Feta cheese is traditionally made from the milk of a goat or sheep. A milder American version is made from cow's milk. Popular in Mediterranean cooking, feta can be used in most any recipe calling for cheese. Feta is sold in three forms: crumbles, chunks and packaged in brine. Feta should be used within a few days after purchase as most feta is a fresh cheese and will spoil rapidly.
Make a Sauce
A feta cheese sauce is quick to make and can be served over cooked chicken breasts or pork steaks. In a non-stick pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add 4 tablespoons of flour and whisk to combine. Add 1 can of evaporated milk and stir. Stir in a tablespoon of chives or Italian seasonings and 3 ounces of feta cheese. Cook until the cheese has melted and the sauce is thick and bubbly.
Cook a Seafood Pasta Sauce
In a large non-stick pan, combine 1/4 cup chicken broth, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/4 cup minced scallions and 4 minced garlic cloves. Cook until scallions soften, then stir in 2 teaspoons oregano, 2 teaspoons lemon juice and mix well. Add in 3/4 pound of uncooked shrimp, crab or scallops and cook for 6 to 8 minutes over medium heat. Add in 1 can of drained diced tomatoes and 1/2 cup feta cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted. Serve over cooked linguine, spaghetti or other favorite pasta.
Stuffing
Use feta cheese to replace the cheese in any meat stuffing recipe. Feta can be used with herbs and spices to stuff lamb, pork or chicken. Make a simple stuffing by combining 1 cup crumbled feta, 10 ounces of spinach (fresh or thawed frozen) and 1 tablespoon each of rosemary and thyme. Flatten meat with the back of a pan or a meat hammer. Spoon stuffing over the surface of the meat. Roll the meat into a cylinder, much like a jelly roll, and tie with kitchen string so the meat will hold its shape. Cook by roasting in an oven for 30 minutes or in a non-stick skillet until browned and cooked throughout.
Other Ways to Cook Feta
Replace the cheddar or American cheese in any macaroni and cheese recipe and serve your family and friends a "gourmet" side dish that will go with any meal. Or, go with the traditional method and serve crumbles or shredded feta at the table as a topping to baked potatoes, rice or salads.
Tags: cheese melted, Cook until, feta cheese, from milk, made from, made from milk
