Description
This baked feta, tomatoes, and garlic recipe is a warm, flavorful Mediterranean-inspired dish perfect for sharing. Roasting cherry tomatoes and garlic alongside a creamy feta block creates a rich, savory mix, enhanced with oregano, crushed red pepper, and herbes de Provence. Served with honey-drizzled focaccia, this dish combines sweet, spicy, and savory notes for a delightful appetizer or light meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Baked Feta and Tomatoes
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 3–4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp fresh oregano
- 2 tsp crushed red peppers (divided: 1 tsp for baking, 1 tsp for topping)
- 1 pinch of salt
- ⅓ cup high-quality olive oil (plus more for drizzling)
- 1 tsp herbes de Provence
- 1 block of feta cheese
- Honey, to taste
Focaccia Bread
- 1 focaccia loaf
- Olive oil, for drizzling
- Honey, for drizzling
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper
- Herbes de Provence, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the ingredients evenly.
- Prepare Tomatoes: Carefully poke a hole in each cherry tomato using the end of a knife to prevent bursting while baking, ensuring they retain their shape and texture.
- Mix Ingredients: In a baking dish, combine the prepared tomatoes with sliced garlic, fresh oregano, 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper, a pinch of salt, and ⅓ cup of olive oil. Mix gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Add Feta: Place a block of feta cheese on top of the tomato mixture, and drizzle additional olive oil over the top to enhance flavor and moisture.
- Bake Feta and Tomatoes: Bake the dish for 45-50 minutes, occasionally basting the feta and tomatoes with the juices to keep the feta moist and infuse flavors.
- Prepare Focaccia: While the feta bakes, place your focaccia loaf on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with olive oil and honey, then evenly sprinkle the remaining 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper and herbes de Provence over the top.
- Bake Focaccia: When the feta has about 15 minutes left, add the prepared focaccia bread to the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the bread is golden and slightly crisp.
- Finish and Serve: Once baked, drizzle the feta and tomato mixture with a little more olive oil and honey for added richness and sweetness. Slice the focaccia and serve alongside the baked feta and tomatoes, perfect for dipping.
Notes
- Use high-quality olive oil for the best flavor infusion and richness.
- Poking holes in the cherry tomatoes helps to release steam without bursting them in the oven.
- The honey adds a perfect balance of sweetness to complement the savory feta and spicy red peppers.
- This dish can be served warm or at room temperature, making it versatile for gatherings.
- Adjust the crushed red pepper according to your desired spice level.
- Focaccia can be substituted with other rustic breads if unavailable.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: baked feta, roasted tomatoes, garlic, focaccia, Mediterranean appetizer, baked cheese, tomato dish, vegetarian appetizer
