Description
A flavorful and comforting dish featuring crispy roasted potatoes baked with creamy feta cheese, infused with aromatic herbs, garlic, and a touch of honey for sweetness. Perfect as a hearty side or a satisfying main course.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Potatoes and Seasoning
- 2 large baking potatoes
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp red chilli flakes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Feta and Flavorings
- 1 200g block of feta cheese
- 1 head of garlic (top cut off)
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/4 cup (20g) fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F) to prepare for roasting the potatoes and feta.
- Prepare Potatoes: Wash and cube the baking potatoes. Place them in a saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Par-boil the potatoes for 6-8 minutes until just tender but not fully cooked, then drain and steam dry for 2-3 minutes.
- Season Potatoes: Transfer the par-boiled potatoes to a baking dish. Add dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, red chilli flakes, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Stir well to ensure the potatoes are evenly coated with the seasonings and oil.
- Roast Potatoes: Place the baking dish in the oven and roast the potatoes for 30-40 minutes until they turn golden brown, crispy on the outside, and nearly cooked through.
- Add Feta and Lemon: Make space in the center of the baking dish and add the block of feta cheese. Optionally, dip one side of the feta in the seasoning before flipping it over to coat both sides. Squeeze half of the lemon over the feta.
- Prepare Garlic: Remove the head of garlic from the dish. Once cooled, squeeze the soft garlic cloves out of their skins and mash them gently with the flat of your knife. Set aside the mashed garlic.
- Continue Baking: Return the baking dish to the oven and roast for an additional 15 minutes to allow the feta to soften and the flavors to meld.
- Mix Garlic and Basil: Remove the dish from the oven. Add the mashed garlic mixture, juice of the remaining half lemon, and fresh basil to the roasted potatoes and baked feta. Gently stir with a spoon to combine all the ingredients without breaking up the feta too much.
- Finish and Serve: Drizzle the honey over the top along with some more fresh shredded basil. Serve warm and enjoy the creamy, flavorful baked feta potatoes.
Notes
- Par-boiling the potatoes ensures they roast evenly and develop a crispy exterior.
- You can adjust the amount of red chili flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- For a dairy-free alternative, substitute feta with a plant-based cheese, though the texture and flavor profile will change.
- Serving with a fresh green salad complements the rich flavors and adds freshness to the meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
