Description
This Baked Feta with Olives recipe is a savory and aromatic appetizer featuring creamy feta cheese baked alongside juicy cherry tomatoes, a mix of green and black olives, and roasted garlic. Enhanced with olive oil and red pepper flakes, this dish bursts with Mediterranean flavors and is perfect for serving warm with crackers or crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 6-ounce block of feta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups olives (mix of green and black)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 4 garlic cloves, skins left on
Seasonings & Toppings
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for baking the feta and vegetables evenly.
- Assemble Ingredients: Place the block of feta cheese in a baking dish. Surround the cheese with the cherry tomatoes and a mixture of green and black olives. Nestle the garlic cloves with their skins still on around the edges of the dish.
- Add Seasonings and Oil: Drizzle the olive oil over the entire dish. Sprinkle the kosher salt, ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes evenly on top to season the ingredients and add a bit of heat.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cherry tomatoes have softened and started to burst, releasing their juices and melding with the feta.
- Prepare Garlic: Remove the baking dish from the oven and carefully take out the garlic cloves. Squeeze the softened garlic out of their skins and roughly chop the garlic before returning it to the dish, mixing it gently with the other ingredients.
- Finish and Serve: Stir all ingredients together gently to combine the flavors. Top with freshly chopped basil. Serve immediately while warm with crackers or crusty bread for dipping and spreading.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase the red pepper flakes according to your taste.
- You can use other fresh herbs like thyme or oregano as alternatives to basil.
- Serve as an appetizer or alongside a fresh salad for a light meal.
- Use a small shallow baking dish or oven-safe skillet for even cooking.
- If you prefer, substitute regular salt for kosher salt, adjusting quantity accordingly.
