In the realm of plant-based cooking, almond feta with herb oil stands as a testament to the ingenuity and versatility of culinary innovation. Bursting with flavor and brimming with nutritional goodness, this delightful dairy-free alternative has captured the hearts and palates of vegans, vegetarians, and flexitarians alike. Crafted from wholesome almonds, almond feta exudes a tangy, briny charm akin to its dairy counterpart, while the vibrant herb oil adds a burst of Mediterranean flair. Whether you seek a tantalizing appetizer, a delectable addition to your salads, or a creamy spread for your sandwiches, almond feta with herb oil is poised to elevate any dish to culinary stardom.
Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!
ALMOND FETA CHEESE WITH HERB OIL
Blanched almonds give this creamy-crumbly cheese a rich texture.
Provided by Vegetarian Times Editors
Categories Appetizers & Snacks, Condiment, Sides & Salads
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- 1. Place almonds in medium bowl, and cover with 3 inches cold water. Let soak 24 hours. Drain soaking liquid, rinse almonds under cold running water, and drain again. 2. Purée almonds, lemon juice, 3 Tbs. oil, garlic, salt, and 1/2 cup cold water in food processor 6 minutes, or until very smooth and creamy. 3. Place large strainer over bowl, and line with triple layer of cheesecloth. Spoon almond mixture into cheesecloth. Bring corners and sides of cloth together, and twist around cheese, forming into orange-size ball and squeezing to help extract moisture. Secure with rubber band or kitchen twine. Chill 12 hours, or overnight. Discard excess liquid. 4. Preheat oven to 200°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Unwrap cheese (it will be soft), and transfer from cheesecloth to prepared baking sheet. Flatten to form 6-inch round about 3/4-inch thick. Bake 40 minutes, or until top is slightly firm. Cool, then chill. (Cheese can be made up to this point 2 days ahead; keep refrigerated.) 5. Combine remaining 1/4 cup oil, thyme, and rosemary in small saucepan. Warm oil over medium-low heat 2 minutes, or until very hot but not simmering. Cool to room temperature. Drizzle herb oil over cheese just before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 170 calories
ALMOND "FETA" WITH HERB OIL
Blanched almonds give this cheese appetizer a rich texture. Unbaked, it's smooth and spreadable, while baking makes it crumbly like feta. It's easy to make ahead. -Mary Raymond, Chesterfield, Missouri
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Appetizers
Time 1h
Yield 1-1/2 cups.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Rinse almonds in cold water. Place in a large bowl; add water to cover by 3 in. Cover and let stand overnight., Drain and rinse almonds, discarding liquid. Transfer to a food processor. Add 1/2 cup water, lemon juice, 3 tablespoons oil, garlic and salt; cover and process for 5-6 minutes or until pureed., Line a large strainer with 4 layers of cheesecloth and place over a large bowl. Pour almond mixture into prepared strainer; bring up corners of cloth and tie with string to form a bag. Refrigerate overnight., Squeeze out any liquid; remove cheesecloth and discard liquid from bowl. Transfer ball to a parchment-lined baking sheet; flatten slightly into a 6-in. circle., Bake at 200° for 35-40 minutes or until firm. Cool. Refrigerate until chilled., In a small skillet, heat the thyme, rosemary and remaining oil over medium heat for 2 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Drizzle over almond mixture. Serve with crackers.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 122 calories, Fat 12g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 249mg sodium, Carbohydrate 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.
ALMOND 'FETA CHEESE' SPREAD WITH HERB OIL (VEGAN)
From the Fab Five list in the April 2009 issue of Vegetarian Times. I never thought I'd have enough time to make vegan "cheese," but because this was one of the editors' picks I gave it a shot, and I'm so glad I did! Though it's called "feta cheese," in the title, it really is a creamy spread. I told my DH that it was an "almond spread" and he loved it! Asked what kind of cheese I used in it, and was surprised to learn there was none. The recipe is really easy, but takes lots of waiting time (not included in the times). I'm listing it exactly like in the magazine. But for the oil topping at the end, I think 1/4 cup oil is too much. Personally, I'm cutting it back to 2 tablespoons next time. Enjoy! Edited to add: The original recipe in the magazine says to bake it 200F for 40 minutes, but as several reviewers noted here (and I agree) it's better in a hotter oven. Try 400F and watch for it to brown. Baking is only needed to turn it from creamy to crumbly, so it's completely up to you.
Provided by Wish I Could Cook
Categories Spreads
Time 55m
Yield 10 oz, 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Place almonds in medium bowl and cover with 3 inches of water. Let soak 24 hours. Drain and rinse.
- Puree almonds, lemon juice, 3 T olive oil, garlic, salt and 1/2 cup water in blender or food processor for 6 minutes or until really creamy.
- Place a triple layer of cheesecloth in strainer and spoon almond mixture onto cheesecloth. Bring sides together twist into an orange-sized ball and secure with a twist tie. Chill for 12 hours.
- Line baking sheet with parchment and transfer almond ball from cheesecloth. Shape to look like a 6" round of brie (about 3/4" thick). (Note, I just put it into a pretty pottery bowl and baked it. Then I could pour the oil on top and serve it. No parchment needed.).
- Bake 40 minutes or until top is slightly firm. Cool. Then chill.
- Combine 1/4 cup olive oil with herbs and heat over medium low heat until heated through but not simmering. Cool to room temperature and drizzle over almond spread just before serving.
- Spread on crusty bread or crakers. You'll love it!
Tips:
- Choose a firm, mild-flavored feta cheese for this recipe. Goat feta or sheep feta will also work well.
- To make the almond feta marinade, use a high-quality olive oil and fresh herbs. You can also add a bit of lemon zest or garlic powder for extra flavor.
- Let the feta cheese marinate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld and develop.
- Serve the almond feta with crackers, bread, or fruit. You can also use it in salads, sandwiches, or wraps.
- If you don't have time to marinate the feta cheese, you can simply crumble it and toss it with the herb oil. This will give it a quick and easy flavor boost.
Conclusion:
Almond feta is a delicious and versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes. It's a great way to add a bit of flavor and sophistication to your next meal. With its creamy texture and nutty flavor, almond feta is sure to be a hit with your friends and family. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting way to enjoy feta cheese, give almond feta a try!
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