Spicy Feta Cheese Dip - Tyrokafteri - with Basil or Cilantro and Lemon
Greek dips are one of the most important aspects of the Greek diet and an important component of the whole Mediterranean diet as well because they represent both seasonal and regional flavors as well as the convivial aspects of the cuisine. A dip is meant to be shared. A Greek dip is by default also a Greek meze and the meze table is all about shared plates and having food and drinks with friends. Greek feta, of course, is one of the country’s most recognizable ingredients, a true Mediterranean diet ingredient, born of this place and part of the food traditions of Greece for eons. You can enjoy this Greek dip called Tyrokafteri, which translates as spicy cheese, with almost anything. You can even enjoy it as ore than a dip, as a bed, say, for some grilled protein and even as a topping for a piece of fish.
PREP TIME 5 minutes
COOK TIME 5 minutes
SERVES 2 cups
Ingredients
- 2 cups crumbled Greek feta
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 3 garlic cloves peeled and cut into slivers
- ½ cup extra virgin Greek olive oil and more to taste or as needed
- Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of ½ a lemon
- 1 small bunch basil or cilantro leaves only, julienned or chopped
- 1 small fresh or dried chili pepper seeded and chopped (or more, as desired)
Instructions
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Place the garlic slivers in a small frying pan with about a quarter cup olive oil. Over low heat, cook the garlic until soft but don’t let it brown. Turn off the heat.
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Place the feta, yogurt, softened garlic with its oil, remaining olive oil, lemon zest and juice, basil or cilantro, and chopped chili pepper in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add more olive oil, chili pepper, or lemon juice as desired. Serve at room temperature or chilled.