This traditional Greek spicy whipped feta dip-tirokafteri is a rustic, delicious appetizer served with pitas, crackers, or cut-up veggies.
What is tirokafteri
Tirokafteri is a Greek spicy whipped feta dip. Basically, it is is feta cheese mashed with a bit of olive oil and hot pepper.
Tirokafteri is also known as Ktipiti. The recipe of the dish may vary from region to region. Ingredients most commonly include feta cheese, hot peppers, roasted peppers, olive oil, lemon juice or vinegar, garlic, yogurt, and oregano. It is usually eaten as part of a mezze platter, or by itself, tapas-style with slices of warm bread, crackers, or pita.
Tirokafteri is also a great sauce with anything grilled, roasted chicken, steaks, or chops.
How to make it
Making spicy whipped feta is pretty easy. It does not require a lot of ingredients and can be ready -including roasting the peppers- in less than 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- Greek feta cheese. Every Greek household has a big block of feta in the fridge. Get the best you can find. See recipe card notes for details.
- Extra virgin olive oil. It would not be a Greek recipe without it!
- White wine vinegar. It adds brightness to this dip.
- Greek yogurt. The creamy texture helps the feta become fluffier and luxurious.
- Garlic cloves. No explanation is needed. Everything is better with a bit of garlic!
- Habanero peppers. Not for the faint of heart. Tread carefully. But you can use all kinds of hot peppers. Check recipe card notes for more info.
- Red pepper flakes. They add spiciness and can tweak the dip the way you prefer even after it is served.
Let's make it!
- Place the peppers in an oven-proof dish and broil, turning them frequently for 15-20 minutes or until peppers are charred and blistered. Let them cool until they are ok to handle.
- Wear plastic gloves and peel the skin off peppers and take out the seeds.
- In a food processor pulse the olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, and white wine vinegar.
- Add the yogurt, and feta pieces. Try adding only half a habanero pepper first, try with a spoon to check the heat, and build up with more pepper if you prefer it spicier.
- Whip up everything until it is really smooth.
- Serve with pitas, crackers, or crusty bread.
Tips & substitutions
- Substitute milk for yogurt. Start with ¼ of a cup at first, pulse, and add a little more until the dip has reached a nice thick and creamy consistency.
- You can use jarred roasted peppers instead of charring your own. Most available in stores are sweet so build up the heat by adding more red pepper flakes in the mix.
- Experiment with adding a little lemon juice instead of white wine vinegar.
You may also like
- Greek roasted gigantes Beans-gigantes plaki is amazing as a main dish or appetizer, tapas-style.
- This roasted tomato & olive appetizer is easy and fuss-free.
- This famous baked feta pasta gets the greek foodie treatment. It is quick and easy with a lovely tomato, fresh basil, and feta cheese sauce.
Check all the pantry items a Greek kitchen wouldn’t go without.
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Greek Spicy Whipped Feta Dip - Tirokafteri
Ingredients
- 1.1 lb greek feta cheese in brine 500 grams
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1-2 habanero peppers
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat the broiler.Place the peppers in an oven-proof dish and broil turning them frequently for 15-20 minutes or until peppers are charred and blistered. Let peppers cool until they are ok to handle.
- Wear gloves and peel skin of peppers and take out the seeds.
- In a food processor pulse the olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, and white wine vinegar. Add the peppers, yogurt, and feta pieces.Whip until smooth.
- Serve dip with roasted tomatoes, crackers, and grilled pita bread.
Notes
Nutrition
