Zesty Feta Cauliflower Dip Recipe: A Flavorful Party Favorite
Creamy and Mediterranean-inspired, this feta cauliflower dip promises a delightful twist on traditional appetizers.
Cauliflower brings unexpected richness to the classic cheese spread.
Roasted florets blend seamlessly with tangy cheese, creating a velvety texture that surprises.
Herbs and garlic add depth to each spoonful.
Packed with nutrients, you’ll love how simple ingredients can become something extraordinary.
Minimal effort yields maximum flavor in this crowd-pleasing recipe.
Scoop it up with warm pita or crisp vegetables for an instant party favorite.
Feta Cauliflower Dip That’s Bold And Creamy
Feta Cauliflower Dip Ingredient List
Main Ingredients:Roasting Ingredients:Seasoning and Finishing Ingredients:Feta Cauliflower Dip Mixing Instructions
Step 1: Roast the Garlic
Preheat your oven to 400 °F.
Slice the top off a head of garlic to expose the cloves, drizzle generously with olive oil, then wrap tightly in foil.
Roast until the cloves are soft and aromatic (about 40 minutes), let cool briefly, and squeeze the tender garlic out of its skins.
Step 2: Roast Tomatoes and Olives
Meanwhile, toss cherry tomatoes and your choice of olives with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Spread them on a baking sheet and slide into the oven for the final 20 minutes of the garlic’s cooking time, until the tomatoes soften and begin to blister.
Step 3: Cook the Cauliflower
Steam or simmer cauliflower florets until just tender.
Drain thoroughly so your dip stays thick and creamy.
Step 4: Blend the Creamy Dip
In a food processor, combine the cooked cauliflower with crumbled feta, a splash of lemon juice, olive oil, the roasted garlic, and a little water or broth.
Pulse until silky smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
Taste and season with salt and pepper.
Step 5: Assemble and Garnish
Spread the warm dip on a shallow platter.
Scatter the roasted tomatoes and olives over the top, press a few extra roasted garlic cloves into the surface, then finish with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of fresh parsley or herbs.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Offer the dip alongside pita wedges, crisp crackers, veggie sticks, or toasted baguette slices.
Dig in while it’s warm for best flavor and texture!
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FAQs
Yes, it’s packed with nutrients. Cauliflower provides fiber and vitamins, feta offers protein, and roasted tomatoes and olives contribute healthy antioxidants and good fats.
Absolutely! Prepare the dip and roasted vegetables a day in advance. Store separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator and assemble just before serving.
Not really. A food processor helps create a smooth texture, but you can also use a blender or even mash ingredients with a fork for a chunkier consistency.
No problem. You can substitute with cream cheese, goat cheese, or ricotta for a similar creamy texture and tangy flavor profile.
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Feta Cauliflower Dip Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Creamy feta cauliflower dip brings Mediterranean charm to your appetizer spread, blending roasted cauliflower’s nutty warmth with tangy feta’s bold character. Smooth and irresistible, this recipe invites you to savor each spoonful of Mediterranean-inspired deliciousness.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 4 ounces (113 grams) feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 head garlic
Roasted Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 pint (473 milliliters) cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1/2 cup (75 grams) kalamata olives, pitted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for roasted tomatoes)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for cauliflower)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Additional Components:
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) water or broth
- Fresh parsley or herbs of your choice
- Olive oil, for drizzling
- 1 clove garlic, minced (or use some of the roasted garlic)
Instructions
- Prepare the roasted garlic by slicing off the garlic head’s top, exposing the cloves. Generously drizzle with olive oil and encase in aluminum foil, creating a sealed packet.
- Roast the garlic in a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven for approximately 40 minutes until the cloves become soft, golden, and emit a rich, aromatic fragrance.
- Allow the roasted garlic to cool slightly, then gently squeeze the tender, caramelized cloves from their papery skins.
- Simultaneously toss cherry tomatoes and olives with olive oil, seasoning with salt and pepper. Spread them on a baking sheet to roast during the last 20 minutes of the garlic’s cooking time.
- Cook cauliflower florets by steaming or boiling until they reach a tender, soft consistency. Thoroughly drain excess moisture.
- Transfer the cooked cauliflower to a food processor, combining it with crumbled feta cheese, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, roasted garlic cloves, and a splash of water or broth.
- Blend the mixture until achieving a smooth, creamy texture. Periodically scrape down the processor’s sides to ensure even consistency.
- Adjust the dip’s thickness by adding more liquid if needed, and season with salt and pepper to enhance the flavors.
- Artfully spread the cauliflower and feta dip onto a serving platter, creating an inviting base.
- Decoratively arrange the roasted tomatoes and olives atop the dip, creating a visually appealing presentation.
- Drizzle additional olive oil over the dish and garnish with fresh chopped parsley or herbs for a vibrant finish.
- Serve immediately alongside warm pita bread, crisp crackers, fresh vegetable crudités, or toasted baguette slices for dipping.
Notes
- Customize the roasting time for garlic and tomatoes based on their size and desired caramelization level to prevent burning.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like goat cheese or ricotta for unique flavor profiles and dietary adaptations.
- Use a high-powered blender for an extra silky smooth texture, ensuring no lumps remain in the dip.
- Control the consistency by gradually adding liquid during blending, creating a dip that ranges from thick spread to lighter sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 155
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 390 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Daniel Bruns
Founder & Culinary Innovator
Expertise
Recipe development for home cooks, Nutritional analysis and meal planning, Culinary education and food writing
Education
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations
Focus: Classical and contemporary cooking techniques, Culinary entrepreneurship and kitchen management, Menu development and food cost analysis
Daniel’s story started with flour on his face and a pie in the oven at his grandma’s house. He later sharpened his skills at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.
His goal? Recipes so simple you’ll want to cook every night. When he’s not whipping up one-pan wonders, Daniel’s outside picking herbs, hosting neighborhood cook-offs, or baking chocolate cakes with his kids, messy, sweet, and unforgettable.