Char’s Whipped Feta with Chili Oil & Pickled Onions

I’m a few summers late to the ‘whipped ricotta’ trend (if you know me personally, you know I’m a few years late (if not longer) to any trend..haha!!).

So, I figured it was finally time I put my own spin (pun intended, as you need your food processor for this recipe) on this dip, and use crumbled feta instead of ricotta, and let me tell you…

it was soooo worth the wait!!

This creamy dip/spread is a great excuse to use up any leftover fresh herbs you have on hand. In the recipe I use: parsley and mint (plus green onions), but, dill, basil and chives would be delicious too.

If you’re not a fan of feta, soft goat cheese makes a great substitute.

Ingredients

• 200 g feta cheese (about 1 ½ cups (375 mL) crumbled feta
• ¾ cup (175 mL) plain Greek style yogurt (I like full fat) note: I like this dip fairly thick, if you prefer a thinner dip/spread add an additional 1/4 cup (60 mL) yogurt.
• ¼ cup (60 mL) each of roughly chopped fresh mint, chopped fresh parsley and chopped green onion
• ½ tsp (2 mL) each of garlic powder and onion powder
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil
• zest of ½ lime

Garnish

• 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
• ½ tsp (2 mL) chili powder (or chipotle powder)
• pinch chili flakes (optional)
• ⅓ cup (75 mL) Char’s Pickled Onions, diced (click here for my pickled onion recipe)
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) approx chopped fresh parsley or mint

Directions

1. Place feta in bowl of food processor fitted with a metal blade. Pulse until well crumbled.
2. Add remaining ingredients and pulse until well combined and smooth. It will likely take quite a few pulses. Be sure to scrape down sides of bowl when needed.
3. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve (up to 3 days). Stir well before serving.
4. When ready to serve, slather whipped feta mixture on a serving platter (fits perfectly on a dinner plate btw). Mix together olive oil, chili powder and chili flakes. Drizzle evenly over feta mixture (I like to drizzle in round circles) and sprinkle evenly with diced pickled onions and chopped fresh parsley. Serve with crackers, pita wedges and/or veggie sticks.
5. Makes about 1 ¾ cup (425 mL).

Delicious & Doable Tips:

~ slather whipped feta on a burger off the grill (especially good on lamb burgers).
~ use whipped feta as a bed for grilled summer vegetables or roasted sweet potatoes. Simply slather on a serving dish/platter and top with warm veg = summertime eating done right!