The long weekend a few weeks ago proved to be as beautiful as the weatherman promised, if not more so. Other than the bites from the black flies and mosquitos, it was darn near perfect. High 20°C during the day, and cool enough to sleep in without having to turn on the heat. Perfect I say!
You may recall that I posted Sawsan’s recipe a while ago for feta and basil flat bread, but frankly my omission of the olive oil did not do it justice, at all. I had frozen about half the dough waiting on a perfect opportunity to try it again (the olive oil was to be added when rolling out the flat bread, so I was good to go!).
You see how flaky the flat breads became with the olive oil? We cooked them on a well oiled griddle on the BBQ because it was too hot to turn on the oven.
The long weekend presented the perfect time because we were in need of hors d’œuvres for cocktails; this time I did not skimp on the olive oil. Sawsan, I MUST say it was marvelous! JT said the BEST he has had. I had a hard time not sampling them (I did try a couple, OK, maybe a few, but that’s IT!). We shared them with JT’s sister (known as Sid) and husband and the Ceement Boy (nephew Brian — I’ll get into that story sometime soon). We had polished most of it off when Ceement Boy dropped his wine glass onto the side of the dish and it broke into smithereens! He was trying to keep up with me as I broke a wine glass the night before! The cheddar dip can be found here.
The flat bread could have been even better had I made my own feta, like John (from the Bartolini Kitchens) did here.
I will definitely make this lovely and tasty hors d’œuvres again
I am really glad the bread worked out better the second time Eva, I love how flaky yours turned out and I can’t wait to give it a try with the dip you suggested.
Thank you kindly for the shout out and for giving the recipe another go
Thank you Sawsan, sometimes one just should not alter a recipe! I’m very happy it worked out too.
You had a weekend of lovely weather? Ours was appalling. It did nothing but rain like Noah’s Flood. Our whole street was a river and the mould in our house is horrifying. Everything is so damp! I love the look of this. How great would this be with drinks. Shame about all the smashed glasses! Was very moved by your comment on my blog. That is so tragic – just like a movie storyline only true! Unbelievable xx
I am sorry your weather is bad, that kind of rain is rather depressing, and I’m allergic to mould.
Thank you for your comment, it was very sad for my Mom.
This is making me hungry, Eva, and it is not quite 4 AM here…
Yikes! Not you too? We’re going through a bout of waking at 4:30 up here…it’s an epidemic.
Thanks for your comment, Sharyn.
That looks like something I could eat every night!
Thanks Greg, it was a tasty treat.
This does sound like the perfect weekend cottage nibble and with an endorsement like JT’s, I’ve simply got to try this! Feta and basil is one gorgeous sounding combination and it’s suppose to be another beautiful weekend – will you be heading back to the cottage Eva? We are and I can’t wait! (finally have a free weekend – yay!!
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Hi Kelly, thanks but I’m sad to say we’re totally booked up until the Civic Holiday weekend.
Both recipes sound perfect for a nosh in the yard while waiting for the grill to work its magic on the main part of the meal. Heck! They’d be good if the only accompaniment was cocktails, too. I went back to see your cheese recipe and like I said back then, what’s not to love about caramelized onions and cheese?
Thanks for the shout out. I gave some of my Zia’s friends my feta and some store-bought. It was unanimous and one woman suggested I trash the store-bought. Hardly an impartial jury but, at the end, all of my feta was gone and the store-bought was only tasted.
I keep talking about trying to make your feta John, but my fear is that I’ll screw it up and have to toss the ingredients which I hate. I wish we lived closer so I could come over and assist you when you made it the next time. One of these days I’ll bite the bullet and give it a try.
Your flatbread looks fantastic. I wouldn’t go as far as making my own feta, but your flat breads are very tempting… (I will try to forget the dip because I would probably finish the whole batch alone and then feel guilty). You know, I often prefer to have snacks than “real” meals, so I can imagine it with some of the grilled pork rolls I keep on preparing…
Thanks Sissi, the fetal king is daunting but one of these days I will try it. The dip is rather tasty, but I know what you mean;)!
A perfect afternoon snack for me. I am a huge fan of homemade bread. These are fantastic.
Thanks Angie; you are quite the accomplished bread maker!
Your bread looks delicious my friend, a little flaky with awesome golden tan
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thanks CCU, very kind of you to say.
I love bread making bread at home but it lasts forever and I always have to freeze part of it so it’s never QUITE as good as when you just pull it out of the oven so I usually just end up drooling over these (your and Sawsan’s) recipes. They do look and sound like they would be quite tasty with that cheddar dip. The fall is probably the earliest I’ll start baking again when the nippy weather calls for a kitchen redolent of the yeasty smell of fresh baked bread and a big bowl of home made soup to eat it with.
