Feta cheese

[kefallon]

We have all tried it but do you know where the name came from....

What is Feta Cheese?
Feta is the most well-known, classic Greek cheese. Feta is made from sheep’s or goat’s milk. It’s a curd cheese cured in brine and is still made from unpasteurized milk by Greek shepherds in the mountains.
Although sometimes cow’s milk is used, the real Feta cheese should not contain it. Feta is an aged cheese and is commonly produced in blocks.
Feta is white and can range from soft to semi-hard blocks. The salty flavor can range from soft to sharp. Most feta cheese has 45% fat content (so it’s not really a “diet” cheese).
You will find it in salads (the Classic Greek Salad), in pastries and as a stand-alone meze. It’s commonly used in the spinach pie (spanakopita) and cheese pie (tyropita).


History
The first record about Feta cheese dates back from the Byzantine Empire. It was mostly produced in Crete and was known under the name of “fresh cheese”. The modern name “feta” comes from Italian. In Italian “fetta” means “slice” and the cheese got the name because of the way it is served (cut into thin slices).
After a long battle with Denmark –where cheese made from cow’s milk was sold as Feta – the term “Greek feta” is now used only within the European Union and is a protected designation of origin.
Similar Cheese
Similar cheese is produced all over the world in countries such as Albania, Bulgaria, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Macedonia, Malta, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Sudan, Turkey and Ukraine. In all these countries, the similar cheese has its own local name, while “Feta” refers only to the cheese imported from Greece.
How to make Classical Greek Salad (Horiatiki Salata)
Enjoy a bit of Greece in the comfort of your own…kitchen. Here’s what you need to make the Classical Horiatiki Salata:

• 2.8 oz (80 gr) tomatoes cut into cubes
• 2.1 oz (60 gr) cucumber peeled and sliced
• 2 oz (50 gr) feta cheese cut into large cubes
• 0.3 oz (10 gr) green peppers sliced
• 0.7 oz (20 gr) onion rings
• 0.3 oz (10 gr) escarole
• 4 black olives
• Fresh Oregano, Olive Oil, vinegar, Salt and Pepper

At the bottom of the bowl, place the escarole, then the tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, onion rings, feta cheese and oregano. Season it with olive oil and vinegar.

[skalarocks]

The modern name “feta” comes from Italian. In Italian “fetta” means “slice”

And in Greek the word "feta" means . . . "slice" (bread, bacon, cake, whatever)!

[Cato]

Escarole had me baffled till I googled it. It's a type of endive or chicory leaf.
We use Little Gem lettuce in our "Choriatiki salata" (by instinct!) and it works fine.
Can't wait for the real deal though, only six days to go ! Yay!!

[Eloise]

hmmm Greek salad,will have to get my other half to do this one as he misses the real deal! hes a better cook than me!. Great to see some recipes popping up, any more out there? Easy ones if poss!!

[john]

Eloise,
Here is a link to a site you might find interesting. It has hundreds of recipes, everything from soups and starters to main courses and desserts. There are cake and biscuit recipes too.
The dishes are usually illustrated too.
We use this site quite often and have had no problems following the instructions.

http://www.greekrecipe.com

[Eloise]

Cheers John, This should keep us busy in the kitchen for a while!

[jed]

We went to a BBQ yesterday after Jacks rugby triumph and the hosts did BBQ Feta.

It was wonderful. Slightly crunchy on the outside and liquid inside, served with a tiny pitta bread.

Neverr seen it done before.

Jed

[skalarocks]

Lettuce in Greek salad!?
What is the world coming to?

[Cato]

Lettuce in Greek salad!?
What is the world coming to?

Well I know what you mean, but over time I've had many variations, depending on where you are, it's probably a regional thing.
When you make it in cold, grey Britain, just the taste of the Feta and Olives make it feel Greek.
We had one in a tiny village somewhere off the beaten track in Thassos and the dear old lady put in whatever she had available, including the dreaded lettuce!

[Bell]

Found 3 lettuces on the porch yesterday. You can only do so much with a lettuce. Lettuce soup anyone.