Nectarine and Feta Flatbread

Remember when I received that boat load of Euphrates Feta cheese??

First there was the delicious Whipped Feta & Roasted Red Pepper dip.  Then I started adding feta into my salads, sandwiches, and pastas dishes!  All were delicious, but nothing really worth it’s own post…until now!

Ever since the Feta arrived, I knew I wanted to make some sort of flat bread, but I wanted to try out some new flavors instead of the usual go-to feta pairings...lemon, tomato, capers, etc.  Not that they aren’t delicious, but I tend to eat them all the time.   

I actually consulted my copy of The Flavor Bible to get inspired.  This book is great if you’re looking for a new way to mix things up.

The Flavor Bible: The Essential Guide to Culinary Creativity, Based on the Wisdom of America's Most Imaginative Chefs

 

 

 

 

I also knew I wanted something with a sweet/savory blend, and I came out with pairings of honey and grapes from my search of feta cheese.  I still do want to try this out with grapes, but nectarines/peaches are so good right now and the combination just sounded delicious to me!

Ripe nectarine, fresh thyme, salty feta, and a drizzle of sweet honey…

For the dough, I used a batch of homemade white whole wheat dough I had in the freezer, back from when I made grilled pizza last month.

You could use homemade dough, or any fresh dough you want to buy from the grocery store or your favorite pizza shop!

Get your pizza stone in the oven and preheat for at least 30 minutes, at 500 degrees.

Rolling/stretching your dough onto parchment is the easiest way to transfer your pizza to the stone.

Toppings:  brush of olive oil, sliced fresh nectarines, crumbled feta, chopped thyme, and a drizzle of honey.

8 minutes in the oven, and you have a chewy crisp crust, bubbling hot feta, and even juicier fruits.

Nectarine and Feta Flatbread
Served 2 as a meal, but I had a smallish batch of dough equivalent more to a “small” size pizza, therefore my quantities of toppings were for that size of a flatbread.  Adjust to cover whatever size you make.

Prep time – inactive 30-45 min for the pizza stone
                       active – 10 min
Cook time – 8-10 min

• 1 batch/ball of pizza dough
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 ripe nectarine, halved and sliced
• 3-4oz feta cheese, crumbled
• 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme (3-4 sprigs worth)
• 1-2 tsp honey, just a light drizzle over the whole flatbread

1. Pre-heat oven with pizza stone inside (if using) to 500 degrees, for at least 30 minutes.
2. Place a piece of parchment paper on top of a pizza peel or unrimmed backing sheet.
3. Roll or stretch out your dough as thin as you’d like.
4. Brush dough with olive oil
5. Evenly place your nectarine slices around the dough, then crumbled feta, followed by a sprinkling of thyme.
6. Finally, lightly drizzle honey over your flatbread. 
7. Slice parchment and flatbread onto hot pizza stone in your oven.
8. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until cheese is bubbling and crust is just getting golden. 
9. Let sit for a few minutes before serving.

Brian and I easily polished this off.

I LOVED this flavor combination!  This flatbread is best served hot out of the oven while the feta is nice and melty :) 

I really want to make this again soon…like now, just need more dough, because lord knows I have enough feta! 

Whipped Feta & Roasted Red Pepper Dip

This dip was the first thing that came to mind when I was contacted about trying Euphrates Feta cheese!

First, the cheese.  I’m sure you’ve all tried, and most of you love, Chobani Greek yogurt!  I know I do, and I was lucky enough to receive a whole box of it last winter to enjoy and try out in some baking!

Well, did you know before Chobani, its founder started a cheese company making some delicious feta!??  This was news to me, but I perked right up when I saw the word “FETA”.  Mmmm. 

So, when asked if I’d like to try some out to develop a recipe, I jumped at the chance!

Little did I know how much feta I’d have to work with ;)

Not one, but TWO

BLOCKS!!!  No joked, I weighed them….about 9lbs total!! 

Not that I’m complaining, but it just surprised me :)  In a good way.

I have a few recipe ideas, but this is the first I’m sharing.

I know I’ve mentioned it before, but one of my all time favorite restaurants is was on Martha’s Vineyard, until we learned this summer that it had closed :(   Sad, sad day.  Well the restaurant, The Mediterranean, had my friend and I’s most favorite dish ever… The Whipped Feta Rouille. 

We’d dream about it, and talk about it all year leading up to our trip. 

It was that dip which inspired me to try to re-create something with that same delicious flavor we loved so much. 

Not going to lie, I cam REALLY close!  I know it’s not exactly the same, as I definitely did not have the “urfa” and “Maras” in the menu description, but it had that same great flavor and slight kick. 

Whipped Feta & Roasted Red Pepper Dip

• 14 oz Feta Cheese
• 7 oz jar of Roasted Red Peppers (drained)
• 1 clove garlic
• juice from half of a lemon
• 3/4 cup chickpeas (canned)
• 3 T bread crumbs
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (more or less to taste)
• 1 tsp paprika (more for dusting)

Basically, you just combine all the ingredients into a food processor (or blender) and blend until smooth.  It will have a similar consistency to hummus. 

Feel free to play around with the quantities to your liking.

This also makes a lot of dip, about 3 cups.  I’d say a good amount to bring to a party, but if you’re just making it for home you might want to half the recipe. 

Serve at room temperature.  It will thicken a bit in the fridge, still good just thicker. 

HEATED!  I tried heating a little serving for myself the other day.  10-15 seconds in the microwave…divine.  The feta gets all melty and delicious :) 

I bet it would be delicious served as a baked dip!

Enjoy!

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Now for the winner of the “Summer in a Box” giveaway…

Elizabeth!!  Her response to staying organic this summer:

“Managing a farmers' market, it's pretty hard for me not to. ;) All the stuff looks fabulous! “

Congrats!  Email me your mailing info and I’ll have the package sent along to you! :)