Description
This baked feta with sumac and grapes is a delightful Mediterranean-inspired dish featuring creamy feta cheese baked alongside juicy red grapes, pickled red onions, and fragrant dill. The sumac adds a tangy, citrusy note that complements the natural sweetness of the grapes and the savory feta, making it a perfect appetizer or light meal served with crusty bread or flatbreads.
Ingredients
Scale
Pickled Red Onions
- 1 small red onion, halved and sliced
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp golden caster sugar
- Pinch of salt
Main Ingredients
- 350g red grapes, left on the vine in small bunches
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 2 tsp sumac, divided
- ½ small pack dill, chopped (divided)
- 2 x 250g blocks feta
- Bread or sesame flatbreads, to serve (optional)
Instructions
- Pickle the onions: Place the sliced red onion in a bowl, add the red wine vinegar, golden caster sugar, and a pinch of salt. Massage the mixture with your fingers for about 1 minute to slightly pickle the onions and soften their flavor.
- Prepare the oven and dish: Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan) or gas mark 6. Scrunch up a sheet of baking parchment and line a gratin dish with it to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Toss grapes and seasonings: Add the red grapes to the lined dish. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of sumac, most of the chopped dill, and add seasoning to taste. Toss everything gently to ensure the grapes are evenly coated.
- Add feta and onions: Nestle the blocks of feta cheese among the grapes. Scatter over the pickled red onions along with any remaining pickling vinegar from the bowl. Drizzle the remaining olive oil and scatter the remaining sumac on top.
- Optional resting: At this point, you can refrigerate the assembled dish for up to 24 hours to allow flavors to meld or proceed straight to baking.
- Bake the dish: Place the gratin dish in the oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the feta is browning on top and the grapes have become juicy and soft.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven, scatter the remaining dill over the top, and serve immediately. Accompany with bread or sesame flatbreads for scooping up the cheesy, juicy mixture.
Notes
- If you prefer a more intense pickled onion flavor, increase the massaging time to 2 minutes.
- You can prepare this dish a day ahead by assembling it and storing it covered in the fridge before baking.
- Use good quality, ripe grapes for the best natural sweetness and juiciness.
- Serve warm for the best texture and flavor, but it can be enjoyed at room temperature as well.
- For a vegan alternative, substitute feta with a vegan cheese option and omit the dill if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: baked feta, sumac, grapes, Mediterranean appetizer, baked cheese, pickled onions, feta recipe, easy appetizer
