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What Are the Different Types of Feta Dipping Sauce?
The softness and creamy texture of feta cheese makes it easy to blend into a smooth sauce. Ingredients like sour cream and Greek yogurt may be combined with the feta, after it has been processed, to dilute the cheese's strong flavor and improve consistency. Other ingredients including lemon, mint, dill, garlic, and salt may be used into a recipe to complement the sharp, tangy taste of the cheese. Feta dipping sauce can be served with chips, crackers, or slices of pita bread. Sometimes creamy, feta-based sauces are served with meat or kabobs.
Feta cheese is traditionally made with sheep's milk, but it can also be made from goat's milk. It is salted and aged in whey or water-based brine. When it dries, it takes on a crumbly, grainy texture but it is also creamy and soft due to the high fat content of sheep's or goat's milk. The base for most types of feta dipping sauce is made by pureeing or blending the crumbled cheese.
In some recipes, the processed feta composes the sauce without any addition of cream or yogurt. Since feta cheese is naturally sharp, only small amounts of ingredients such as lemon, salt, or pepper may be used to enhance the taste. This type of sauce is thick, with a strong flavor. It is often served with crackers or pita bread.
Feta dipping sauce takes on a thinner, smoother consistency when the cheese is pureed or blended along with other wet ingredients like sour cream or plain yogurt. The added ingredients also reduce the sharpness of the cheese. Flavorings such as garlic, mint or dill may also be added to alter the taste, based on how the sauce is being served. Some recipes call for diced cucumber or tomato to be mixed into the dip.
Sauces made with feta may be served warm, but they are most often chilled or served at room temperature. Warm feta appetizers are often made by combining feta crumbles with other ingredients in a baking dish or slow cooker, and cooking until melted. Some variations of chilled feta dipping sauce involve layering crumbled feta with hummus, diced cucumbers, diced tomatoes, and chopped onions. These are served with chips or crackers, and are considered a Greek variation of layered Mexican taco dip. Dipping sauce meant to be served with meat is traditionally chilled, as it is intended to offset the heat of the cooked beef, lamb, or pork.
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![A bowl of sour cream, which can be used to make feta dipping sauce.]()
A bowl of sour cream, which can be used to make feta dipping sauce. -
![Mint is often used in feta dipping sauce.]()
By: margo555Mint is often used in feta dipping sauce. -
![Pita bread is often served with feta dipping sauce.]()
By: vetassterPita bread is often served with feta dipping sauce.
Discussion Comments
@fBoyle, @ankara-- It sounds like you both like your feta dips very creamy. I personally like mine chunky, almost like a salad.
I just chop veggies, usually tomatoes and peppers, add crumbled or chopped feta, olive oil and seasoning. I love having this with crackers or baguettes. I've also made this with cooked spinach and it turned out equally delicious. The best part about it is that it takes five minutes to make. So if you have unexpected guests or decide to take an appetizer to a party, it's perfect!
I think a feta dip like this is also one of the healthiest snacks out there. Especially when you include fresh veggies in it. Now I know why people in the Mediterranean live long, healthy lives!
@fBoyle-- Your post inspired me to add feta cheese in my tzatziki sauce for shish kabobs. I think you'll be happy to know that it came out really good! Thanks for the inspiration!
I had made feta dips before but they were very cheesy dips made with feta, cream cheese or farmer's cheese, grilled red peppers and garlic. This dip is good too but sometimes it's way too heavy. Mixing feta cheese with sour cream or plain yogurt is a better idea. It makes the dip lighter. And I feel less guilty having it too. Using fat free feta makes a difference as well.
Creamy feta dip is so good! It's the best dip for veggies. I usually have vegetables with ranch dressing, but feta ranch dressing is even better. Plus it has the extra protein from the feta cheese.
I basically follow a homemade ranch dressing recipe to make it, except that I also put crumbled feta cheese in it while it's in the food processor. The main ingredients are sour cream, feta cheese and a little bit of buttermilk. Then I add the lemon juice and spices and process it one last time.
If any of you like ranch and feta, you have to try this dip. Also try it as a sauce in sandwiches. It's especially good with gyros, in place of tzatziki sauce.
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