Feta is served as an appetizer, side dish, and as an ingredient in salads, filled pies, and pastries. Its use in preparing and serving Greek food is almost as imperative as the use of olive oil. Feta may be used in most recipes that call for cheese: vegetable and fruit salads, filled pies, as a topping for or ingredient in cooked rice and tomato-based pastas, as a filling for omelets, in sandwiches, and elsewhere, and the classic slice of feta is rarely missing from the Greek table.
1. 4-Meat Oven Casserole with Feta
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Beef, pork, lamb, and turkey... all together in one fabulous oven stew! This recipe is a meat lover's dream. Whether you're cleaning out the fridge and freezer or start from scratch, this fabulous combination of meats is pulled together with feta cheese and seasonings in an easy dish that goes wonderfully well with rice, noodles, potatoes, or couscous.
2. Baked Eggplant with Feta
Photo © Jim Stanfield
A fabulous meatless appetizer, side, or main dish of eggplant, tomato, herbs, and feta cheese.
3. Cheese Pie Triangles with Feta
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Whether your passion is flaky phyllo dough or feta cheese, these little cheese pie triangles are one of the most famous Greek cheese dishes and are a taste treat.
4. Feta Cheese Pie
Photo © Jim Stanfield
Different than the more well-known "cheese pies" made with phyllo dough, this is a delicious pie similar to a quiche, made with feta cheese, eggs, and yogurt. Delicious served as a snack with coffee, or with breakfast.
5. Grilled Feta
Photo © Jim Stanfield
Whatever else is on the grill, add some feta cheese for a classic Greek touch. This is a basic recipe that just begs for creativity!
6. Microwave Feta & Tomato
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This is a variation of an old standard cooked in the oven, but this is quick, easy, and tastes delicious.
7. Potato, Zucchini, and Feta Casserole
Photo © Jim Stanfield
Potatoes, zucchini, red and green peppers, and feta cheese on top: a delightful light main dish or side.
8. Spicy Stuffed Peppers with Feta
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Bull's horn, Cubanelle, or Anaheim peppers (long, light green, mild) are stuffed with a mixture of feta cheese and finely chopped hot peppers, then roasted or grilled. This is a quick and easy recipe to make, and a delicious appetizer, meze, or side dish.
9. Spinach, Bean, & Feta Oven Casserole
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This is a delicious meatless oven casserole that combines the classic tastes of spinach with green onion, leeks, dill, and feta cheese, combined with giant beans (yigandes) or lima beans. It can also be made with frozen spinach and, when fresh tomatoes may not be available, canned can be substituted.
10. Potato & Feta Omelet
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Hearty pie-like omelets made with comparatively few eggs and lots of filling are Greek traditions, and this omelet is a classic example. A substantial main dish omelet made with 3 eggs, a pound of french fries, and some feta cheese, this is also a great way to use leftover fried potatoes.
11. Spinach Pie with Feta
Photo © Jim Stanfield
Although often called spanakopita because the longer word is hard to pronounce, this spanakotyropita has cheese, and spanakopita does not. Call it what you like, this is a delicious dish and one for which Greece is famous.
12. Watermelon & Feta Cheese Salad
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The combination of watermelon and feta cheese is a Greek favorite in summer. It's eaten as a snack or a light meal. This variation includes paper-thin slices of red onion, and a touch of balsamic vinegar to turn this fabulous taste combination into a summer salad.