Are there any greek ladies here? Or anyone who can help me to make the peppery feta cheese dip im obsessing about?

[geraldinetheluckygoat]

I lived in northern greece for a few months years ago, and loved the feta cheese dip we used to get with the kebabs, and that used to come out with all the meals, they used to call it tirosalata. It was feta cheese dip with loads of black pepper. I keep trying to make it and failing. Am obsessed. I dreamed about this, literally all through both pregnancies....please help!!!!!!

I've just googled tirosalata and there are loads of recipes - it sounds blooming gorgeous.

yeah, the recipe i want i dont think has chopped peppers, it was more with ground black pepper i think.....i am wondering if it might have been a local variation or something.....

It has peppers but not the round ones that you have in UK. They are long ones, green and very hot.Only in Northern Greece, my aunt lives there. Thats why the authentic tirosalata is hot.

Hmmm why did you remind me this now? i want some!!!!

Basically you just fry the peppers in olive oil, chop them and mix with feta cheese, mash it all together with a fork

mmmmmmm i really want ones, so could I use those big green chillies do you think instead? So its just peppers chopped up and then mashed with the cheese? Ive seen some recipes with cream cheese and lemon juice as well, is this something different? I will have to have an experiment this weekend!!

Yes i think with green chilli should be ok. Will try the same tonight because you ve made me to crave it too, and even here in Cyprus i havn't seen those peppers, they prob only exist in Northern Greece.But chilli ones are very similar.

I dont know about the other recipe with the cream cheese, but i like feta anyway. And i ll have mine with ouzo!

cream cheese and lemon and what? I've never seen cream cheese in greek recipes but lots of feta with lemon or houlloumi recipes.

I haven't heard of this one but sounds delicious - tell us how it works with green chillies because if it works I might give it a try. Do you think those peppers that you get fried and salted in spanish restuarants would work? Piementos?

I bizarrely have all the ingredients for a good tzatiki (spelling, sorry!) at home so plan to make some as it's always better than the yucky stuff you buy at the supermarket.

Here's how I do it:

mash up the feta, with a bit of natural yoghurt. Add loads of black pepper and a chopped green chilli. Gobble up without sharing....

the cream cheese recipe here
but although it sounds lovely, the more i read the ingredients its different to the one im thinking of!
YUM Tiramisu, did you make it? Which peppers did you use?? lol. I need to try this at the weekend too, no ouzo here though will have to order dp to get me some on the weekly shop!!
Im going to use those massive green chillies you get in kebab shops for mine........and will be following janeite's instructions about not sharing...

Hi,
yes it is yummy!

I used Janeite's tip and add some greek yoghourt too. And chopped the chilli very very tiny.

I did share though but made a big bowl . And lovely olives, and aubergines and ouzo!!

It is all your fault

oh god i need some NOW!! your feast sounds fantastic, can you post some over?

Oh yum. I am soooo making this at the weekend. What did you do with the aubergines?

I wish I hadn't read this. I'm so hungry now.

Go for it Janeite, and report back please!!
well while youre all on here, can you also instruct me on how to make an authentic greek goat stew (the other thing i harp back to and want to eat again)....my local asian butcher bizzarely has goat on offer at the moment and its got me thinking....

I ve made melitzanosalata which i ve learnt from my Cypriot MIL.

Roast aubergines in their skin (pierce them few times with a fork first) until they are soft.

Remove the flesh and put it in food processor with olive oil, lots garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, parsley, and some chilli. You can add a little of flesh of two tomatoes too.

Oh my goodness, that sounds gorgeous. I will definitely make this on Saturday (got to do nibbles for friend's party - argh).

Just wondering, what's 'half and half'? Also, any idea what an American 'cup' is in old money?

Tiramissu, with your greek dips you are really spoiling us.

Right, I'm doing that too. Sorted. Thankyou

My mil cooks the brain of goat for meze! Dont ask me for the recipe, i am vegetarian

lol @ tmwofq
figuring out cup measurement
figuring out half and half!

goat brain! We had sheep brain soup once in greece......not dying to recreate that one though really lol

Ive found a couple of recipes online, think i will bung all in slow cooker and hope for the best!

Aah, thanks Geraldine

at goat brain

(Doesn't that make you feel a bit, y'know, queasy Geraldine? Given that it might be one of your cloven hooved relatives and all that...)

no probs.
LOL I did think that after I posted it, just call me Hannibal....

Will try the aubergine thing too. I also make Greek style butter beans. Cook butter beans (or open a couple of tins if v lazy like me!). Fry up some finely chopped onion and some garlic, add a tin of tomatoes, some mint (fresh or dried), black pepper, I like a bit of paprika too. Cook it until the onions are soft then blitz it. Then gently heat the butter beans in the tomatoey minty sauce. Serve with homemade tsatziki (because the bought stuff is gruesome apart from the Total brand), pitta bread and Greek salad.

yum that sounds great too, havent had butter beans for ages....

Ooh, that sounds good. And as I was looking for something to go with my Tsatziki, I'm feeling all excited now.