I am so excited to share this recipe for Sesame Feta with Peppered Honey with you today because it is one of my favorites. Yes, like many popular Greek recipes, feta is the main ingredient! In America I buy Dodoni feta at Costco in bulk because we use it so often. Today’s recipe is a very popular appetizer in Greece and we used to serve it at our restaurant. These days I prepare it when we have people coming over and there are never any leftovers
The ingredients for this dish are very simple. I typically buy both colors of sesame seeds and mix them together at home. However, if you can find a mix of sesame seeds in the store you can go ahead and buy that. This dish is also naturally gluten-free and nut-free, which is helpful if you are accommodating various dietary requirements.
Preparing the feta does not take long. It is critical that you take your time coating the feta with sesame seeds very carefully. You want to make sure they are fully adhered to the cheese so they don’t wash off in the hot oil. After that it is merely a matter of frying the cheese to create the crust and warm the cheese through so it becomes soft, but not too gooey.
When the feta is cooked you should drizzle it with the honey and pepper immediately. I serve it with freshly grilled pita wedges, but you could also serve it with vegetables or pita chips. I love how the toasted sesame crust cracks a little when you cut into the cheese. The honey and pepper make it a savory sweet bite, with creamy salty feta at the core. This is always a crowd please and I can guarantee that your friends and family will love it as much as we do. Enjoy!
Feta Saganaki | Sesame Crusted Feta with Peppered Honey
This is a great appetizer that is made on the stovetop and served whole at the table. Guests slice pieces and enjoy them with freshly grilled pita or sliced baguette. I love the juxtaposition of flavors with the pepper, honey, and salty feta. It is sweet and savory all at once.
Makes 4 to 6 servings
1 piece Feta (½ pound)
½ cup black sesame seeds
½ white black sesame seeds
1 cup water
1 cup corn starch
1 cup vegetable oil
Honey for drizzling
½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
About an hour before cooking, remove the feta from the container and wrap it in a clean paper towel to drain the brine. You want the feta to be as dry as possible before you begin.
Place three small, shallow bowls on the countertop. In the first one pour the black and white sesame seeds and stir them together. Fill the second bowl halfway with water. Add the cornstarch to the third bowl.
Add the oil to a medium skillet over medium heat and allow it to warm up.
Crust the feta with sesame seeds: While the oil warms dip the feta on the water so that it is coated on all sides. Then, dip it in the cornstarch and coat the feta on all sides. Return the feta to the water and coat the feta again on all sides so it is damp. Then, move the feta to the sesame seed mixture and press the feta into it, pressing down carefully, and turning it is needed so the feta is completely coated with sesame seeds on all sides.
Place the feta in the pan with the warm oil and turn the heat to low to prevent burning. Cook the feta for 3-5 minutes on one side, then flip the feta and cook it on the other side for 3 minutes. The sesame seeds will be light brown and toasted.
Transfer the cooked feta to a small serving plate. Drizzle it with a small amount of honey and sprinkle the black pepper on top.
Nikki Glekas is the owner of Nikki Glekas Events, a full-service catering and events company located in Stamford, CT. She is currently operating with COVID-safe procedures and is happy to discuss your event and catering needs with you. To discuss further please contact team@nikkiglekasevents.com or call 203.658.8659.