Among the many kinds of cheese found in Greece the traditional sheep’s milk, feta cheese, is a staple. This snowy-white, salty Greek feta cheese is the base for our Feta Cream Salad Dressing and Dip
We love this thick, creamy mixture that is so versatile. Initially, we created this as a salad dressing, but it was so delicious we have expanded its application abilities.
What is feta cheese?
Greece’s traditional feta cheese is made with sheep’s milk, goat’s milk or a combination of the two, although it can also be made from cows’ milk.
Greek feta cheese is a regional product and will differ in firmness, flavor, and texture within the regions. Feta is usually sold in blocks or containers of crumbles. The firm texture is creamy with a salty, tangy taste. Actually, the salty taste is derived from the salt brine solution and the texture will become drier and more dense the longer it is left to brine.
Feta cheese is nearly always included in a Mediterranean mezze platter. Meze is what we Americans would call appetizers. However, you can also serve meze as an entire meal.
How to make the Feta Cream Salad Dressing and Dip:
This is so easy! You just add all of the ingredients to a food processor and pulse/process until smooth. The consistency can be adjusted according to what you plan to use it for. There are so many uses for this feta cream salad dressing and dip it defies imagination. Here are some suggestions:
- Salad dressing
- Dip for vegetables and pita bread
- Slathered on as the base of a pizza
- Spread on toast as a bruschetta
- Mixed with cooked vegetables
- Stirred into pasta
- Use in place of mayonnaise for sandwiches
Have you ever tried the art of cheesemaking?
Making feta cheese is not a difficult task. A few years ago, Dahn and I took a cheesemaking class and spent the day learning some basics of this old-time craft. We enjoyed a fun experience on a goat and sheep farm near us on the Olympic Peninsula. We both brought home our own homemade DIY product of tangy feta cheese. The creamy cheese was made with a combination of sheep and goat milk.
You can learn how to make feta cheese yourself. Check the local community resources in your area as they may offer classes on cheesemaking. There are numerous books available in bookstores and online that will teach you how to craft this art right in your kitchen. It isn’t necessary to limit the milk from just sheep or goats as cow’s milk can also be used.
A cheese making kit or hands-on class would also be a great gift idea. 🙂
Check out these Mediterranean appetizers:
Feta Cream Salad Dressing and Dip
Ingredients
- 8 oz. feta cheese crumbled
- 4 oz. cream cheese
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic grated
- zest of 1/2 lemon
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves optional
Instructions
- Add the ingredients to a food processor and process until smooth.
- This will be a thick mixture that can be thinned to desired consistency by adding additional sour cream or milk to serve as desired.
Nutrition
John / Kitchen Riffs
Wednesday 23rd of May 2018
Feta is good stuff -- love its flavor. I've never made my own -- I should, because I know it's not hard. Anyway, this dip is wonderful! Full of flavors I love. This is a winner -- thanks.
Pat
Thursday 24th of May 2018
Thank you, John :)