1150-200gblock feta cheese (about 6-8oz)double the feta cheese to serve more people
3garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1bell pepper, sliced ¼-½ inch
1/2large red onion cut into ½ inch wedges
1pintpint cherry tomatoes
1lemon, sliced in half
1/3cupolive oil
1/2tspdried oregano
1/4tspchili flakes
salt and pepper to taste
Sprigs fresh oregano, thyme and/or fresh basil to garnish
For serving: toasted bread, baguette, pita chips or crackers
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400F.
To an oven-proof baking dish add the creamy feta cheese in the center of the dish and surround with thinly sliced garlic cloves, bell pepper slices, red onion wedges and tomatoes.
In a small bowl or measuring cup whisk together juice from half of the lemon, olive oil, dried oregano, chili flakes and pinch of salt and pepper.
Pour the olive oil mixture over the feta, peppers, onions and tomatoes and use a spoon to gently toss with the vegetables. Flip the feta back/forth in the olive oil mixture too.
Slice the other half of the lemon into wedges and add to the baking dish as well.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the feta has softened and tomatoes are starting to burst.
Serve with toasted bread, baguette, crackers or homemade pita chips .Serving notes: When serving this appetizer I like to leave the feta as the centrepiece with the vegetables around; then, people can take as much or as little to spread on their bread or crackers and then top with the vegetables. You can keep everything in the pan you baked it in and let it cool a bit before serving OR transfer the feta as the centrepiece to a serving dish, pour over all the juices and vegetables from the baking dish then serve.
Notes
You can also serve this appetizer as a main dish: when the feta is finished baking, stir the feta and vegetables together to create a sauce and then mix in cooked pasta or gnocchi.
While this appetizer is most delicious on the day it's made, it can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days. You could warm it up the next day on medium-low in a pan and add some pasta; use it as a spread on a sandwich or in a wrap; add the leftovers to a salad; or, reheat gently in a microwave or pan and then enjoy with bread again!