What is feta cheese?
Feta is a soft Greek cheese made from milk and butter. It is generally made with cow's milk and is usually eaten as a snack or on salads. Feta is used in Greek cuisine as well as many other cuisines around the world.
It has a distinct flavor that some people love, and others hate- but everyone agrees that it's delicious. Feta is a fantastic addition to any meal as it can be used with uncooked meals, sweet dishes, and can be used as an alternative to mozzarella cheese as a tasteful addition to pizza.
Is feta cheese healthy?
Yes, feta cheese is healthy as it contains a variety of micronutrients such as zinc, calcium and vitamin B which are an important asset to a healthy body, but just like anything in the world, it could have a counter effect if you don’t consume it in moderation.
Just like any dairy product, feta cheese is great for promoting bone health as it is rich in calcium, it also promotes the development of healthy and strong teeth in children. Consuming feta cheese can be a fantastic way to avoid developing bone diseases.
Feta cheese contains probiotic. Probiotics are a combination of healthy bacteria that help maintain gut and oral healthy by balancing out the bad and harmful bacteria. This in turn help promote a healthy immune system and keeps you from catching infections.
Protein and calcium are abundant in feta, which lead to the conclusion that feta cheese can help control your body's blood sugar levels, lowering your risk of developing diabetes and helping to manage existing blood sugar-related conditions.
Feta cheese recipes
Now that we’ve sold you on feta cheese, we won’t leave you hanging. We will show you a few recipes so you can create tasty meals using the amazing feta cheese.
Middle Eastern Spiced Lamb Burgers with Feta and Labneh Recipe
This recipe combines western and eastern ingredients to make a tasty dish that everyone can agree on, because who doesn’t like burgers? This recipe is easy to make and only takes 25 minutes to prepare, so tune down below on how you can make this dish from the comfort of your home.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground lamb
- 1 small, diced onion
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Salt, according to preference
- Ground pepper
- ¼ cup labneh
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- Baby spinach for garnish
- 4 seeded buns
Instructions
- Combine the ground lamb, diced onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground cinnamon, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Combine all ingredients and shape into four individual patties.
- If you're cooking indoors, preheat your grill or a grill pan. Place the burgers on the grill for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for another 4 minutes. This will result in a medium-rare burger with an internal temperature of approximately 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook for another minute or two if you like your burgers well done.
- Toast or grill the buns until lightly golden brown, then spread about a tablespoon of labneh on each bottom half. Place a cooked burger on top of the labneh, then top with your favorite lettuce or greens and crumbled feta cheese. Serve hot, topped with the remaining half of the bun.
Greek salad recipe
This recipe is filled with nutrients and healthy ingredients that are needed by the body, not to mention that you don’t need to cook it, which makes it a great meal if you don’t have enough time on your hand to cook. The feta cheese adds a savory taste and a strong appealing aroma to the salad. Tune in below to know how you can make this recipe.
Ingredients
- ½ small, sliced red onion
- 2 large ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped
- ½ cucumber, deseeded and roughly chopped
- 100g/3½oz feta cheese, cut into cubes
- 50g/1¾oz black olives, pitted and drained
- small handful fresh mint leaves
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 whole meal pitta breads, warmed
Instructions
- Season the onion, tomatoes, and cucumber in a mixing bowl.
- Top with the feta, olives, and mint leaves. Toss in the oregano until evenly distributed. Drizzle the oil and lemon juice over the top and serve with warmed pita bread.
Greek fries recipe
If you are looking for a delicious and fun way to serve your French fries at a family gathering or even if you need a snack, then this recipe is for you. In the recipe fries are mixed with the delightful taste of feta cheese.
Ingredients
- 5 potatoes, cut into strips
- 150g feta cheese (5 oz.)
- ½ red onion, chopped
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- chopped parsley for garnish
- salt
- olive oil
- vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Start by washing and peeling the potatoes before cutting them into strips. To begin, cut the potatoes lengthwise into 1/2 cm (1/4 inch) slices and then into strips. Place the potatoes in a large bowl with plenty of water to cover them.
- It's time to make a choice. Greek fries can be baked or fried (for a healthier version).
- If you choose to bake your Greek fries, then layer a large baking tray with parchment paper and pour in 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil. Place the tray in the oven and preheat at 200C.
- When the oven is fully hot, drain and dry the potatoes, then take the baking sheet out. Salt and dried oregano should be added after placing the potatoes on the baking pan. Place the potatoes on the baking sheet in a uniform layer after tossing them around to coat them in oil (and adding more if required).
- Depending on size, bake the potatoes for 45 to 1 hour, or until they are crisp and golden.
- Use crumbled feta cheese, sliced red onions, and chopped tomatoes as the topping for the Greek fries. Add a little lemon juice and some parsley that has been chopped to the mixture.
If you are interested in trying out these recipes, then you should head Nahda store for premium quality feta cheese.