Hi Maria, you can freeze raw bread dough, it actually continues to rise in the freezer until it freezes but at an incredibly slow rate. You can defrost at room temperature or in the fridge. When I want to bake bread during a weeknight, I’ll make the dough up one evening and proof it in the fridge overnight, then take it out around 4 allow it to come to room temperature, shape, rise again and bake!
Ahhh the aroma of home made soup and home made bread. Almost makes me wish it was fall, but not quite.
I know about freezing bread dough but I have to keep in mind … EMPTY the freezer, don’t keep filling it up.
That’s true, Maria. How is your pantry/freezer emptying going?
Mmmmm. This made me hungry the first time around and being as how it’s 7:30 and I’m still at work…it’s making me even hungrier this time. Glad you revisited it with the olive oil.
Thanks Kristy. Yikes working at 7:30, glad I was able to keep you company.
Wish I could have been there to break a glass, er, I mean share in this bread and cheese dip with you. I’m overwhelmed by the number of recipes I’d like to try out — and this is one of them!
Thanks Barb, one of these days you will break a glass, I mean share some appi’s on the deck again!
I know what you mean about the massive number of recipes to try, I’m going to give Charles’ chocolate cake this weekend for JTs birthday.
basil and feta? i’ve never thought of putting these two together! i must try this recipe!
Thanks Amanda, it was quite tasty.
There are some recipes where it is just not wise to skimp. Hope you have another fantastic weekend.
You are indeed correct Norma, this one truly benefited from the EVOO, making it crispy and flaky and chewy all at once. Hope you have a great weekend too.
I love making fresh bread-it really makes such a difference doesn’t it!
And adding flavours like basil and feta are just brilliant. I really want to make my own feta too 
Hi Lorraine, John’s recipe looks like it would be easy enough to make, my only fear is me screwing it up and having to toss the expensive ingredients…one day…sigh.
Oh, Eva…this really DOES look delicious! …and when I looked back, I see what you mean about the difference when the olive oil. Plus….FETA?! YUM! I hope you are well!
~Ann (of the old Cooking Healthy For Me)
Hi Ann, I am so glad you dropped by. Thank you for your lovely comment. I too hope you are well and enjoying your blog free life. Miss you xoxo
I have a weak spot when it comes to bread…I have a feeling if I started nibbling these, I couldn’t stop (especially with that cheddar dip!).
It’s a slippery slope, Liz that’s for sure. They were quite tasty dipped into the cheddar!
Oh, this would be a wonderful appetizer in the summer, easy but tasty – and filling too! I bake breads too in the summer, I just love homemade bread. Thanks for sharing Eva, have a great week!
I came by to comment on your ceviche, but I guess that’s scheduled for the future? I have all kinds of questions for you when it’s live. I’d love to dive into that flat bread with the cheddar dip right about now. Long day — Kiera was up all night with an ear infection and I had to rush off to jury duty for 8:30 am. Oh and Kevin had to facilitate a session with 8 CFOs at 4 pm, but couldn’t get a doctor’s appointment for Kiera until 1:15 pm and then I wasn’t released for the day until 4:30 pm….Now I may need to be there all week. Can you say stress?
That’s terrible Barb, I hope it all works out. No, my ceviche was posted as scheduled so I’m not sure what happened, I just checked and it’s live.
feta and basi, never combined the two but it looks so great and I can’t wait to try it! i want to eat that flatbread with hummus, dips, jam, all the above
Cool Jessica! I could just nosh on the bread by itself!
that goes well especially during supper time.
The bread would make a nice addition to dinner as well; we liked it as an hor d’œuvres.
Hi Eva, it’s my first time visiting your beautiful blog ( I am a bit slow) and I arrive to feta and basil bread…YUM! I love bread, and especially bread and cheese! Have you ever been to Persian restaurants where as starters they have their fresh bread, cheese and fresh basil and parsley to eat ? So delicious.
Thank you for visiting my blog and your flattering and kind words, CandC. I’ve never eaten Persian food, but I suspect it would be similar to Moroccan (we were there last November). I shall explore your blog over the next few days. Thanks again.
Eva, this sounds fabulous. I love flaky crispy texture. I now need to check out the cheddar dip too. It sounds very delicious with the feta & basil bread!
Thanks Nami, I just found a new place to review and follow up comments in WP. Sorry this reply is tardy.
Love your flat-bread Eva! What a delicious combination of flavours!
Thanks Amber, I am very glad the dough worked out so well the second time, it’s such an easy dough to put together.