For Feta Cheese lovers of all ages!

It is really nice to serve something different when friends come over to hang out with you. I found this recipe some time ago and think it makes a great topping for crackers. Serve it along with a vegetable dip, some cut up veges to dip with and a nice salad like the Choriatiki which follows the spread recipe:

Goat Cheese and Pistachio Spread

• 3-3.5 ounce logs of mild soft goat cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped pistachios, toasted lightly and cooled
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced chives (or other fresh herbs)
• 1 large garlic clove, mashed to a paste with 1t salt
• ½ tsp oriental chili garlic sauce (optional)

Beat together the goat cheese, butter, garlic paste, pistachios, chives, and salt and pepper to taste until combined well. Spoon the spread into a serving dish, cover with plastic wrap, and chill overnight. Garnish with herbs.

Peasant Salad (Choriatiki)

• 2 medium-sized tomatoes
• 1 green pepper
• 1 medium-sized onion
• half a cucumber
• 3-4 oz feta cheese
• black olives
• 4 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp vinegar
• salt and pepper to taste
• fresh mint

Peel and cut the tomatoes and place then in a salad bowl. Seed and cut the green pepper. Peel and slice the cucumber. Peel and dice the onion. Wash and finely chop the mint. Add all the above ingredients to the salad.

Add the onion, the feta cheese, the olives, the oil and vinegar and the seasonings. If you want to prepare the salad in advance, do not add the salt until the last minute because the salt makes the tomatoes watery. Makes 5-6 servings