Feta Pine Nut Spread Recipes

HOMEMADE HERBED PASTA WITH FETA, LEMON AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• For the pasta: Sift the flours into a pile on a clean work surface. Create a 6-inch well in the middle. Add the parsley, olive oil, eggs and yolks, 1 teaspoon salt and 2 teaspoons pepper to the well. Whisk gently with a fork. When the center is combined, begin to incorporate the flours into the eggs a little at a time. Once you can no longer use your fork, use your hands to knead the dough. When the dough is shaggy, knead the dough until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Divide the dough into 2. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 30 minutes.
• Roll out the dough, using semolina flour as needed. The pasta should be about 2 centimeters thick. Fold the pasta in half lengthwise, then in half again. Slice into 3/4-inch wide ribbons, or desired width. Shake out the noodles and hold in nests.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it ferociously. Cook the pasta to al dente, about 3 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 2 cups pasta water.
• For the feta, lemon and pine nut sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until a drop of water sizzles when flicked across the surface. Add the pine nuts and garlic and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Add the preserved lemon and 1 cup mint and cook, stirring, for another 1 to 2 minutes. Add 1 cup of the reserved pasta water. Allow it to cook down and reduce for another minute. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, reduce the heat to low and toss the pasta to coat it evenly in the mixture. Add more pasta water if it needs a bit more sauce. Add about 20 turns of black pepper and top with the feta, a few pinches of crushed red pepper and the remaining 1 cup mint. Serve immediately and enjoy.

FETA-PINE NUT SPREAD

Steps:

• Place cream cheese, yogurt, pine nuts, basil and garlic in processor. Blend, using on/off turns, until combined. Add feta cheese and sun-dried tomatoes and blend, using on/off turns, until combined but still chunky. Transfer spread to bowl. (Feta-pine nut spread can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

TOMATO CROSTINI WITH WHIPPED FETA

Steps:

• For the whipped feta, place the feta and cream cheese in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Pulse until the cheeses are mixed. Add 1/3 cup of the olive oil, the lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and process until smooth.
• For the tomatoes, up to an hour before you're serving, combine the shallots, garlic, and vinegar in a medium bowl. Set aside for 5 minutes. Whisk in the remaining 1/3 cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add the tomatoes, stir gently, and set aside for 10 minutes. Stir in the basil and taste for seasonings.
• To assemble the crostini, spread each slice of bread with a generous amount of whipped feta. With a slotted spoon, place the tomatoes on top. Put the crostini on plates and scatter with the pine nuts. Sprinkle with extra basil and serve.

RICOTTA, OLIVE AND PINE NUT SPREAD

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine the ricotta cheese, olives, pine nuts, olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Pulse until smooth. Add the parsley and pulse until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
• Cook's Note: To toast the pine nuts, arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F oven for 6 to 7 minutes until lightly toasted. Cool completely before using.

FETA PINE-NUT DIP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In a shallow baking pan toast pine nuts, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 7 minutes, and transfer to a plate to cool. Separately chop nuts, bell pepper, and parsley and combine in a bowl.
• Crumble feta into a food processor and pulse until it resembles coarse meal. Stir feta into nut mixture with garlic, yogurt, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve dip with pita toasts or bagel chips. Makes about 2 cups.

LEEK & FREEKEH PILAF WITH FETA & TOASTED PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Finely slice the leeks, keeping all the dark green tops. Put in a colander and rinse well under running water, then set aside to drain.
• Put a large heavy-based pan on the hob over a moderate heat, pour in 2 tbsp of the oil and tip in the leeks. Stir well and cover with a lid. Cook the leeks for 10-15 mins, stirring occasionally, until they are very soft.
• While the leeks cook, soak the freekeh in a bowl for 5 mins in plenty of cold water. Tip it into a sieve and rinse under running cold water, then drain well.
• Add the freekeh to the leeks along with the wine, stock and thyme and bring to a simmer. Cook the freekeh over a low heat, stirring from time to time, for 20-25 mins. Switch off the heat and let the contents of the pan stand while you prepare the feta and pine nuts.
• Heat the remaining tbsp oil in a frying pan until hot, add the garlic and pine nuts, and cook until both the nuts and the garlic are lightly browned. Crumble the feta and toss this along with the garlic-nut mix, the mint and lemon juice and zest into the freekeh. Taste and correct the seasoning, then serve at room temperature.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO, FETA AND PINE NUT SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. Toss 3 cups cubed Italian bread with olive oil. Season with seasoned salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Spread out in a single layer in a well oiled 9x13 inch baking dish. Broil until toasted, turning to brown evenly. Set croutons aside to cool.
• Spread pine nuts on a baking sheet, place on bottom rack of the oven, and toast under broiler. This should only take a few minutes, so watch carefully to prevent burning. Set aside to cool.
• Soak sun-dried tomatoes in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes, or until soft. Drain, and slice.
• In a large salad bowl, toss mixed greens with green onions. Top with croutons, sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, and feta.

GRIDDLED COURGETTES WITH PINE NUTS & FETA

Steps:

• Brush a griddle pan with a little of the oil and place on a high heat, then griddle courgettes in batches for 2-3 mins on each side until charred and cooked through. Keep warm while you cook the rest.
• Layer on a platter and sprinkle over the lemon zest, then top with the feta, pine nuts, chilli and mint. Drizzle over the rest of the oil and some seasoning. Serve warm or at room temperature.

VEGETARIAN SUN-DRIED TOMATO, FETA, AND WALNUT SPREAD

Steps:

• Combine sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, walnuts, olive oil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in the bowl of a food processor; pulse until blended. Pour in milk with the processor running, 1 tablespoon at a time, until a spreadable consistency is reached. Serve immediately or chill until needed.