Sweet and Spicy Whipped Feta
Hot honey is, well, hot right now. And whipped feta is always a hit, so here’s a dip you need to try with what I like to call ‘deconstructed hot honey’. This sweet and spicy whipped feta is a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and salty and it pairs perfectly with demi-sec (or off-dry) Vouvray.
Vouvray is a lovely French white wine style made from the grape Chenin Blanc. It tends to have orchard fruit notes (like apple and pear) which makes it absolutely perfect with this orchard fruit filled appetizer! Vouvray can be anywhere from dry (not sweet) to lusciously sweet, but the best pairing will come from one with only a hint of sweetness. This matches the honey’s sweetness while tempering the intense saltiness and the spice (without killing it). Soon enough you’ll be sipping wine in the sunshine and this is exactly what you should be snacking on!
Sweet and Spicy Whipped Feta
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy Macedonian feta
- 1-2 tbsp Feta brine
- 2-4 tbsp Milk
- 1/4 lemon, juiced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 Gala apple, chopped
- 1 small pear, chopped
- 4 strips cooked bacon, chopped
- 2 tbsp Calabrian peppers, chopped
- 3-4 tbsp honey
- Garnish: Full Calabrian pepper
- French bread to serve
Instructions
- Melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Add chopped apple, pear, and bacon.
- Add chopped calabrian peppers and 2 tbsp honey and stir to coat.
- Cook for 5-10 minutes on medium-high heat.
- While apple/pear/bacon mixture cooks, prepare whipped feta. Add Macedonian feta to a medium mixing bowl along with feta brine, ~ 2 tbsp milk, and lemon juice.
- Whip using a hand blender until smooth and fluffy. Add more milk as needed 1 tbsp at a time until you reach your desired texture.
- Transfer whipped feta to a serving bowl and top with apple/pear/bacon mixture.
- Drizzle with more honey and garnish with a spicy Calabrian pepper (optional).
- Enjoy with soft French bread and a chilled glass of demi-sec Vouvray!
