Discover the vibrant flavours of Greek cuisine with this irresistible Baked Feta Recipe with Tomatoes and Olive Oil. Slow-cooked in the oven, the warm and melted feta, roasted garlic, and fresh oregano create a flavourful dish that celebrates the essence of Greece. This is a great appetizer to add to your next meal.
Falling in Love with Greek Cuisine
It is said that Greece has the world’s healthiest diet, with parts being in the Blue Zone, and a delicious one at that. On a recent trip to Greece, I was introduced to the wonders of Greek cuisine and this baked feta recipe. Popular worldwide, and for good reason. The use of fresh herbs like Greek oregano, thyme, and rosemary, with spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg (influences from the East), cooked in copious amounts of olive, garlic, and lemon, created dishes that were simply irresistible. It seemed that every meal was better than the last.
Previously, I had only limited experience with Greek cuisine, a few restaurants in Cape Town, and one in Rotterdam that I often frequent, but it was only traveling in Greece that I came to understand the width and complexity of the cuisine. My specific trip was to Athens and some of the Cycladic Islands: Paros, Naxos, and Santorini. We dined on the freshest seafood alongside a variety of small plates at every meal. One of the small plates that were on just about every menu was a Baked Feta in Tomato and Olive Oil. Of course, we all know the TikTok famous baked feta pasta, but this is a paired-down version of that and eaten as an appetizer or side dish as opposed to the main meal.
The Essentials for a Flavourful Dish
The key ingredient here is Greek feta, but prepares in a way that I had never tasted before, with a super simple list of ingredients, the salient ingredient here is time. This dish needs to be cooked low and slow, for about 45 minutes to allow all the tomatoes and onion to caramelize and darken around the feta, whilst the feta stays intact but starts to break and blacken down with the heat. Greek oregano is the sole herb in this dish, but feel free to use a mix of hardy-dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, and even sage.
Bringing Greece into Your Kitchen with this Baked Feta Recipe
I made this small plate as a side along with roast chicken and roast potatoes so it went into the oven alongside these elements. This meant that I could put everything in the oven together, cutting down on the overall cooking time of the meal. To start I grabbed a bowl that could fit an entire block of sliced feta, with some space around the sides. I thinly sliced half a white onion and 250g cherry tomatoes. To top all you need is oregano, olive oil, garlic, and salt.
For the best results, slice the tomatoes in half and stack the onion and tomatoes underneath the feta, this gives a good visual appeal as it comes out of the oven and allows the top of the feta to darken.
Serving Suggestions: Pairing and Presentation Ideas
This baked feta recipe is super versatile and can be paired with a vegetarian dinner, meat, or fish. Its simplicity of flavours means that it won’t overpower the rest of the meal, but rather complement it. This is great to serve alongside fresh bread, like a baguette, as the roasting releases the juices from the tomato and onion, and with the olive oil, it’s perfectly soaked by a bit of starch.
A Taste of Greece in Every Bite
This baked feta appetizer is an easy and delicious way to introduce new Greek dishes into your meal. Sharing this with friends recently, we delighted in the texture of the baked feta, warm and slightly melted on the inside and toasted on the outside. The roasted garlic and vegetables made a flavourful sauce and the oregano gave it a fresh herbiness.
Celebrating Community Through the Love of Food
Food is a cornerstone of Greek hospitality and community and even as a tourist, you are invited into this world. Culinary rituals and the celebration of food and community through eating together and shared plates bring people together. Recipes are passed down through generations, preserving traditions of simple farm-to-table ingredients that create meals that are authentic and full of vibrant flavour. The use of seasonal produce means that every single ingredient on the plate has the optimal taste and could stand on its own. Try this baked feta recipe during your next dinner and experience the flavours and essence of Greece without leaving your home.
Baked Feta Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 200 g Greek Feta
- 250 g cherry tomatoes halved
- half small white onion
- 1 tsp garlic minced
- ¼ tsp oregano
- 1 squeeze lemon
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Turn the oven to 180 degrees Celcius/350 degrees Farenheit and add the tomatoes and onion to an oven-safe bowl that can fit the entire block of feta in it, laying flat, with some space around it. Coat with a tablespoon of olive oil and salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Spread the tomatoes and onion flat and lay the block of feta on top. Spread the garlic over the feta, sprinkle the oregano on top, and add the rest of the olive oil evenly over the feta.
- Put the dish into the oven for 40 minutes or until the tomatoes and onions are fully softened and the feta has browned.
- Remove from the oven once it's cooked and top with a squeeze of lemon. Serve immediately.
This would be perfect to serve alongside this delicious Mussel Risotto with Tomato Recipe!
[…] Try this along with other sides like this Greek Baked Feta with Tomatoes and Olive Oil. […]