You'll Never Want Another Feta Spread! (Ep.37 ft. Tirokafteri)
Frappé days are here at last! On this episode, Olivia and Joe find a food processor and decide to get creative! With a bunch of ingredients and some help from the Greeks, they’ll be attempting a traditional recipe for the first time. So will this Greek CLASSIC be fantastic?? Or will it leave them in RUINS??
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The Olivia and Joe Cheese Show is a weekly talk show where we try a new cheese every week. Historical, international, favorites to cheap bodega finds, we'll try anything! If you're a foodie who likes to laugh, you'll love the Cheese Show! More information about this week's cheese below:
Country - Greece
Milk Type - Sheep
Pasteurization - Pasteurized
Age - 2-5 months
Tirokafteri (or spelled with a y) is a cheese-based spread from Greece. The preparation of the dish varies from region to region, which has led to a few different versions named ktipiti, htipiti, or kopanisti. Though they’re all a bit different, the common main ingredients for most versions include feta cheese, hot peppers, roasted red peppers, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, greek yogurt, and oregano. It’s typically eaten as part of a mezze platter or by itself with slices of warm pita bread. For our own recipe, Olivia researched a bunch of Greek recipes and pulled together all the elements to create the ultimate Tirokafteri recipe, which you should definitely try!! Super easy and SO DELICIOUS!
The feta we used for the recipe is Arahova feta, the classic standard by which all others fetas are measured. It’s 100% sheep’s milk (“feta” is name protected and must be at least 70% sheep. Some fetas include up to 30% goat’s milk), and aged in a wooden barrel for up to five months. It’s salty, tangy and complex. And most importantly, it’s the PERFECT feta for a spread. I suggest if you want to make the recipe, try to find a feta in brine, not a pre-crumbled feta from your grocery store.
RECIPE
Combine in a food processor:
8 oz feta
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
½ cup greek yogurt (more if you like it creamier, or sub it out for a few more tbs of evoo)
1 roasted red pepper (you can roast a red pepper yourself, then remove the skin, or get a jar of roasted red peppers in brine)
1tbs of crushed chili peppers flakes OR 1-2 roasted chili peppers (add or subtract to your own taste!)
1tbs lemon juice
1tbs red wine vinegar
1 clove garlic
Blend to desired consistency! Oregano to taste
Pairing Suggestions: Hummus, pita, olives, dolmades, spanakopita (spinach pie), lemon potatoes, grilled chicken, greek salad - YUM!!! With ours, we are drinking a crisp Greek white wine. Assyrtiko is probably the best known Greek grape variety. Or you could go with another crisp white wine if you’re unable to find something from Greece.
If You Can’t Find This Cheese: If you are going to make this recipe, DEFINITELY use a brined feta, nothing pre-crumbled or waxy from a grocery store! You can also try to purchase a tirokafteri from a greek restaurant! Many have the spread on the menu. There are a few different varieties of the spicy cheese spread, so be sure to look for tirokafteri, chtipiti, ktipiti, htipiti, or kopanisti.
If you like this cheese, let us know below! What do you like to pair with this cheese? How would you describe the way this cheese tastes? What are your favorite cheeses?
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Ktipiti
This spicy whipped feta, called ktipiti, which means beaten, is versatile and delicious. The recipe makes about two cups. To find some of the artisinal Greek products you'll need to make this, visit my online shop here, where you'll discover a host of lovingly curated Greek ingredients.
½ to 2/3 cup extra virgin Greek olive oil
2 chopped roasted red peppers either freshly roasted or brined Greek Florina peppers, rinsed and drained
1 to 2 fresh chile peppers seeded, to taste
1 pound Greek feta cheese crumbled or broken up
A few drops of hot sauce
1 teaspoon dried Greek oregano
Juice of ½ to 1 lemon to taste
Black pepper to taste
4 to 6 tablespoons extra virgin Greek olive oil
2 – 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt as needed
Pulverize the peppers in the bowl of a food processor.
Add the feta and pulse until it’s a thick cream. Add half the lemon juice, hot sauce to taste, oregano, black pepper and 4 tablespoons of olive oil. Pulse to combine well. The mixture should be creamy. Add remaining olive oil, Greek yogurt and lemon juice as needed to adjust flavor and consistency.
Variations
You can use this as a dip but you can also use it to stuff long green peppers for baking, or even as a topping over broiled fish or chicken. It’s also great in between slices of cooked beets.
To stuff peppers: Add ½ cup plain bread crumbs to the mixture. Remove the crowns from 6 to 8 long green peppers. Carefully remove as much of their seeds as possible without tearing the pepper. A long, dull butter knife does the trick. Using your thumb, press as much of the cheese mixture as possible into each hollowed out pepper, leaving about a half inch from the top free. Place the crown inside each pepper opening, stem side in. Place in an oiled pan, drizzle with olive oil, and bake in a preheated oven at 375F/180C until tender but al dente, and lightly charred. Serve hot.
As a topping for fish such as salmon or sea bass, or for chicken, add 1 egg, ½ cup breadcrumbs, and 2/3 cup chopped fresh herbs such as mint, parsley and fresh oregano to the mixture. Season the fish or chicken with salt and pepper, and brush the fish or chicken with olive oil and a little mustard if desired. Press a few tablespoons of the cheese mixture onto the surface of each fillet and bake. You can broil for a few minutes just before removing from oven to get some color on the cheese crust.
HARISSA FETA DIP
HARISSA FETA DIP
This luscious harissa feta dip is inspired by Tirokafteri, which is a traditional greek whipped feta dip that comes in many variations with some incorporating spiciness based on the added ingredients. Tirokafteri’s texture is typically more whipped but we went for something more on the thick and creamy side; by no means traditional but still addictingly delicious!
Full recipe on our IG account @zwitafoods !
#harissa #harissapaste #tunisian #greek #fusion #tirokafteri #inspired #mediterranean #feta #fetadip #spicyfetadip #harissafeta #harissadip #tunisianharissa
Link to harissa products (mild, spicy, or smoky):
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Pinterest: @zwitafoods
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Website: zwitafoods.com
Tirokafteri | Spicy Feta Cheese Spread Recipe / Feta Dip
Here's a super easy vid on how to make tirokafteri at home. Tirokafteri is that Greek spicy feta cheese spread that you find on most Greek restaurant menus around the world. With only 4 simple ingredients, you too can add authentic Greek spice to your life. Using a food processor will also make your like a lot easier in this recipe. If you're not sure on exactly how much spice you can handle, simply add your heat in a little at a time.
INGREDIENTS LIST
* 300g Greek feta cheese
* 1/4 cup Greek extra virgin olive oil
* 2 heaping tbsp. Greek strained yogurt
* 1 cayenne pepper (or to taste)
* Salt & pepper to taste
Hope you guys enjoy this video and if you have any questions, comments or suggestions, just give me a shout and I'll get back ASAP!!!!!
Try this today and take your meals from ordinary to OPA!!!!!
Hope you all love it!!!!!
Cheers,
Ken
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