Grilled Feta Cheese Appetizer Recipes

MARINATED FETA THREE WAYS

Steps:

• For each of the above combinations, place all ingredients except for the feta in a small saucepan and gently heat over medium low just until tiny bubbles begin to form, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Once the infused olive oil is cool, transfer half of the aromatics from the saucepan to a 16-ounce Mason jar followed by half of the feta. Repeat layering and then carefully pour the infused olive oil into the jar. Gently press the feta down if needed to ensure it is fully submerged and seal the jar with its lid (see Cook's Note). Place the jar in the refrigerator and allow the feta to marinate for at least 12 hours and up to 5 days.
• Remove the jar from refrigerator at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the solidified olive oil to liquify.

GRILLED FETA CHEESE APPETIZER

Steps:

• Oil a 14 inch long piece of heavy duty aluminum foil.
• Place onion slices in center of French Bread slices on the foil.
• Slice Feta into 24 pieces, place on top of onions and sprinkle with garlic.
• Add bell peppers and sprinkle with oregano and black pepper.
• Fold up foil and seal edges.
• Grill covered 30 minutes turning once or bake at 350°F.

GRILLED FETA WRAPPED IN GRAPE LEAVES

Steps:

• Whisk the olive oil, lemon zest, garlic, za'atar and Aleppo pepper in a shallow bowl or small baking dish. Add the feta and spoon the oil over the top. Set aside to marinate 1 hour.
• While the cheese marinates, place the grape leaves in a bowl of room-temperature water and let soak.
• Line a small baking sheet with paper towels. Drain the grape leaves and lay in a single layer on the towels; pat very dry. On a clean surface, overlap the grape leaves slightly to form a square. Place the block of feta in the center (reserve the flavored oil), then fold the grape leaves to cover the cheese like a present.
• Preheat a grill to medium high and prepare for indirect grilling: On a charcoal grill, bank the coals to one side; on a gas grill, turn off half the burners. Toast the pita over direct heat, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Brush the outside of the wrapped feta with some of the reserved oil and place on the cooler side of the grill (indirect heat). Cook until the grape leaves are crisp and slightly charred, 4 to 5 minutes. Flip and move to direct heat; grill until lightly charred on the second side and the cheese is warmed through, about 3 more minutes. Transfer to a board or platter and serve with the pita, olives, walnuts and/or apricots, plus any remaining flavored oil.

GRILLED FETA WITH NUTS

Steps:

• Heat the grill to medium-high. Lightly grease the bottom of a small or medium cast-iron skillet with extra-virgin olive oil.
• Place the block of feta in the center of the skillet, then scatter the nuts around the feta. Drizzle the feta and nuts with the 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus the honey and thyme. Season generously with black pepper.
• Place the skillet on the grates, cover the grill, and cook until the feta is soft to the touch and nuts are warm, 8 to 10 minutes. Serve right away with bread or stone fruit, or both.

FETA CHEESE APPETIZERS

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• In a medium skillet cook onion and garlic in olive oil and sesame oil over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes or until onion is tender.
• Remove from heat.
• Add cream cheese and feta cheese; stir until mixture is nearly smooth.
• Stir in olives, sweet peppers, and dillweed. Set aside.
• Using a long serrated knife, split pita rounds in half horizontally to form two circles.
• Place, cut side up, on a large ungreased baking sheet.
• Broil 3 inches from heat for 1 minute or until pita rounds are lightly toasted.
• Spread each pita round with about 1/3 cup of the cheese mixture.
• Broil about 1 minute more or until hot.
• To serve, use a sharp knife or kitchen scissors to cut each round into 6 wedges.

CREAMY WHIPPED FETA

Steps:

• Combine feta cheese, Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon zest, and black pepper in a food processor. Pulse several times to combine. With motor running, slowly drizzle in 2 tablespoons olive oil until dip is smooth and creamy, approximately 1 minute, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Transfer mixture to a bowl or onto a plate and top with sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, and parsley. Drizzle with remaining olive oil and serve.