Τυροκαφτερι (Greek Spicy Cheese Dip)

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~ Tyrokafreri (Greek Spicy Cheese Dip) is a very popular dip in Greece form north to south. ~ Traveling from place to place, island to island one can find many variations in the recipe and the ingredients that are being used to make Tyrokafteri. ~ Feta cheese, Hot peppers and Olive oil are the main ingredient for making Tyrokafteri. ~ In some places people mix Cream cheese, Anthotyro, Greek Strain Yogurt, Xynomyzithra even Ricotta Cheese with the Feta cheese to make it a little bit creamier and cut the saltiness a bit of the Feta cheese. ~ At the same time, other people use Jalapeno peppers, Chilli pepper flakes, Cayenne pepper, Peperoncini, Garlic, Green or Red hot peppers and even Tabasco sauce to give it a little bit more tanginess to the taste. ~ In other cases the peppers are being sautéed and then added to the mixture. ~ The ingredients and the amount will depend on how much you would like to make and how simpler you want to make it. ~ For the purpose of giving some way of making Tyrokafteri, I add some garlic (Good for the heart) and some Greek strain yogurt to make it creamier. ~ As I mention above, you can try any variation you like and use any ingredients that are available to you. ~ You can make it as hot or as mild as you wish using hot or mild peppers. ~ In any situation the process of making Tyrokafteri is the same.

 

~ Ingredients: ~ 250gr of Greek feta cheese ~ 125gr of Greek strained yogurt ~ 2 green peppers (mild to hot, depending on preference) ~ 2 Garlic cloves ~ 1/2-1 cup of olive oil ~ Freshly ground pepper to taste (optional) ~ Paprika and Parsley for garnishment

 

~ Wash the peppers, remove the stalk and the seeds and cut them in two. ~ Place the peppers and garlic into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until fairly smooth. ~ Add the feta cheese cut in small pieces and some olive oil and pulse to purify and mix with the peppers and garlic. ~ Add the strain yogurt to mix with the feta cheese and the rest of the ingredients. ~ If the mixture is hard, slowly add some olive oil in a stream and pulse until all the oil is absorbed and you reach the desired consistency (not all the oil may needed) of a smooth and soft mixture. ~ Adjust seasonings as necessary (it should be spicy). ~ Add a pinch of freshly ground pepper (optional) and mix. ~ Once you get the desired consistency and desired spiciness remove from the food processor, place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. ~ Refrigerate for at least one hour and then serve with your choice of crusty bread, pita triangles or crackers. ~ Serve garnished with some parsley and a sprinkle of paprika. ~ This recipe works with red and green peppers. Mild or hot, this is a delicious dip. ~ This is traditionally a spicy cheese dish, which can be served as a meze (appetizer) with ouzo or beer, or as a dip with raw vegetables or as bread spread. ~ Good luck and enjoy.