Whipped Feta Dip with Harissa
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This creamy whipped feta dip with harissa is something sooo special, it’s got to be my new favourite dip. The cream cheese & feta whipped combination, accompanied by the Tunisian harissa paste, is such a striking pairing that you’ll want to eat the whole dip yourself.
Table of Contents
Why this recipe works
You may have seen the viral whipped feta dip everywhere, but with the addition of the smoky & spicy harissa oil, I can guarantee this will be your favourite.The tangy creamy feta perfectly balances the spicy chilli peppers and garlic to bring you an eclectic mix of full flavours.
This recipe has a healthy twist, offering protein from the feta and cream cheese with antioxidants from the spices, lemon, parsley and garlic and of course those essential omegas from olive oil, this dip provides an amazing balance of nutrients and a sophisticated appetizer for summer lunches.
The pairing options are endless! It goes with flatbreads, couscous, stir it into sauces (I made a delicious pasta recipe the other day with it) or enjoy with some crisps.
Ingredients
Feta
The star of the show. The salty, rich and tangy feta that we usually find crumbled in a salad, is whipped into the most flavourful dip/spread. Use full fat here so the flavour profile and nutrients are maximised. Try another favourite recipe using feta; Pink Sauce Pasta (Tiktok Pasta)
Cream Cheese
I have opted to use low fat cream cheese here to slightly reduce the calories and fats. We already have a whole block of feta in this recipe, which we will be receiving the nutrients and flavour from the fats, so we can afford to use low-fat cream cheese here. Promise the flavour won’t be compromised!
Try some other tasty recipes using cream cheese: Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake, Creamy Philadelphia Chicken Pasta and Garlic and Herb Cream Cheese
Lemon Juice
With all the richness of the cream cheese, we need an extra bit of acidity/tang to cut through the creaminess and brighten up the flavour. Enter lemon juice. I haven’t tried lime juice but can imagine that would do the job just fine. Preferably use fresh lemon juice to maximise the flavour and nutrients, but if you only have bottled lemon juice, use that instead.
Harissa Pasta
Apologies, I have chosen a slightly expensive ingredient here, but this dip is for special occasions and the harissa paste it what brings it to a 10. You’ll only be using 1 tbsp of harissa paste, so to keep the costs down of your weekly shopping bill.
See the recipe card for full information on all ingredients and quantities.
How to make this recipe
- To make the dip, start by adding the feta, cream cheese, lemon juice and garlic to a food processor. Add some salt (Image 1).
- Blend together until you have a smooth and creamy dip (Image 2).
3. Measure the extra virgin olive oil and harissa paste (Image 3).
4. Mix together in a dish to make this great combination before seasoning with a pinch of salt (Image 4).
5. In the meantime cut your flat breads in halves and toast them ready to serve with the cheesy dip added to a serving bowl (Image 5).
6. Add a swirl of the harissa oil over the top, before adding a few fresh curly parsley leaves. Add a sprinkle of paprika and you are ready to impress with this beauty! (Image 6).
Tips and Tricks
- Leave the feta at room temperature to allow it to soften about 30 minutes before whipping. This will make it easier to blend and create a smoother dip.
- Use a food processor or blender to achieve that smooth and creamy texture.
- Add the extra virgin olive oil to the harissa paste to make that swirl!
- Add lemon juice to brighten the flavours and add a tangy kick and add a squeeze at a time to taste.
- Season with salt and pepper, but take care as the feta cheese is naturally salty, so taste the dip before adding additional salt.
Here are some sweet recipes to try ; Chocolate Tiffin Recipe, Chocolate Chip Microwave Cookies and Nutella Blended Baked Oats (Tiktok Inspired)
FAQs
Harissa is a Tunisian hot pepper chili paste, with the primary ingredient being roasted red peppers. The level of spice can be dependent on the brand so this could be something to research if your worried about the heat!
You might be wondering how feta has such a unique flavour when compared to other cheeses. This is due to the main ingredient being sheep’s milk (or a mixture of sheeps/goats milk). I love using it in recipes as although it is high in fat, you can use less of it (in comparison to other cheeses) as it has such a powerful, tangy flavour.
Store the dip in the fridge for maximum freshness. Once refrigerated though, the dip becomes more of a spread so bare that in mind. If you want to enjoy it as a dip again after refrigerating, set aside to come up to room temperature for an hour before consuming. Consume within 5 days of preparing to stay safe (although I have waited longer). You can freeze this too if you’re worried about leaving it for too long- I don’t think that’ll be an issue though as it’s that good hehe.
Try some other dips after you have tried this recipe; Easy Tzatziki (Greek Yogurt Cucumber Dip) and Crispy Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites with Chilli Mayo
If you tried this Whipped Feta Dip with Harissa recipe, it would be mean so much to me if you could leave a review & a star rating to let me know how you found it! I love hearing about your experiences – it motivates me to keep creating more and more recipes for you guys 💛 Let’s get cooking! – Mimi x
Whipped Feta Dip with Harissa
Ingredients
- 200 g feta (£0.75)
- 200 g low fat cream cheese (£0.79)
- ½ lemon, juiced (£0.59/4)=(£0.15)
- 1 clove of garlic, minced (£0.69/3)=(£0.23)
- 1 tbsp harissa paste (£2.00/2)=(£1.00)
- 320 g (4 pack) flatbreads (£1.35)
- Bunch of fresh parsley (£0.50)
Cupboard Essentials
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Sprinkle of paprika
- Salt
Method
- Start by adding the feta, cream cheese, lemon juice and garlic into a food processor. Season with salt and blend on high until whipped. This will take around 2 minutes.
- Combine the harissa paste with extra virgin olive oil, season with a pinch of salt.
- Toast your flatbreads.
- Add the feta dip into a serving bowl and drizzle over the harissa oil. Swirl the oil into the dip slightly for the aesthetic look and then add a pinch of paprika and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Dip and enjoy!
Notes
- Leave feta at room temperature for 30 minutes before whipping to soften it and create a smoother dip.
- Use a food processor or blender for a smooth and creamy texture.
- Mix extra virgin olive oil with Harissa paste to create a swirl. Add lemon juice gradually for tangy flavor, and season with salt and pepper to taste, considering the natural saltiness of feta cheese.
Nutrition
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