Description
This Baked Feta Potatoes recipe features crispy par-boiled potatoes roasted with fragrant herbs and garlic, layered with creamy baked feta cheese, fresh basil, a touch of honey, and a hint of lemon and chili for a flavorful, comforting side dish or vegetarian main.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes and Seasoning
- 2 large baking potatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Cheese and Flavorings
- 1 200g block of feta cheese
- 1 head of garlic (top cut off)
- 1 lemon, halved
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 cup (20g) fresh basil
- 0.5 teaspoon red chili flakes
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200C (390F) to ensure it’s ready for roasting your potatoes and garlic.
- Prepare Potatoes: Wash and cube the potatoes. Place them in a saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Par-boil the potatoes for 6-8 minutes (no more than 10) until slightly tender, then drain and steam dry for 2-3 minutes to remove excess moisture.
- Season Potatoes: Transfer the potatoes to a baking dish. Add dried thyme, oregano, salt, black pepper, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Stir well to coat the potatoes evenly with the seasoning and oil.
- Prepare Garlic: Drizzle the garlic head with a little olive oil, wrap it tightly in foil, and place it into the baking dish alongside the potatoes.
- Roast Potatoes and Garlic: Roast in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes until the potatoes are golden, crispy, and almost cooked through.
- Add Feta and Lemon: Remove the baking dish from the oven and carefully take out the garlic. Place the block of feta cheese in the center of the potatoes, dipping it in the seasonings for extra flavor. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over everything.
- Continue Baking: Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes until the feta softens and begins to brown slightly.
- Mash Roasted Garlic: Once the garlic has cooled enough to handle, squeeze the softened garlic cloves out of their skins and mash them with the flat side of a knife until smooth.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir the mashed roasted garlic and juice of the remaining lemon half into the potatoes along with the fresh basil, gently mixing everything to combine with the baked feta.
- Finish and Serve: Drizzle the honey over the potatoes, sprinkle with red chili flakes, and garnish with shredded basil. Serve immediately and enjoy the balanced flavors and textures.
Notes
- Par-boiling the potatoes before roasting helps achieve a crispy exterior and a fluffy interior.
- You can adjust the amount of chili flakes based on your desired spice level.
- Use fresh herbs for the best flavor; dried herbs will work but fresh basil adds a bright note at the end.
- If you prefer a milder garlic flavor, use less mashed garlic or omit it altogether.
- This dish pairs well with grilled meats or as a vegetarian main served with a fresh salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: baked feta potatoes, Mediterranean potatoes, roasted potatoes, feta cheese recipe, herb roasted potatoes, garlic potatoes, vegetarian potato dish
