Whipped Feta with Charred Lemon
Whipped Feta with Charred Lemon
Ingredients
For the Whipped Feta
- 8 ounces block feta cheese, crumbled
- 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic, clove, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, from charred lemon
- 1 tablespoon cold water, or more, as needed
For the Charred Lemon
- 1 lemon, large, halved lengthwise
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
For Serving
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, for garnish (optional)
- pita bread, toasted, for serving
- crusty bread, for serving
- vegetable sticks, for serving
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the charred lemon: Lightly brush the cut sides of the lemon halves with 1 teaspoon of olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Heat a cast iron skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat until very hot.
⏱️ 2 min - 2
Place the lemon halves cut-side down in the hot skillet. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, without moving, until deep golden brown and slightly blackened in spots. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
While the lemon cools, prepare the whipped feta: In the bowl of a food processor, combine the crumbled feta cheese, softened cream cheese, 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, and freshly ground black pepper.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Once cool enough to handle, zest 1/2 teaspoon from one of the charred lemon halves directly into the food processor. Cut the other charred lemon half into wedges for serving. (Save the zested lemon half for juicing or discard.)
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Process the feta mixture on high speed until completely smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. If the mixture is too thick, add cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a light, spreadable consistency.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Transfer the whipped feta to a shallow serving bowl or plate. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and red pepper flakes, if desired. Arrange the charred lemon wedges alongside.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
Serve immediately with toasted pita bread, crusty bread, or fresh vegetable sticks. This dip is best enjoyed fresh.
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Whipped Feta with Charred Lemon
Ingredients
For the Whipped Feta
- 8 ounces block feta cheese, crumbled
- 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic, clove, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, from charred lemon
- 1 tablespoon cold water, or more, as needed
For the Charred Lemon
- 1 lemon, large, halved lengthwise
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
For Serving
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, for garnish (optional)
- pita bread, toasted, for serving
- crusty bread, for serving
- vegetable sticks, for serving
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the charred lemon: Lightly brush the cut sides of the lemon halves with 1 teaspoon of olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Heat a cast iron skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat until very hot.
⏱️ 2 min - 2
Place the lemon halves cut-side down in the hot skillet. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, without moving, until deep golden brown and slightly blackened in spots. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
While the lemon cools, prepare the whipped feta: In the bowl of a food processor, combine the crumbled feta cheese, softened cream cheese, 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, and freshly ground black pepper.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Once cool enough to handle, zest 1/2 teaspoon from one of the charred lemon halves directly into the food processor. Cut the other charred lemon half into wedges for serving. (Save the zested lemon half for juicing or discard.)
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Process the feta mixture on high speed until completely smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. If the mixture is too thick, add cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a light, spreadable consistency.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Transfer the whipped feta to a shallow serving bowl or plate. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and red pepper flakes, if desired. Arrange the charred lemon wedges alongside.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
Serve immediately with toasted pita bread, crusty bread, or fresh vegetable sticks. This dip is best enjoyed fresh.