Easy Whipped Feta Appetizer
Indulge in rich, creamy and slightly tangy flavor of whipped feta. This delicious whipped cheese takes couple of minutes to prepare and can be used as dip, spread or a topping on your pasta. Pair it with your favorite vegetables, pita chips, garlic toast, roasted tomatoes and other veggies.
RECIPE FOR WHIPPED FETA WITH ROASTED TOMATOES
Whipped feta can be easily customized to your liking with different herbs, spices, natural flavorings like pepper paste or combination of cheeses and different nuts. There are endless variations and flavor combinations but today we are making one of the classics: Whipped Feta with Roasted Tomatoes on a slice of garlic crostini.
THINGS YOU NEED
- Blender – chopper or immersion/stick blender – I used a stick blender but a small chopper works great, too.
- Spatula
- Rimmed baking sheet
- Parchment
- Knife and cutting board (optional)
- Serving dishes
- Pastry brush (optional)
WHIPPED FETA AND ROASTED TOMATOES INGREDIENTS
- Whipped Feta Ingredients
- Feta – I used a block of feta that I crumbled with my fingers
- Plain Greek Yogurt or Skyr
- Olive Oil
- Ground Pepper
- Roasted Tomatoes Ingredients
- Cherry Tomatoes cut in half or quartered large tomatoes
- Olive Oil
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Dry Basil
- Dry Oregano
- Salt
HOW TO PREPARE WHIPPED FETA
You can use an immersion blender or a small chopper/food processor to whip up versatile feta dip/spread in just several minutes. I used a tall blender mixing cup. Into the blender cup add yogurt and olive oil. If you have a block feta cheese, crumble it with your fingers. I used some ground black pepper, too. Blend until smooth, 3-4 minutes. Scrape it out into a bowl, cover with a food wrap and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. For the best taste, allow the whipped feta to come to room temperature before serving.
DELICIOUS ROASTED TOMATOES
To prepare roasted tomatoes, first wash them, then slice or quarter them. You can prepare an easy marinade made with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dry basil, oregano, and a pinch of salt. Pour it over tomatoes and toss them around to coat. Roast tomatoes at 375F (190C) for about 25 minutes until caramelized and very soft. Allow roasted tomatoes to cool. You can store them in the fridge. Let them come to room temperature before serving.
OTHER TOPPINGS
The bold flavor of feta welcomes variety of toppings. What are your favorites?
- Olive Oil
- Honey
- Chopped Walnuts or other nuts
- Chopped Herbs like chives, parsley, basil
EASY GARLIC COSTINI / TOASTED BREAD SLICES
I love crostini and so that’s what I used with my whipped feta. To make garlic crostini you need slices of bread. I used ciabatta bread, you can use a baguette, and other bread will work, too. I usually slice my bread into slices that are tad thicker than 1/2 inch. To get the most flavorful crostini I like to brush each side of bread slice with olive oil. Toast bread slices using a broil setting for 1 to 2 minutes per side ( yes, you’ll need to turn the slices over), (steps 1-3).
While toasted bread slices are still warm, peel a garlic clove and cut it on a diagonal. And generously rub one or both sides of the bread with garlic.
SERVING SUGGESTION
Indeed, you can serve feta dip/spread plain (step 1), but I like to add some toppings: olive, runny honey (heat it in the microwave for a couple of seconds if needed), chopped walnuts or other nuts, and fresh chopped chives (steps 2-6).
I like giving guests the option of plain whipped cheese and if they want they can add roasted tomato topping. That’s why I serve whipped feta and roasted tomatoes in separate bowls.
A slightly tangy feta spread pairs nicely with a juicy freshness and a hint of sweetness from roasted tomatoes.
WHIPPED FETA SUCCESS TIPS AND SERVING SUGGESTIONS
- I don’t use additional salt in this whipped cheese recipe as feta is naturally salty. You can always add salt after, if desired.
- For the best results, crumble feta before blending.
- If it becomes difficult to blend, add a little more olive oil.
- Do you find the bold feta flavor overpowering? Add 1-2 tablespoons of plain cream cheese.
- If using crumbled feta in juice, let it drain before blending.
- Use good quality feta. Low quality feta can lack the depth of flavor. In case feta lacks deep flavor you can improve the flavor with the use of herbs and spices.
- Serve this cheese whip at room temperature.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment and customize it to your liking. Do you like roasted skinless peppers? I love them. You can use them as a topping.
- Have your thought of bacon? Yes, roasted bacon and feta go well together.
- Whipped feta should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps for up to 3 days.
DELICIOUS RECIPES YOU CAN MAKE NEXT TIME
- Easy Farmer’s Cheese Recipe
- Blueberry Babka
- Steel Cut Oat Pancakes
- Pasta Recipe via Love and Lemons
- Best Hot Dog Buns Recipe
Whipped Feta and Roasted Tomatoes
Ingredients
Roasted Tomatoes
- 3/4 lb 340 grams cherry tomatoes or other tomatoes
- 1 ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon dry basil
- ¼ teaspoon dry oregano
- pinch of salt
Whipped Feta
- 7 oz Feta (200 grams)
- 5 oz plain Greek Yogurt or Skyr (150 grams)
- 2 tbsp olive oil, plus more if needed.
- 1/8 tsp pepper
Whipped Feta Toppings (optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp honey (optional)
- 1 1/2 tbsp fresh chives chopped
- 2 tbsp chopped walnuts or other nuts (optional)
Instructions
Roasted Tomatoes
- Preheat oven to 375F (190C).
- Wash and slice cherry tomatoes in half.
- Prepare marinade – in a small bowl combine 1 tablespoon and ½ tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, ½ teaspoon dry basil, ¼ teaspoon dry oregano and a pinch of salt.
- Toss tomatoes with the marinade. Pour tomatoes onto the baking sheet lined with parchment. Spread them out in one layer.
- Roast tomatoes at 375 (190C) for 20-25 minutes until roasted and caramelized. Allow to cool before serving, or store cooled roasted tomatoes in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-5 days. Serve at room temperature.
Whipped Feta
- Into an immersion blender cup pour 5oz (150 grams) plain Greek yogurt or Skyr, 7 oz (200 grams) crumbled feta, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper. Blend with the stick blender until smooth. Store in the fridge. Serve at room temperature.If you don't have a stick blender use a small chopper instead.
- To serve, spoon chilled whipped feta into a bowl, with the back of the spoon, make an indentation swirl. Pour 1 tablespoon of olive oil and runny 2 tablespoons of honey across the top. Garnish with 1 1/2 tablespoons of chives and 2 tablespoons of chopped walnuts.
- Spread whipped feta on a toasted bread and top it with roasted tomatoes.
Notes
- What to serve with Whipped Feta? – pita chips, veggies, bread, roasted strawberries in balsamic marinade.
- Whipped Feta should be kept in the fridge, and it keeps for up to 3 days.
