Homemade Feta Cheese Food

FETA CHEESE DIP (TIROKAFTERI)

Steps:

• To prepare this amazing feta cheese dip (tyrokafterh), remove the stem and seeds from the pepper, and chop it finely. (If you have some extra time, roast or slightly fry the pepper before chopping)
• Cut the feta cheese into cubes and place in a bowl, add the chopped pepper and begin mixing in a blender or stand mixer (food processor). Gradually add the vinegar and olive oil, whilst mixing at medium speed.
• Pour in the milk until the feta cheese dip has a silky smooth, creamy consistency. Pour in a little at a time and mix until the cheese dip is smooth.
• If you prefer the dip to be a bit more spicy you can add a couple of teaspoons of cayenne pepper to taste. The milk and cheese require quite a lot of chillies to turn spicy as the milk neutralises the spiciness in the chillies so don't be afraid to add more if you want to.
• Alternatively if you prefer your dip to be creamy and mild don't add any chillies. If you want the sauce to be even creamier try adding a few tablespoons of yoghurt. This will make it even smoother than the milk!
• Pour the feta cheese dip (tyrokafteri) in a medium bowl and garnish with some chopped chillies and a couple of olives.
• Store the feta cheese dip covered in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.

HOMEMADE FETA CHEESE

Steps:

• Combine 1/4 cup water and 1/2 teaspoon calcium chloride in a small bowl; mix well.
• Combine 1/4 cup water and 1/2 teaspoon rennet in another small bowl; mix well.
• Pour milk into a double boiler set over medium-low heat. Heat milk until it registers 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) on an instant-read thermometer. Sprinkle cheese culture on the surface. Allow to dissolve without stirring for a few minutes, then stir well. Cover and keep at 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) for 1 hour.
• Pour calcium chloride mixture into the milk; stir for 1 minute. Add rennet mixture; stir for 1 to 2 minutes. Let stand at room temperature until milk sets into curd, about 1 hour. Press edge of the curd gently with a palette knife or the back of a spoon to check for firmness.
• Cut curd all the way to the bottom of the pot into 1-inch squares. Stir gently with a rubber spatula. Let rest, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Stir curds, maintaining temperature at 86 degrees F (30 degrees C), until they sink to the bottom of the pot, about 20 minutes. Scoop out liquid (whey) with a ladle and discard or reserve for another use.
• Line 2 basket-style molds with damp cheesecloth. Ladle curds into the molds with a slotted spoon and cover with ends of cheesecloth. Place one mold on top of the other, pressing lightly. Let drain, switching the molds and stirring curds a few times, until cheese is firm, at least 4 hours.
• Mix 8 cups water, sea salt, 1 teaspoon calcium chloride, and white vinegar together in a large container to make brine. Submerge cheese in brine and let soak, at least 8 hours and up to 3 weeks.

FETA CHEESE BREAD

Steps:

• Put the warm water in a medium bowl, sprinkle the yeast over the water and stir. When it starts to bubble, add the flour and start to stir with a wooden spoon (or by hand). Add the olive oil slowly until the dough is pliable and smooth. Work in the feta cheese, kneading until evenly distributed throughout the dough. Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.
• Place the dough on a lightly oiled cookie sheet and flatten with the palms of the hand. The dough shouldn't be any higher than about 1 1/4 inches. Score the top lightly in squares or diamond shapes. Cover with a towel and allow the dough to rise for one hour.
• Preheat the oven to 340F (170C).
• Bake for approximately 30-40 minutes. It should be done on the bottom and nicely browned on top.

BAKED FETA PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Toss the cherry tomatoes and olive oil with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and several grinds of black pepper in a medium bowl until combined. Transfer to a 2 1/2- to 3-quart baking dish, place the feta in the center of the tomatoes and season with a pinch of black pepper. Bake until the tomatoes have burst and the feta has softened, about 30 minutes. Raise the heat to 450 degrees F and continue to cook until the tomatoes and feta are golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 13 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water, then thoroughly drain the pasta.
• As soon as the tomatoes and feta come out of the oven, stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Use the back of a spoon to smash the tomatoes and feta into a smooth and creamy sauce (it's okay if some of the oil isn't fully integrated). Add the pasta and half the basil and toss until evenly coated. If the sauce is too thick, stir in some pasta water a couple tablespoons at a time. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve topped with the remaining basil and a pinch of sea salt.

HOMEMADE FETA CHEESE

Steps:

• Sterilize all of your equipment before you begin (wash in hot soapy water, rinse well. Spray with a bleach cleanser or soak in water with bleach added, then rinse well again).
• Heat the milk slowly to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. (You will get better results if the temperature changes are always gradual.).
• Add starter culture. A pinch of lipase enzyme may be added for more flavor.
• Stir occasionally for 1 hour, holding the temperature at 90 degrees.
• If using rennet tablet, crush well. Add the rennet to the 1/4 cup of cool water and stir until well mixed (for liquid rennet) or thoroughly dissolved (for rennet tablet). Add the rennet to the milk and stir for one full minute, then do not touch for 40 minutes or until the milk has coagulated, continuing to hold it at 90 degrees. The milk is ready when a finger or thermometer inserted into the curd at a 45 degree angle will separate the curd firmly and cleanly.
• Cut the curd into 1/2 inch cubes. (Using a knife, make cuts all the way through the curd 1/2 inch apart, first in one direction, then perpendicular to the first cuts. Then, holding your knife at a 45 degree angle, do your best to make another series of 1/2 cuts. They need not be perfect - your goal is pieces of fairly uniform size.) Do not stir!
• Let rest for 10 minutes, then stir gently. Cut any large pieces in half. Continue to stir gently about every ten minutes for another 1 to 2 hours, continuing to hold at 90 degrees, until the curds have shrunk to about 1/4 their original size.
• Ladle curds and whey into Feta molds or a colander lined with coarse cheesecloth (which has been sterilized). The whey will drain out and the cheese will stay in the mold.
• Leave overnight in a cool place to drain. The cheese will shrink down.
• Take the cheese out of the mold and cut into 2-3 inch pieces.
• Using coarse salt, generously salt all sides of pieces.
• Leave at room temperature for a full day turning the pieces every once in a while.
• Place the pieces UNCOVERED, on a wooden board in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. They will continue to drain whey.
• Store your cheese in a brine solution made with 1/2 cup salt (Kosher, if possible) per 1/2 gallon of water (boiled and cooled to below room temperature), using just enough to cover the cheese. Let it age 1 to 4 weeks to develop flavor. Stored in brine in the refrigerator it will stay good for months, but the flavor will continue to get sharper.

30 WAYS TO USE FETA THAT GO BEYOND SALAD

Steps:

• Select your favorite recipe.
• Organize all the required ingredients.
• Prep a feta cheese recipe in 30 minutes or less!

HOLIDAY FETA CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Mix cream cheese and feta with mixer until blended. Add next 3 ingredients; mix well.
• Refrigerate several hours or until chilled.
• Shape into ball. Roll in parsley until evenly coated.

BAKED FETA CHEESE (& MORE RECIPES!)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
• Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and add a few pinches kosher salt. Finely mince the garlic. Chop the parsley.
• In a small oven-proof dish, place the tomatoes, garlic, parsley, and Kalamata olives, then top with the feta cheese. Drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with the dried oregano.
• Bake for about 18 minutes, until the feta cheese is warm and soft. Serve immediately with crackers, pita, or bread.