Hello lovely readers!
Today, I’m thrilled to share a dish that’s bound to bring some Mediterranean sunshine into your kitchen: Baked Feta with Cherry Tomatoes and Fresh Herbs. This vibrant and flavorful dish is perfect for a leisurely brunch or even a light dinner. It’s wonderfully simple to prepare but looks and tastes like you’ve put a lot of effort into it. Plus, it features one of my absolute favorite ingredients – feta cheese!
Now, I don’t know about you, but there’s something incredibly satisfying about watching feta cheese bake to golden perfection while cherry tomatoes blister and release their sweet, tangy juices. The aroma alone is enough to make anyone’s mouth water.
Before we dive into the method, let’s have a quick chat about the ingredients. Feta cheese is, of course, our star player today. Its salty, creamy texture couples perfectly with the sweetness of cherry tomatoes. Fresh herbs like oregano and basil add a lovely aromatic layer, while a hint of garlic and a touch of crushed red pepper flakes bring a subtle yet delightful kick.
Alright, let’s get into the kitchen!
**Ingredients:**
– 200g feta cheese
– 250g cherry tomatoes, halved
– 3 tbsp olive oil
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tbsp fresh oregano leaves, chopped
– 1 tbsp fresh basil leaves, chopped
– 1 tsp dried thyme
– 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
– Salt and black pepper, to taste
– Crusty bread, for serving (optional)
**Method:**
1. **Preheat your oven** to 200°C (390°F). This step is crucial to ensure that the cheese and tomatoes bake evenly.
2. **In a baking dish**, arrange the block of feta cheese in the center. Trust me, the presentation will be as charming as the taste!
3. **Scatter the halved cherry tomatoes** around the feta cheese in the dish. The colors are already starting to look festive, aren’t they?
4. **Drizzle the olive oil** over the feta and tomatoes. Olive oil not only adds flavor but also helps everything bake beautifully.
5. **Sprinkle the minced garlic**, chopped oregano, chopped basil, and dried thyme evenly over the dish. This is where the magic begins – these herbs will infuse the cheese and tomatoes with incredible flavors.
6. **Add the crushed red pepper flakes**, salt, and black pepper to taste. A little kick from the pepper flakes balances the creaminess of the feta perfectly.
7. **Place the baking dish** in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the feta is soft and slightly browned on top, and the tomatoes are blistered. Your kitchen will smell heavenly at this point!
8. **Remove from the oven** and let it cool slightly before serving.
9. **Serve warm** with crusty bread, if desired. This is my favorite part – dipping the bread into the soft cheese and juicy tomatoes is pure bliss.
This dish is not only fantastic for brunch but also makes a beautiful appetizer or light supper. Personally, I love pairing it with a crisp, dry white wine and enjoying it outside on a sunny day with my family.
I hope this Baked Feta with Cherry Tomatoes and Fresh Herbs brings as much joy to your table as it does to mine. If you give it a try, be sure to let me know how it goes in the comments below. Happy cooking!
Cheers,
Al
Ingredients
– 200g feta cheese
– 250g cherry tomatoes, halved
– 3 tbsp olive oil
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tbsp fresh oregano leaves, chopped
– 1 tbsp fresh basil leaves, chopped
– 1 tsp dried thyme
– 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
– Salt and black pepper, to taste
– Crusty bread, for serving (optional)
Method
1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F).
2. In a baking dish, arrange the block of feta cheese in the center.
3. Scatter the halved cherry tomatoes around the feta cheese in the dish.
4. Drizzle the olive oil over the feta and tomatoes.
5. Sprinkle the minced garlic, chopped oregano, chopped basil, and dried thyme evenly over the dish.
6. Add the crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to taste.
7. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the feta is soft and slightly browned on top, and the tomatoes are blistered.
8. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
9. Serve warm with crusty bread, if desired.
