Spicy Baked Feta Greek Style (Print Version)

Golden feta baked with vibrant vegetables and aromatic herbs for a warm, flavorful starter.

# What You Need:

→ Dairy

01 - 7 oz block feta cheese

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium ripe tomato, diced
03 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 1 small red bell pepper, sliced
05 - 1 fresh chili pepper, finely sliced (or 1 tsp red chili flakes)

→ Pantry

06 - 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
07 - 1 tsp dried oregano
08 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
09 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Optional Garnish

10 - Fresh parsley, chopped
11 - Lemon wedges

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - Place the feta block in the center of a small ovenproof baking dish.
03 - Scatter the diced tomato, sliced onion, bell pepper, and chili (or chili flakes) around and over the feta.
04 - Drizzle everything with olive oil. Sprinkle with oregano, smoked paprika, and black pepper.
05 - Bake uncovered for 18-20 minutes, until the feta is golden at the edges and the vegetables are tender.
06 - Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The feta gets impossibly creamy while still holding its shape, creating this luxurious texture that spreads like warm butter onto crusty bread
  • It comes together in five minutes of prep time but looks impressive enough for company
  • The spicy heat cuts through the rich cheese perfectly, making each bite addictive
02 -
  • Do not use pre-crumbled feta because it will dry out in the oven instead of becoming that luscious, spreadable texture we want
  • The resting period after baking is crucial because it lets the flavors settle and makes it safer to handle when you are eager to dig in
  • Your baking dish should be small enough that the ingredients are somewhat crowded, which helps create those delicious pan juices
03 -
  • Take the feta out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before baking so it cooks more evenly and stays creamy throughout
  • If your oven runs hot, check at 15 minutes because once those edges start browning, they can go from perfect to burnt quickly

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