Description
A creamy and vibrant Mediterranean appetizer featuring smooth whipped feta paired with sweet roasted beets and crunchy pistachios, enhanced by a tangy date molasses dressing and fresh dill.
Ingredients
Scale
Beets
- 3 small or 2 medium beetroot
- Sea salt, to taste
Whipped Feta
- 140g (5 oz) feta cheese
- 100g (3.5 oz) Greek-style yogurt
- Juice of 1/4 lemon
Dressing
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1/2 tbsp date molasses
- 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
Toppings
- Small handful roasted pistachios, chopped
- Small handful fresh dill, chopped
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Boil Beets: Halve the beetroot and place them in salted boiling water. Cook until tender, approximately 20 minutes. Drain and allow to cool completely.
- Blend Feta Mixture: In a food processor, blend the feta cheese, Greek-style yogurt, and lemon juice until smooth and creamy. Set aside this whipped feta.
- Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, date molasses, and 1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil to create the dressing.
- Marinate Beets: Peel the cooled beets and dice them into small pieces. Toss the diced beets with the prepared dressing and let them marinate for 5 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Plate the Feta: Use the back of a spoon to swirl the whipped feta onto your serving plate, creating a creamy base.
- Add Beets: Spoon the marinated beet pieces over the whipped feta, making sure to leave any extra marinade in the bowl to avoid sogginess.
- Top with Pistachios and Dill: Sprinkle the chopped roasted pistachios and fresh dill evenly over the beets for texture and freshness.
- Finish and Serve: Drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil over the dish and season with freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately as an elegant appetizer.
Notes
- Beets can be roasted instead of boiled for a deeper flavor.
- Use Greek-style yogurt for creaminess; regular yogurt can alter texture.
- Date molasses provides a subtle sweetness; substitute with honey if unavailable.
- Chill the whipped feta before serving for a refreshing taste.
- Serve with crusty bread or crackers for a complete appetizer experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: whipped feta, roasted beets, pistachios, Mediterranean appetizer, creamy feta dip, Greek yogurt, date molasses dressing
