Zesty Spicy Feta Spread
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with this Zesty Spicy Feta Spread. This smooth and creamy dip, made with luxurious feta cheese and fresh vegetables, delivers a delightful kick of heat from cherry peppers and cayenne pepper. Perfect for slathering on warm pita bread, crisp lavash or dressing up grilled chicken, it also makes a great addition to fresh vegetable platters. Whether for a casual snack, a party appetizer, or a flavorful dip at your next gathering, this versatile spread is sure to impress and tantalize your taste buds!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Feta cheese
1/2 cup (crumbled)
Olive oil
1/3 cup (none)
Campari tomatoes
1 (chopped)
Cherry peppers
2 (seeded and chopped)
English cucumber
2 inches (peeled and diced)
Lemon juice
1 teaspoon (freshly squeezed)
Cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Cilantro
1 tablespoon (chopped)
Salt
to taste (none)
Black pepper
to taste (none)
Onion powder
to taste (none)
Instructions
1
Start by chopping the campari tomatoes into smaller pieces to help them blend more easily.
2
In a blender, combine the feta cheese, olive oil, chopped campari tomatoes, cherry peppers, cucumber, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, cilantro, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
3
Blend the ingredients on high until the mixture is smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape the sides of the blender as needed.
4
Taste the dip and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or onion powder as desired.
5
If the spread is too thin for your liking, blend in additional feta cheese until you achieve your desired thickness.
6
If you prefer a spicier kick, gradually add more cayenne pepper and blend until well combined.
7
Transfer the Zesty Spicy Feta Spread to a serving bowl and serve immediately, or refrigerate for an hour to allow the flavors to meld.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Spicy Feta Spread?
It is a smooth and creamy Mediterranean dip made with feta cheese, fresh vegetables, and a kick of heat from cherry peppers and cayenne.
What are the main ingredients?
The main ingredients include feta cheese, olive oil, campari tomatoes, cherry peppers, English cucumber, lemon juice, and various spices.
How do I prepare the tomatoes for the dip?
You should chop the campari tomatoes into smaller pieces to help them blend more easily.
What type of cucumber should I use?
The recipe calls for 2 inches of English cucumber, peeled and diced.
How many cherry peppers are needed?
You will need 2 cherry peppers, which should be seeded and chopped.
How do I achieve a smooth consistency?
Combine all ingredients in a blender and process on high, stopping to scrape the sides as needed until creamy.
What if the spread is too thin?
If the spread is too thin, you can blend in additional feta cheese until you reach your desired thickness.
How can I make the spread spicier?
Gradually add more cayenne pepper and blend until the desired heat level is achieved.
How should I adjust the seasoning?
Taste the dip after blending and add more salt, pepper, or onion powder according to your preference.
How long should I refrigerate the spread before serving?
You can serve it immediately or refrigerate it for one hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
What are good serving suggestions for this dip?
It is great with warm pita bread, crisp lavash, grilled chicken, or fresh vegetable platters.
Is this recipe suitable for parties?
Yes, it is an excellent choice for a party appetizer or a flavorful dip at any gathering.
Can I use fresh lemon juice?
Yes, the recipe specifically recommends 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Does this recipe use garlic?
Yes, it uses 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder for seasoning.
How much olive oil is required?
The recipe requires 1/3 cup of olive oil.
What herb is included in the spread?
One tablespoon of chopped cilantro is used in the mixture.
Is there a vegan option for this recipe?
While it uses traditional feta, the tags suggest it can be adapted as a vegan option by using plant-based feta.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 12 ingredients in this recipe.
What kind of pepper provides the heat?
The heat comes from both chopped cherry peppers and cayenne pepper.
Is onion powder used in this recipe?
Yes, onion powder is used to taste to help adjust the seasoning.
Can I serve this as a healthy snack?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy snack option due to its fresh vegetable and feta content.
What should I do if the ingredients aren't blending?
Make sure the tomatoes and cucumbers are chopped small enough and stop to scrape down the sides of the blender.
Is this a Mediterranean style recipe?
Yes, it is designed with vibrant Mediterranean flavors.
Can I use this as a condiment?
Yes, it works beautifully for dressing up grilled chicken or as a spread for bread.
How much feta cheese is needed?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese.
How much cayenne pepper is suggested?
The recipe starts with 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
Do I need to peel the cucumber?
Yes, the instructions specify the English cucumber should be peeled and diced.
Is this dip served hot or cold?
This dip is typically served cold or at room temperature.
Can I use dried cilantro instead of fresh?
The recipe calls for chopped cilantro, but fresh is generally preferred for the best flavor in this dip.
What type of tomatoes are best?
The recipe recommends using Campari tomatoes for their specific flavor and size.