Feta makes a better appetizer

You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

With the holiday season upon us, the dinner table has regained its place of importance as friends and family gather to share, laugh and enjoy. Memorable evenings start with great planning, and the appetizer course should never be an afterthought if you’re aiming to dazzle your diners.

Feta cheese is a great foundation for appetizers that meets some key criteria for a noteworthy opening course: It’s light and whets the appetite for your superb dishes to follow. Feta extends beyond the typical, giving your diners a delightfully unexpected taste to kick off the evening.  Most important, feta works in harmony with so many ingredients. The white, crumbly, Greek-style cheese carries a bright, piquant flavor. Its tangy, salty bite complements dishes both sweet and savory.

Consider these delicious feta appetizers when assembling your holiday menu:  

Baked feta with crostini: Light and elegant, baked feta is also quick and simple to prepare. Place feta in a baking dish with olives and cherry tomatoes. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle evenly with oregano, rosemary, red pepper flakes and cracked black pepper. Bake at 350 degrees until its hot and bubbly, then serve with warm slices of crostini.

Whipped feta dip: This delicious dip can be prepared in advance, leaving more time to spend on the remainder of your dinner preparations. Place equal portions of feta and cream cheese into your food processor along with Greek seasoning, garlic, lemon and olive oil. Pulse until smooth and creamy, then serve with pita, crackers and vegetables.

Marinated feta cheese: Prepared in advance, this appetizer truly lets feta’s flavor shine. Slice feta into small, uniform cubes. Mix olive oil with garlic, lemon zest, oregano, red pepper flakes, kosher salt and pepper. Fold in the feta, place it in a sealed container and refrigerate for a day or more. Serve the cubes on toothpicks or surround them on a platter with slices of baguette.

Feta bruschetta: Bruschetta is a classic appetizer and feta provides a tangy, elevating burst of flavor. Brush slices of baguette or French bread with olive oil and bake until browned. Mix crumbled feta with diced tomato, minced garlic and fresh basil and spoon it on top of the toasted bread for an opener that’s light and colorful.

Cranberry and feta pinwheels: Simple to make, this appetizer brings out festive colors that are as appealing as the flavor. Create a spread by combining feta, cream cheese, dried cranberries and green onion. Spread it evenly on tortillas, roll and slice. Choose wheat or spinach tortillas for an extra splash of color.

Versatile feta is a choice cheese for appealing dishes in every course of your meal. Agropur’s feta has continually earned honors at some of the world’s most prestigious cheese contests. We manufacture traditional, reduced-fat, fat-free, premium and flavored varieties. Click here to learn more about feta cheese from Agropur.