Mediterranean baked feta dazzles taste buds with rich, tangy flavors straight from Greece’s culinary landscape. Fragrant herbs, briny olives, and golden-baked cheese create a simple yet elegant appetizer that transports you to sun-drenched coastal dining.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese and Main Ingredients:
- 1 (8 ounces / 226 grams) block feta cheese (Greek feta, not crumbled)
Herbs and Spices:
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Flavor Enhancers and Accompaniments:
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained & chopped)
- ¼ cup mixed olives (Kalamata, green, or a mix, pitted & halved)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey (for a hint of sweetness, optional)
- 2 cloves garlic (thinly sliced or minced)
- Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish, optional)
- Crusty bread, pita chips, or crackers (for serving)
Instructions
- Position the oven rack in the center and heat to 375°F (190°C), creating an ideal roasting environment for the Mediterranean-style cheese preparation.
- Select a compact oven-safe ceramic dish or cast-iron skillet that will snugly accommodate the feta block without excessive extra space.
- Arrange the feta cheese centrally in the chosen baking vessel, ensuring it sits flat and stable.
- Generously scatter kalamata and green olives around the cheese, distributing them evenly to create visual texture and flavor intensity.
- Sprinkle sun-dried tomatoes strategically across the surface, allowing their rich, concentrated flavor to complement the creamy feta.
- Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the entire composition, ensuring a light but thorough coating that will enhance the dish’s Mediterranean character.
- Crush dried oregano between your fingertips and dust it over the cheese and accompaniments, releasing its aromatic essential oils.
- Add freshly cracked black pepper and a delicate pinch of red pepper flakes for subtle heat and complexity.
- Slide the prepared dish into the preheated oven, positioning it to ensure even heat circulation.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until the feta softens and turns slightly golden at the edges, developing a luxurious, creamy texture.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 3-5 minutes, allowing the intense flavors to meld and the cheese to stabilize.
- Serve immediately with crusty artisan bread or warm pita for optimal enjoyment.
Notes
- Opt for high-quality Greek feta for the most authentic and rich Mediterranean flavor profile.
- Drain sun-dried tomatoes thoroughly to prevent excess liquid from making the dish watery and ensuring concentrated flavor.
- Choose kalamata or mixed Mediterranean olives for a more complex and robust taste experience.
- Experiment with adding fresh herbs like oregano or thyme directly on top of the feta for an extra aromatic dimension that elevates the entire dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg