All You Need to Know about Feta Cheese

Summer is just around the corner, and for many lovers of Mediterranean cuisine, summer means “feta here, feta there”… At Paroles de Fromagers, we’re keen to help you discover the history of cheeses, and today it’s the turn of feta, the famous sheep’s milk cheese!

To find out all you need to know about feta, read on! 

What exactly is feta cheese?

Feta is a fresh, salty, strong-tasting white cheese from Greece. Its history dates back to antiquity, when it was made mainly from goat’s milk or a mixture of goat’s and sheep’s milk. Traditionally, feta was made in wooden barrels or woven baskets, where it was preserved in its brine to give it its characteristic taste and creamy texture. Today, feta is one of the most emblematic cheeses of Mediterranean cuisine, and is widely appreciated around the world for its distinctive flavor and culinary versatility.

Is feta normally cow or goat?

Goat or sheep, definitely.

What does feta taste like?

Is feta the healthiest cheese?

In terms of calorie content, feta is relatively low in calories compared to some other cheeses. A typical portion of feta (around 28 grams) usually contains between 70 and 80 calories. However, as with any food, portion size and frequency of consumption are important in controlling overall calorie intake. We can’t say it is the healthiest cheese, because some cheeses are lower in fat (please check here to know more) but it is a healthy cheese anyway.

Is feta cheese higher in calories than mozzarella?

Now, regarding the comparison between feta and mozzarella in terms of calorie content, mozzarella is generally a little higher in calories than feta. A similar portion of mozzarella (approximately 28 grams) contains on average between 80 and 90 calories. However, mozzarella cheese is also an excellent source of protein and calcium, making it a healthy choice when eaten in moderation. Don’t deprive yourself 😉

Our top tips for serving and enjoying feta cheese

Let’s move on to our top tips for serving feta. Feta’s versatility makes it a great addition to many recipes and a delicious topping option for many dishes. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Crumble it over a fresh salad to add a touch of savory flavor.
2. Incorporate into omelets or quiches for a creamy texture and robust taste.
3. Use as a topping for pizzas, pastas or grilled vegetable dishes to add a Mediterranean touch.
4. Mix it with fresh herbs like parsley or mint to create a tasty dip to accompany crunchy vegetables or pita bread.

Our 10 best recipes with feta (made in Paroles de Fromagers)

Finally, let’s explore our top 5 original recipes featuring feta cheese:

1. Tomato and feta tart

A crispy crust topped with juicy tomato slices and crumbled feta, all baked until the cheese melts and turns golden. Here’s the recipe:

Preheat the oven to 200°C.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

• Unroll the shortcrust pastry in a tart tin and prick the base with a fork.
• Arrange the tomato slices on the pastry and sprinkle with the crumbled feta.
• Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with fresh herbs, salt and pepper.
• Place the tart in the oven for 25-30 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
• Leave to cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.

2. Chicken and vegetable skewers with feta cheese

A marvel for summer… Chunks of marinated chicken, alternated with colorful vegetables, grilled and served with a feta sauce made from Greek yogurt, crushed feta and fresh herbs.

Ingredients:

• 400 g chicken breasts, cubed
• Vegetables of your choice (peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, onions), cut into pieces
• 200 g feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• Fresh herbs (mint, parsley), chopped
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

 Instructions:

• Preheat the grill to medium-high.
• Thread pieces of chicken and vegetables onto skewers, alternating them with each other.
• Season skewers with salt, pepper and fresh herbs.
• Grill the skewers for 10-12 minutes, turning regularly, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
• Meanwhile, mix the crumbled feta with the Greek yogurt and fresh herbs to prepare the sauce.

Serve the skewers hot, with the feta sauce on the side for dipping.

3. Mediterranean couscous salad

Here’s a recipe to take you on a journey… A mix of fragrant couscous, crunchy cucumbers, sweet cherry tomatoes, red onions, kalamata olives and crumbled feta, all dressed with a lemon juice and olive oil vinaigrette.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked and cooled couscous
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup red onions, chopped
• 1/4 cup kalamata olives, pitted
• 100g feta cheese, crumbled
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Fresh herbs (mint, parsley), chopped
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

• In a large salad bowl, mix the cooked couscous, diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onions and kalamata olives.
• Add the crumbled feta and fresh herbs, then season with lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.
• Toss gently to coat all dressing ingredients.
• Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving, to allow the flavours to mingle.
• Just before serving, adjust seasoning if necessary and garnish with additional fresh herb leaves.

4. Pasta with feta and spinach

Pasta with feta and spinach: pasta cooked al dente mixed with fresh spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted garlic and crumbled feta, topped with grated Parmesan. Mamma Mia! yum… 😋

 Ingredients :

• 250g pasta (of your choice), cooked al dente
• 200g fresh spinach
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 100g sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 150g feta cheese, crumbled
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

 Instructions:

• In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for one minute.
• Add the fresh spinach to the pan and cook until it begins to wilt.
• Add the sun-dried tomatoes and cooked pasta to the pan, then mix well to combine.
• Add the crumbled feta and lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Stir gently until the feta is slightly melted and all ingredients are heated through.

Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan and fresh herb leaves if desired.

5. Grilled feta cheese dip with red bell pepper

Roasted, peeled red peppers mixed with crumbled feta, roasted garlic, lemon juice and fresh herbs, served with crunchy vegetables or toasted pita bread.

Ingredients:

• 2 red peppers, roasted, peeled and seeded
• 200g feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 garlic cloves, roasted
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Fresh herbs

Instructions:

• Season with salt and pepper to taste, then refrigerate the dip for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to develop.
• Serve the red bell pepper grilled feta dip with crunchy vegetables, toasted pita bread sticks or pita chips for dipping.
• For an elegant presentation, you can garnish the dip with a drizzle of extra olive oil and a few sprigs of fresh herbs just before serving.

This dip can also be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge for a few days. Before serving, let it brown at room temperature for about 15 minutes for optimum texture.

Not only are these recipes delicious, they also highlight the versatility and richness of feta in Mediterranean cuisine. Bon appétit!