LAST-MINUTE GREEK FETA FAVORITES TO PLEASE A CROWD

Let Classic Greek Feta Cheese Transform Thanksgiving and Beyond

There is a lot of confusion these days when it comes to feta, or at least what we Greeks know to be real, authentic Greek feta. Greek feta is a PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) cheese made, by law, from sheep’s milk or a combination of sheep’s and goat’s milk (in up to a 70/30 ration, again, by law). PDO Feta—the real thing, in other words—is never made with cow’s milk. It is made only in specific regions of Greece.

While I won’t get into the regional distinctions here, I can talk about how versatile is this delicious, robust cheese. Feta is a great table cheese on its own, served plain or garnished with dried herbs (typically dried Greek oregano) and a drizzling of really good Greek olive oil. It’s a welcome addition in many seasonal salads, most notably the famed Greek Village Salad, aka Horiatiki. But it’s also a great backdrop for all sorts of dips, whips up well in a food processor and absorbs olive oil beautifully. The two combined make for a smart, creamy, rich, flavorful base for countless additions. And, of course, because of its vibrant flavor, it’s perfect in stuffings of all kind.

Here are a few of my favorite easy dishes with feta, and they provide a last-minute range of options for quick Thanksgiving starters and dips.

It goes without say…it doesn’t need to be Thanksgiving to be enjoy feta or these recipes!

Another favorite go-to hors d’oeuvre or starter are these wonderful beets stuffed with feta.  They make a beautiful appetizer, that’s both elegant and easy.

And, finally, all you really need is to whip up sone feta and set it forth on a tray with crudite or pita chips, and voila, you’ve got an instant crowd pleaser!