Description
Creamy cranberry whipped feta dip blends Mediterranean and holiday flavors into one irresistible appetizer. Tangy feta cheese and sweet cranberry create a perfect balance for crackers or bread, delighting guests with its elegant simplicity.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (226 g) feta cheese, crumbled
- ½ cup (120 ml) plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup (237 ml) fresh or frozen cranberries
- ¼ cup (60 ml) orange juice
- ¼ cup (60 ml) maple syrup
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Zest of 1 orange
- ¼ cup (60 ml) chopped pistachios
- 12 tbsps (180 ml) honey
- Fresh thyme leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Cranberry Compote Creation: In a saucepan, merge whole cranberries, orange juice, maple syrup, orange zest, and nutmeg. Intensify heat to initiate boiling, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Compote Transformation: Allow cranberries to burst and meld, stirring intermittently until the mixture develops a jam-like consistency, approximately 6-10 minutes of cooking.
- Flavor Infusion: Remove compote from heat, letting it cool completely to enhance and concentrate flavors at ambient temperature.
- Feta Whipping: Combine feta cheese, Greek yogurt, olive oil, and red pepper flakes in a food processor. Pulse until achieving a velvety, aerated texture.
- Plating Artistry: Spread the whipped feta across a serving dish, creating a smooth, elegant base for the topping.
- Layering Brilliance: Drape the cooled cranberry compote over the feta, generating a vibrant color contrast.
- Textural Elevation: Scatter chopped pistachios across the surface for a satisfying crunch and nutty complexity.
- Finishing Flourish: Delicately drizzle honey and sprinkle fresh thyme leaves to introduce aromatic nuances.
- Serving Suggestion: Accompany immediately with crostini, crackers, or warm pita bread for an enticing appetizer experience.
Notes
- Manage Cranberry Cooking Time: Watch carefully during 6-10 minute simmering to prevent burning, stirring occasionally to ensure even texture and prevent sticking.
- Control Compote Consistency: Allow cranberry mixture to cool completely for thicker, more concentrated flavor and jammy texture that won’t make feta base watery.
- Achieve Smooth Feta Blend: Pulse food processor gradually to create ultra-creamy whipped texture without over-processing, which can make mixture grainy or too thin.
- Enhance Serving Flexibility: Experiment with alternative nuts like almonds or walnuts, swap honey with maple syrup, or use dairy-free yogurt for vegan adaptation without compromising overall taste profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg