Creamy Baked Feta with Tomatoes

This Baked Feta and Tomato appetizer will soon be one of your go-to appetizer recipes. Tangy feta cheese is smothered in a mixture of cherry tomatoes, garlic, shallots, capers, olive oil and herbs, then broiled to creamy deliciousness with a browned top. Serve it up with some crostini or pita chips and delicious cocktails.

This Baked Feta is a killer party appetizer, here are some others to check out and round out your menu: Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip, Deviled Eggs, Skillet Cajun Shrimp, or Garlic Butter Steak Bites.

If you are a visual learner you can watch this Feta Appetizer being made on a 30 minute episode of Pin TV.

Ingredients & Supplies

Pictured below are the ingredients you will need to make this Baked Feta recipe, plus some tips on a few ingredients and supplies:

Quality Feta Cheese – You will want to look for a block of feta cheese, not the crumbles. See more about feta cheese below.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil – In this recipe you will use “extra virgin” olive oil. It has a much more pronounced flavor than just regular olive oil. Look for a Greek, Spanish or Italian extra virgin olive oil, they have a little more flavor.

Capers – If you haven’t used capers, you are going to LOVE them. They are a traditional Mediterranean ingredient. It is the edible flower buds from the perennial plant called Capparis spinosa (or caper bush or Flinders rose). They are brined and have a salty pickled flavor.

You can find them near the olives in your grocery store. If you buy a jar you can also use them in this Mediterranean Shrimp Skillet Recipe, Parmesan Baked Tilapia or Baked Caesar Chicken!

Shallots – are in the onion and garlic family. They have a milder onion flavor that pairs perfectly with the feta and capers!

Small Oven Safe Pan– To make this dish in one pan you want to have a small oven safe dish. Any of these will work:

• Lodge Oval Cast Iron Dish
• Le Creuset Oval Au Gratin Dish
• Staub 9 inch Oval Dish

Feta Cheese

Feta cheese is a semi-soft Greek white cheese that is made from sheep and/or goat milk. It is brined in blocks and has a slightly grainy texture with a very tart and tangy flavor. It is commonly used in a lot of Mediterranean and Greek recipes.

You will want to buy a block of feta- either in brine or in a package. The feta will not melt completely when it is baked. Instead, it becomes warm, soft and creamy. Perfect texture to scoop and dip with bread or chips.

Variations

If you don’t have the exact ingredients or want to make some changes here are some great substitutions to consider:

Love Olives? Add a few chopped black olives, kalamata or Greek olives to the tomato mixture.

Can’t find shallots? Try adding in finely chopped red onion instead. If you have a strong onion, cut a large slice and then rinse it with cool water before chopping. That will wash away some of the enzyme that will have the onion flavor overpower the dish.

Fresh Herbs – Add some fresh oregano, thyme or rosemary for a new flavor profile.

Fresh Tomatoes in Short Supply? Try using sun dried tomatoes instead. Buy the ones packed in oil and drain them before using. BUT you can use some of that oil in place of the extra virgin olive oil… try a 50/50 split.

How To: Recipe Step by Step

This is a pretty easy recipe. Here is how to put it together, step-by-step:

• Start by setting your block of feta in your baking dish, at room temp, for about 30 minutes. **info on cheese at room temp.
• Put a rack in the oven in one of the top positions, about 6-10 inches from the heat source. Then preheat the broiler.
• In a sauté pan over medium heat add the olive oil. Sauté the garlic and shallots for about 2 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, kosher salt, pepper and sugar and sauté for another 2-3 minutes.

• Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the capers, basil and oregano.
• Pour the tomato mixture over the feta cheese.
• Pop under the broiler for 8-10 minutes. Watch it carefully around the 8 minute mark. Broilers vary widely!
• Serve warm with pita chips or crostini for dipping.

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