Potato circles with feta

Holmes, Christina, and Alison Roman. 'A Guide To Feta Types, From Greek To French To Bulgarian - Bon Appétit'. Bon Appétit. N.p., 2014. Web. 10 May 2015.

Feature Ingredient: Feta

A popular Greek cheese that is traditionally made of a mixture of goat and sheep's milk, which is brine cured to enhance the salty and tangy taste, and the firm texture. Generally, the flavour and firmness of the feta varies from the region it is produced in, although the texture usually depends on the age of the cheese. An interesting fact on feta is that it is protected by European Union Legislation; only cheeses produced in a traditional way with traditional ingredients, and are produced in the country/region of origin, may bear the name "feta", otherwise, they are referred to as white cheese. Feta is commonly used as a table cheese that can eaten marinated with olive oil, for example. It is also traditionally used in Greek salads and also pastries. Here's an interesting video on how feta is produced commercially. Below is a recipe that uses crumbled feta to add a tangy saltiness, originally from the the recipe book "A Year Full Of Recipes" pg. 211, with changes made from myself after making the recipe.

Recipe: Potato circles with feta

Serves 4 - 6

Ingredients:

5 garlic cloves, peeled

1 tsp sea salt

4 tbsp olive oil

3 large potatoes 

40g crumbled feta cheese

Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Method:

1. Scrub the potatoes and slice into 0.5cm thick pieces. Steam over boiling water for 7 minutes or until only just tender. Assemble onto a tea towel in a single layer to dry/absorb moisture. 
2. Meanwhile, using a mortar and pestle, crush the garlic cloves with sea salt until smooth paste. Mix in the olive oil and then using a brush lather the now dry potato pieces. Alternatively, you can toss the potato circles into a bowl the the mixture and mix that way. 
3. Layer the potatoes onto a hot grill for 10 - 15 minutes (flipping sides in between) or until golden with char marks and tender when pierced with the tip of a knife. 
4. Arrange the potato circles with the crumbled feta and parsley on top.

Some photos:

Scrub the buds well, slice into about 1.5cm thick slices, cutting off any strange bits if necessary.

Place the potatoes in the steam basket; make sure to put enough water at the base of the sauce pan. 

After steaming, the sliced potatoes, allow them to dry on a tea towel.

Meanwhile, using a mortar and pestle, crush the garlic and mix with sea salt and extra virgin olive oil.

Brush the potatoes with the garlic mixture and set on the grill. 

Grill until golden brown.

Crush up some feta.

Sprinkle over the potato pieces and garnish with roughly chopped parsley. 

Ratings/Comments:

Price: 2/5

Difficulty: 2/5

Taste: 4/5

Overall: 4/5

(1 being low - 5 being high)

Very affordable with very few ingredients needed, yet super flavourful. The creamy feta with the warm soft and crisp potato circles work well, topped with the fresh parsley makes a fresh and colourful appetiser. This would be suitable for a lunch or dinner, or even a cocktail party - you could add them onto skewers. Furthermore, it's not difficult! It's very versatile - if you ever have an impromptu lunch or dinner party, you can quickly whip this up and will impress your friends and family (although only you will know how easy it is). 

- C