Mediterranean Baked Feta Appetizer (Print Version)

Warm, savory appetizer featuring creamy feta cheese baked with cherry tomatoes, olives, fresh herbs, and olive oil.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dairy

01 - 7 oz block feta cheese

→ Vegetables

02 - 9 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

→ Olives & Aromatics

05 - 2 oz Kalamata olives, pitted
06 - 2 tbsp fresh oregano leaves (or 1 tsp dried oregano)
07 - 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves

→ Pantry

08 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
09 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
10 - 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
11 - Zest of 1 lemon

→ To Serve

12 - Crusty bread or pita

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - Place the feta block in the center of a small ovenproof dish or skillet.
03 - Surround the feta with cherry tomatoes, red onion slices, garlic, and olives.
04 - Sprinkle the oregano, thyme, black pepper, and chili flakes over the cheese and vegetables.
05 - Drizzle everything generously with olive oil.
06 - Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the feta is soft and lightly golden, and the tomatoes are blistered.
07 - Remove from the oven, top with fresh lemon zest, and serve immediately with warm bread or pita.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in minutes but tastes like something you labored over
  • The way the feta transforms from crumbly to creamy is absolute alchemy
  • Its the kind of dish that makes people linger around the table longer
02 -
  • The feta won't melt like mozzarella, it softens into a spreadable consistency, and that's exactly what you want
  • Don't skip the lemon zest, it cuts through the richness and wakes up the whole dish
03 -
  • Let the dish rest for about 5 minutes after baking, the flavors need a moment to meld together
  • If the feta starts browning too quickly, tent the dish loosely with foil

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