Tyrosalata

[Dips, Spreads, Mezze]

Years ago I got this recipe from a Greek friend from the Korinthos region.  In turn she got it from a local restaurant owner who had been a cheff on large cruise ships.  The recipe was not very specific and mentioned mixing soft feta cheese with peppers and adding some sesame. It was not clear at all if bell peppers or chily pepper was meant. TYRO in Greek means HOT, so it sugested me to try chily. This dish is also know as tyrokafteri.

For years I made this mezze with chily pepper (recipy 1).
Nowadays you can buy jars of lovely PEPPADEW peppers. They are amazing, sweet spicy not not to hot. They are just perfect for this dish......
Because I cant get "soft feta" here I take normal feta and add some cream cheese or a few spoons of   crème fraîche to make a soft and creamy dip. I Greece I had this dip made with green pepper btw.

Recipe 1

• abt 200 gr Feta
• abt 100 gr of cream cheese and/or some crème fraîche
• 1 tbs tahin (sesame paste)
• 1 small chili peper (or a few peppadews)

Crumble the feta and (with a (hand)blender) mix in the cream cheese and/or some crème fraîche.
Carefully take the seeds and white stuff fout of a small chily pepper and chop finely. (dont rub your eyes!) Haal voorzichtig(niet in je ogen wrijven). Mix the pepper in the creamed cheese and add some tahin for extra flavor

Recipe 2

After a few years the above recipe changed to this version

• abt 200 gr Feta
• 2 large pieces of grilled red bell pepper(from a jar) an quite a few peppadews
• 2 tbs tahin (sesame paste)
• 1 tbs sweet red  chili sauce(less when you use peppadews)
• 3 tbsl crème fraîche
• some lemon juice

Crumble the feta and mix with all intgredients with a (hand) blender until you have a nice paste.

This dip is served with some warm focaccia, french or pitta bread. If you dont like carbs, just serve with cucumber.

Enjoy with good company and good wine and....

Kalli Orexi