Whipped Lemon Feta Spread

Cheese and crackers is the appetizer to end all appetizers.  It’s easy for the host to put out and it’s always a crowd pleaser for the guests.  Sounds like a win win to me.  Typically I’ll serve it in addition to other homemade appetizers.  What’s one more appetizer, right?  (Occupational hazard of being half Greek and half Italian… there always has to be loads of food options available.)  Plus, I like knowing that I have a hunk of cheese and box of my favorite crackers lying around as Plan B, just in case I screw up making something.  I’m always thinking.     😉  This cheese and cracker duo looks like I brought it straight from the store, when in fact I whipped it up in a matter of minutes.

This delicious feta cheese spread is super lemony.

09Whipped Lemon Feta Spread

Whipped Lemon Feta Spread Recipe
(Makes about 1 cup)

Ingredients:

  • 6 ounces feta cheese
  • 2 ounces of 1/3 less fat cream cheese (also known as Neufchatel cheese)
  • lemon zest of 1/2 a lemon
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions:

  1. In a food processor, blend together the feta cheese, Neufchatel cheese, lemon zest, salt, and pepper until it’s smooth.

 

Source:  Tina’s Chic Corner

 

I love many of those fancy cheese spreads that you can find in the expensive cheese area of the grocery store.  It was lots of fun creating my own version at home.

When I was planning the appetizer menu for a family gathering, I wanted to make a spin on a feta cheese and watermelon salad.  I thought a simple homemade feta cheese spread made with just feta cheese and cream cheese, smeared on some watermelon slices would be fabulous.  I was wrong.  It actually tasted quite odd.  Great, so now what?  I do have my trusty block of pepper jack cheese in the fridge that I could put out instead, but I was determined not to give up or waste my feta cheese.  (Which seems to have skyrocketed in price lately for some reason.)

I turned to the internet to brainstorm and nothing inspired me.  Then I remembered that fabulous Tomato And Herbed Goat Cheese Sandwich that I made a few weeks ago and I instantly found my source of inspiration.  Lemons!  That goat cheese is loaded with herbs and lemon zest… lemons are a great Mediterranean ingredient… feta cheese is THE Greek cheese to have… lemon zest + feta = one amazing flavor duo!  Who knew that this cheese and cracker dish would be my Plan B?     😉

03Whipped Lemon Feta Spread

This spread is super creamy and loaded with lemony goodness.  The sour flavor from the lemon zest is a surprisingly awesome compliment to the tangy feta cheese.  I think anything with a lemon flavor is super refreshing when it’s hotter outside so this is the perfect appetizer to serve on a Spring day.

You can also make this a day or two or few ahead of time.  It’s been a few days and I’m still enjoying the leftovers.     🙂

I used some good old fashioned Ritz crackers because I had them handy, but really any cracker will be a great companion for this spread.  In fact, this lemon feta spread would also taste amazing with veggies if you wanted to go carb free.  My husband stuck his finger in it, so obviously something to dip doesn’t even have to be food.

06Whipped Lemon Feta Spread

What’s your go-to appetizer?

 

 

Rating:

4 Hats

 

Here are some other easy awesome appetizers.

Cucumber Yogurt Dip

06Sweet Potato Fries

Chipotle Ranch Dip

04Crispy Baked Onion Rings

Black Bean Spread

05Black Bean Spread

Comments

  1. HAHA, isn’t it a bummer when you taste something that in theory sounds really yummy, and its not. Its such a let down. Although, nice save, love feta and reckon a bit of lemon juice with it would be wonderful. Hmmm… go to appetiser… I can’t remember the last time I actually entertained and served an appetiser, wow, thats really bad. Guess Im a lazy host and would prob just serve a block of some stinky blue cheese and some crackers. That sounds delightful doesn’t it? Bet you can’t wait for an invite for dinner at my place. 🙂

    1. Tina says:

      I’d love an invite! I’ll bring the appetizer. 😉

  2. I could make a meal out of crackers and cheese. It’s dangerous when they’re served as an appetizer because I end up eating way to many of them, and then I’ve lost my appetite for dinner. Worth it! Can’t wait to try this whipped lemon feta cheese!

    1. Tina says:

      OMG, I totally make meals out of crackers and cheese! 🙂

  3. my go-to appetizer is usually some kind of phyllo with cheese and nuts! People love it and it takes approx 5 mins to make!

    1. Tina says:

      That sounds amazing Davida!

  4. Tina, this spread sounds phenomenal! My husband is obsessed with cheese and crackers so we will definitely be whipping up a batch of this!

    1. Tina says:

      Awesome! Thanks so much. 🙂

  5. Ashley says:

    I always have cheese as an appetizer at parties! (in addition usually to other stuff!). It’s a necessity for a cheese lover like myself : ) haha this looks awesome! I love anything involving feta!

    1. Tina says:

      Hehe…that’s awesome we are twinsies. 🙂

  6. Oh yes, lemon and feta. I bet this is so good! I will make this soon.

    1. Tina says:

      Lovely! 🙂

  7. I love anything with feta cheese and I also love how easy this is! Great recipe Tina!

    1. Tina says:

      Thanks so much Mike!

  8. Tahnycooks says:

    These dip pictures made my mouth water! Super yum! Pinned!

    1. Tina says:

      Glad you like! Thanks so much for pinning. 🙂

  9. I love lemon and feta, so this combination sounds wonderful! What a creative twist on a fun spread!

    1. Tina says:

      Thanks! 🙂

  10. Mary Frances says:

    I’m so glad this plan b worked out! No wonder, lemon is such a versatile and delicious ingredient. This would be the star of the app table, for sure!

    1. Tina says:

      Thanks so much Mary Frances!

  11. Ok, so easy but SOOO fancy! I think people would flip if I brought this to a get-together! Tina, you always make me believe I can make classy foods 🙂

    1. Tina says:

      You made my day! Thank you so much for your kind words! You CAN do it. 🙂

  12. I’m fairly certain I could eat this for lunch with nothing else. This looks delicious…and like your husband, I may or may not actually use the Ritz crackers! 🙂

    1. Tina says:

      Hehe…that’s awesome!

  13. marcie says:

    This is my kind of spread — this lemony whipped feta looks incredible, Tina! 🙂

    1. Tina says:

      Thanks!

  14. I have a similar recipe only with ricotta. I must try it with feta. This is dangerously good.

    1. Tina says:

      Ooh the ricotta version sounds delicious and I need to give that a try!

  15. Whipped Feta sounds delicious! I can’t have people over without putting some type of appetizer out. Cheese and crackers are always easy and everyone enjoys them. Fancy cheese is always better 😀

    1. Tina says:

      Oh yea! 🙂

  16. I could eat cheese and crackers all day everyday! I love this whipped lemon feta spread and I know that I will want to put it on everything!!

    1. Tina says:

      I’m with ya…I’ve been known to eat cheese and crackers for dinner. 🙂

  17. This is so unique! I just love lemon anything! Coupled with the salty feta…total yum! Can’t wait to try it!

    1. Tina says:

      Awesome! I hope you love it just as much as I do. 🙂 I appreciate you stopping by!

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