Description
Mediterranean magic meets simple elegance in this baked feta masterpiece. Creamy Greek cheese nestled with briny olives and tangy sun-dried tomatoes creates a luxurious appetizer you’ll savor with crusty bread and warm conversations.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) feta cheese
- 1 cup pitted olives, drained
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes
Herbs and Seasonings:
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- Kosher salt
- Fresh cracked pepper
Additional Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
- Sliced French bread or crostini, for serving
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius), ensuring the rack is positioned in the middle.
- Select a small ceramic or glass baking dish that will snugly accommodate the feta block.
- Position the whole block of feta cheese centrally in the prepared baking dish.
- Artfully scatter kalamata and green olives around the feta, creating a rustic Mediterranean arrangement.
- Distribute sun-dried tomatoes evenly across the dish, filling any remaining spaces between olives and cheese.
- Create a flavor-infused olive oil mixture by whisking together extra virgin olive oil, thinly sliced garlic cloves, dried oregano, fresh thyme leaves, crushed rosemary, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper.
- Delicately drizzle the aromatic olive oil blend over the feta, ensuring complete coverage of the cheese and surrounding ingredients.
- Transfer the dish to the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, allowing the cheese to soften and ingredients to meld.
- Switch oven to broil and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to achieve a golden, slightly crisp top without burning.
- Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley for a vibrant touch.
- Serve piping hot alongside crusty French bread, rustic sourdough, or homemade crostini for an irresistible appetizer.
Notes
- Elevate your appetizer game with this Mediterranean-inspired baked feta that transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious, flavor-packed dish.
- Choose high-quality feta cheese with a creamy texture for the most delicious results, preferably a block rather than pre-crumbled cheese.
- Ensure ingredients are at room temperature before baking to help them blend and caramelize more evenly and develop deeper flavors.
- Adjust baking time carefully to prevent cheese from becoming rubbery; watch closely during the final broiling stage to achieve a perfect golden top.
- Pair this warm, tangy appetizer with crisp white wine or rosé to complement the rich, herbaceous flavors of the dish.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and gently reheated, making it an excellent make-ahead option for entertaining.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 385 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 890 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg