Creamy Feta Dip.
I know what you’re thinking.
Boring title.
A bowl of white cheese.
Somewhat plain.
Kind of a snoozefest.
How crazy can this really be?
I was skeptical too. Trust me.
I didn’t make this recipe up. My cousin Lacy did. See… a restaurants in DC makes this stuff and calls it crazy feta. She was a huge fan. Then they started selling it at Whole Foods for an arm and a leg. And since she really likes her limbs, she checked out the ingredients and decided to try and make it herself. Best decision ever.
She first told me about it on one of our walks about a week before we headed to the beach. It sounded good. It didn’t knock my socks off, but I kept it in mind. I don’t love jalapenos, lemon or feta, let alone love it together. Then she talked about it more at the beach. And each time I got a little more intrigued.
By Sunday, it was the only thing on my mind. Monday morning I rushed to the grocery store to buy bricked feta, jalapenos and lemons. Because that is exactly where my priorities lie after a week away. Don’t even act like yours lie somewhere else.
I don’t even know where to start.
This is quite possible one of the best things I have ever tasted. The flavors – tangy feta, spicy jalapenos, bright lemon, caramely garlic – combine to create this delicious explosion of something or other in your mouth. It’s perfect. It has a little bite. It’s madly addicting. It’s fabulous on pita chips. Even better on warm bread. Can you even picture it? Fluffy, warm pita spread with crazy feta.
If that doesn’t sell you, I don’t know what will. You gotta promise me you’ll try this. Pleeeeeeeeease.
Creamy Feta Dip with Jalapenos
Ingredients
- 2 bricks of feta cheese, (8 ounces) each
- 3 whole jalapeno peppers
- 1/4 cup olive oil + 1 tablespoon
- 1 bulb garlic
- the juice of half a lemon
- the zest of half a lemon
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Chop the top off the garlic bulb and drizzle it with a teaspoon of olive oil. Wrap it in foil and roast for 25-30 minutes, or until garlic is golden in color. At the same time, brush the jalapenos with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Either grill or roast them – I stuck them in the oven with garlic and just watched until they were charred. Remove both from oven and let cool. Once jalapenos are cooled, remove skins, cut in half and discard the seeds. Chop into small pieces. Don’t touch your eyes!
- In a large bowl, crumble the feta bricks. [Crumbling the bricks yourself works best, but if you can only find crumbled feta that is fine.] Add chopped jalapenos, the zest of half a lemon, and the juice of half a lemon. Squeeze the roasted garlic out of the bulb directly into the feta. Add 1/4 cup of olive oil and mash with a fork. You want the feta to be a bit “wet” – I can best describe it as a cross between a spread and a dip. There is no right or wrong – make it however you’d like. Taste the feta and season with salt and pepper. Serve with pita chips, warm pita or naan, or spread it on sandwiches. Store it in the fridge for up to one week – I find that I like it best at room temperature, so allow it to sit out for about 30 minutes before serving. We also think it would be great with some kalamata olives.
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I appreciate you so much!
This is definitely my new party appetizer. Now you just need to invite me.
301 Comments on “Creamy Feta Dip.”
This looks so good! I am picturing it in a wrap with roast chicken and field greens. Yum!
I am having visions of this made with goat cheese. Do you think it would work?
I think it would – I don’t think it would have the exact same flavor and that it would definitely be more of a “spread,” but I think it would probably be good!
I cannot wait to try this recipe! I am a feta freak and it is 8 am and you got me salivating! I’m definitely stopping by the store today!
done. come on over! I’ll have margaritas…
(and I love that you went to the store first thing – that is DEFINITELY something I do… ;)
You’ve convinced me to give it a shot (and I DO love jalapenos, lemon or feta!).
Fun.
Your food pics are SO good! Yum!
I’m so totally sold ! I think this would be amazing with goat feta ;D
This looks wonderful! It reminds me of one of my very favourite cheese-dishes: baked feta. I think feta deserves to be celebrated more often!
LOVE this idea! Can’t wait to make … tonight!
Ahhh Cava is so good!!! But crazy expensive… I love anything feta, and I’m sure this will be amazing with some pita chips. Who needs the spinach artichoke when there’s crazy feta??
currently e-mailing this to hubs (a self-confessed feta freak) so he can throw it together this weekend for our mutual enjoyment
Oh my – I already have a problem with eating feta straight from the container. Obviously I HAVE to make this, but Im a little afraid that I wont be able to control myself and will just eat it with a spoon.
This sounds insanely delicious!
Oh my goodness! Pure genius! From one cheese fan to another, thank you! This looks and sounds delicious.
I love feta, so why not!?! I can only imagine how delicious it would be on a warm pita, gosh I want some now…
And I so have left over feta from Greek night this week. I WANT THIS!
ok, I’ve starred this recipe and will be making it this weekend. You’ve convinced me. But I love all ingredients involved!
Looking for an appetizer to take to a party this weekend! Could you make this a creamier spread type consistency in the food processor? Or is it better to leave it a little chunky and made by hand?
I think sometimes when we cook it’s easy to overthink things; sometimes the best dishes are the simplest. This looks fantastic and I can see why it’s such a hit, and even better that it is simple enough to make yourself.
Ooohhh, this sounds amazing!!!! I LOVE feta!
This looks awesome! I love feta and I love dips. I whipped up some sort of spicy feta one time, but couldn’t tell you how I did it. Will try this one as a replacement!
Haha I’m glad you went into an explanation because those ingredients definitely don’t sound as scrumptious as the final dish. Guess it’s more than the sum of its parts, eh? :) I actually went to a Greek restaurant in Minneapolis (It’s Greek to Me) last weekend and my family and I enjoyed some spicy feta dip – this could be kind of like that! It was to die for. Warm pita squares, absolutely.
Dang this DOES sound delicious! YUM!
considering i like my arms and legs too I will try this.
whole foods doesn’t need my pudgy legs.
You just made my favorite cheese even better…by making it spicy. I loves it!
I love Cava!!
I’m not a huge fan of feta…especially in that amount. But I’m definitely intrigued. I wonder if it would work with goat cheese crumbled? Hmmm…I’ll have to try it and get back to you :)
Aimee
I am obsessed with feta!!! I eat it out of the container all the time! this looks awesome!
Thank you for being such a diligent blogger :) I love that I can click on your FB name even sometimes twice a day to see new posts all the time. I’m not sure how you reel me in to reading about your entire TJ’s purchase, but you do. My boss doesn’t appreciate you (because you distract me), but you make my day much more enjoyable. Thank you!
Holy, holy, holy cow. This is happening this weekend. We’re going to a friend’s house to watch a game, so this would be perfect!
Oh . my. gosh. This is MY kind of dish. I want to make a whole bowl for myself and eat it for dinner!
You don’t even have to sell me on this one. I love lemon, jalapeno, and feta! I love this idea. Yum!
Doesn’t sound so crazy to me! My husband loves feta, and I know this recipe is a keeper for him. Will be making this one soon.
I am completely obsessed with feta cheese right now. This is genius! Buying everything to make it today!
oh wow. my mouth is watering. MUST MAKE ASAP!
Haha if I have a party, you’re def on the invite list.. although I’m sorry, but I’m more a goat cheese gal than feta.
Feta is ANYthing BUT a snoozefest. mmmmm
My summer needs this. And a beer!
This sounds fabulously addicting! I LOVE feta and the thought of smothering warm, homemade bread with this makes me swoon.
It sounds awesome as is, but hubby is a bit on the fence with feta. He was wondering if it might be good with queso fresco. What do ya think?
I love Feta so this just looks and sounds amazing to me!!! I will have to try it the next time I have people over.
I have to try this immediately! Everything about it looks absolutely amazing. Not a huge fan of spice, so I will probably have to tone my down. (I’m a wuss.)
I make something very similar and serve it for dinner with chicken or beef kabobs, homemade pita bread, and a big greek salad. It is amazing!
This looks ridiculous. If I hadn’t just gotten home from the grocery store, I would go buy these ingredients right now. Guess I’ll have to go again tomorrow.
GAHHH that would be amazing stuffed INSIDE of chicken! :) or just outta the bowl
I didn’t think that feta could get any *betta*. But I do believe that it did. Yummers.
I feel dirty just reading about this. I want to roll around in it . . . naked. Inappropriate, what??
Oooh, this looks amazing, And addictive. Heat and feta and lemon… amazing.
I’m officially inviting you over. It will just be you and me, but we can go to town on this feta and then put on stretchy pants and watch TV.
I know I’m going to make and love this. Very sure~!