Description
A delicious and easy-to-make baked feta potatoes recipe that combines crispy roasted potatoes with creamy baked feta, infused with herbs, garlic, lemon, and a touch of honey and fresh basil for a perfect balance of flavors. This dish is perfect as a comforting side or a vegetarian main dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes and Seasonings
- 2 large baking potatoes
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp red chilli flakes
Feta and Oil
- 200g block of feta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Additional Flavors
- 1 head of garlic (top cut off)
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/4 cup (20g) fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F) to ensure it’s ready for roasting the potatoes and baking the feta.
- Par-boil Potatoes: Wash and cube the potatoes, add them to a saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Par-boil for 6-8 minutes but no longer than 10 minutes, then drain and steam dry for 2-3 minutes. This softens the potatoes slightly before roasting.
- Season Potatoes: Place the par-boiled potatoes into a baking dish. Add dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Stir to coat the potatoes evenly in the seasonings and oil.
- Roast Potatoes: Roast the potatoes in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes until they become golden, crispy, and almost cooked through.
- Add Feta and Lemon: Place the block of feta in the middle of the tray. Dip one side of the feta in the seasonings and flip it over to coat both sides. Squeeze half of the lemon over the feta and potatoes.
- Prepare Garlic: Remove the garlic head from the dish once cooled. Squeeze the soft garlic out of its skins and mash it with the flat side of a knife. Set this mashed garlic aside for later use.
- Bake Again: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes to allow the feta to bake and flavors to meld.
- Combine Ingredients: Remove the dish from the oven. Stir the mashed garlic and the juice of the remaining half of the lemon into the potatoes. Add fresh basil and gently mix to combine the potatoes with the baked feta.
- Finish with Honey and Basil: Drizzle honey over the potatoes and scatter shredded basil on top to add sweetness and freshness.
- Serve: Serve the baked feta potatoes warm and enjoy this flavorful, herby, and creamy dish.
Notes
- Par-boiling potatoes before roasting ensures they get crispy on the outside while staying tender inside.
- You can adjust the amount of red chili flakes based on your preferred spice level.
- Fresh basil adds a bright, herbaceous flavor – feel free to substitute with parsley or oregano if preferred.
- For a vegan variation, substitute feta with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Use a sturdy baking dish to hold all ingredients comfortably during roasting.
