My Baked Feta Cheese with Olives is an appetiser that everyone will love! This Mediterranean dish has feta cheese, baked to perfection with fresh herbs, chilli and aromatic citrus peels, all doused in extra virgin olive oil. What’s more, it is quickly and easily prepared - it can be on your table and ready to enjoy in just 30 minutes!
Preheat the oven to 180 Degrees C (355 F).Cut chilli into thin strips. Remove the rosemary leaves from the sprig and prepare the citrus rind.
Place the feta in a small oven-proof dish - See Note 5.Pour the olive oil over the feta.
Add the strips of lemon and orange rind, then pour over the lemon juice.Distribute the olives around the feta. Sprinkle with the rosemary leaves and chilli.
Place the feta into the oven and bake about 20 minutes, until hot and bubbling.You will know it’s ready when the edges of the feta become slightly browned. If you want a little more colour, place it briefly under the grill/broiler.
Remove from the oven and serve with hot crusty bread, warmed pita or toasted ciabatta.
Video
Notes
Tablespoon: we use a standard Australian tablespoon which is 20 ml (4 teaspoons).
Olives: for this recipe, I prefer to use olives that have been pitted.
Rosemary: you could also use fresh thyme or dried oregano.
Chilli: use chilli flakes if you prefer, or omit them and use freshly ground black pepper.
Baking dish: you will serve the baked feta in the same dish.
Gluten-free option: if you require a dish that’s gluten-free, serve the feta with some gluten-free crackers or bread.
Feta is packed in salt brine so there’s no need to add any extra.