Feta Cheese: The Ultimate Guide to Its Rich, Savory Taste
Feta is a crumbly, aged, and brined cheese with a slightly grainy texture, traditionally made in Greece. It can be made from cow, ewe, or goat's milk. Feta is versatile for use in salads, pastries, baking, sandwiches, or served cooked or grilled. You can make feta at home using milk, mesophilic culture, rennet, and salt. A popular recipe is baked feta pasta, combining feta with tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, chili flakes, and pasta. The most famous recipe with feta is the traditional Greek Salad.
Ingredients
200g feta cheese (or a feta substitute like French feta or vegan feta)
2 cups cherry tomatoes
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
250g pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a baking dish, place the block of feta in the center. Surround it with cherry tomatoes and minced garlic. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tomatoes burst and the feta turns golden and creamy.
As the feta bakes in the oven, prepare the pasta by following the instructions on the package. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
Use a fork to blend the baked feta and tomatoes into a smooth, creamy sauce. Toss in the cooked pasta, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a silky sauce. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley.
Notes
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
Calories: 450
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Protein: 15g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 800mg
Calcium: 20% DV
Iron: 10% DV