This whipped feta dip recipe makes the perfect party appetizer in like 10 minutes! Topped with a decadent dried fig Marsala sauce, chopped pistachios, and fresh mint!
Here is a fun tidbit I recently came across: dried figs were the choice high-energy food for ancient Greek Olympians! (Pre-workout snack, anyone?)
Mediterraneans' undeniable affinity for figs goes thousands of years back. We love fresh succulent figs, of course. But when dried, figs take on a different, more intense flavor, which makes them such a versatile ingredient. You'll see dried figs in Mediterranean sweet and savory dishes--from pastries and cakes, to roasts and hearty stews! And they are often a part of the important, and never-to-be-rushed, mezze or social hour!
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Living in the US, I keep a variety of quality California Dried Figs from Valley Fig Growers on hand. I use them on the regular! They typically find their way into a bowl of Mediterranean-style trail mix with my favorite nuts. And when entertaining, I’ll often use them as part of a cheese board, or in a quick appetizer like my favorite baked brie or today’s whipped feta dip.
This quick feta dip is not one I had to think about too hard. The star ingredients are salty, creamy feta cheese + sweet, dried figs. We already know that’s a winning combination!
But what takes this feta dip to a new level of decadence is, without a question, the dried figs and Marsala sauce on top! The crushed pistachios and fresh mint garnish didn’t hurt either. If you ask me, this is definitely a holiday-worthy appetizer!
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Whipped Feta Dip with California Figs and Marsala Sauce
- Total Time: 10 minutes
Description
An all-star quick whipped feta dip recipe! Topped w/ a decadent dried fig and Marsala wine sauce. Comes together in like 10 min! Gluten free party appetizer.
Ingredients
For the Fig Marsala Sauce
- 1 cup dried Mission figs (Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice Mission Figlets or Sun-Maid California Mission Figs)
- 2 tablespoon fig spread (Orchard Choice Organic Mission California Fig Spread)
- ½ cup Marsala wine
For the Feta Dip
- 8 oz quality feta cheese, crumbled
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 2 teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Handful dried golden figs (Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice or Sun-Maid California Golden Figs)
- 2 tablespoon chopped shelled pistachios
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish
- Crostini, pita chips, or crackers to serve
Instructions
- In a heavy saucepan, combine the mission figs, Marsala wine, and fig spread. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and simmer until the wine turns into a thicker syrup-like consistency. Remove from the heat and let cool.
- To make the feta dip, place the feta and cream cheese into the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Pulse until the cheeses are mixed. Add the honey, lemon zest, and olive oil. Blend until well-combined and the cheeses are whipped into a smooth dip.
- Transfer the feta dip to a serving plate or two. Top with the fig Marsala sauce. Add golden figs, chopped pistachio and mint leaves for garnish. Serve with crostini, pita chips, or crackers!
Notes
- I used the bite-sized Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice Figlets for the sauce, but if you end up using the larger figs, you can cut them in half if you like smaller bites. - To complete a simple cheese board as in the pictures, add your favorite firm or semi-firm cheese, blue cheese, more fig spread, and a bowl of dried figs and nuts.
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: Mediterranean feta dip,
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Recommended equipment for this recipe: heavy saucepan ; small food processor
*This post is sponsored by Valley Fig Growers, Home of Blue Ribbon® Orchard Choice® and Sun-Maid®California Dried Figs! And makers of quality, delicious, and nutrition-packed dried figs. Learn how they grow and process their figs here. Valley Fig Growers products are available nationwide, click here to find a store near you. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting brands that make this site possible.
Cynthia says
Do you use a dry Marsala or a sweet one? Thx!
Kristin says
Hello This looks wonderful and I want to make it for a friends birthday tomorrow but I am having trouble finding the Marsala, if I left off the fig Marsala sauce would I need to and anything else to make the whipped feta yummy to dip in chips and veges and make a cheese and olive plate with it!? Let me know your thoughts, thanks!
Suzy says
Hi, Kristin! It would still be yummy on it's own without the sauce. You could also consider adding a drizzle of good quality EVOO or honey one top. Hope that helps!
Donna MacLagan says
My girls and I had a Mediterranean Night while watching My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2. We had lots of apps and made the Whipped Feta dip with fig marsala sauce! It was the most delicious dip we've ever had!! I think a few of the girls may have cried when the dip ran out! LOL!! Thank you so much for this beautiful blog and all of the beautiful recipes you've shared that show us more than just hummus and pitas!!!
★★★★★
Suzy Karadsheh says
That is awesome, Donna! My Big Fat Greek wedding movies are my fave! Love that you had a whole themed party around them. Thank you for your kind note!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
This is creative!
Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons says
I love how beautiful this is! And simple-total win!
Suzy Karadsheh says
Hi girls! Thanks so much! I'm glad you like this one; it's a fave!
David @ CookingChat says
looks like a delicious snack! I should probably have figs more, they are so flavorful
Suzy Karadsheh says
You totally should! Figs for the win
Rufus Pereira says
I have family visiting in December to celebrate my wife's 50th birthday. I am going to try this as it looks delicious, will let you know how it was received
Suzy Karadsheh says
Wonderful, Rufus! I hope you all enjoy it!
Barbara Rayvid says
How much marsala wine. I did not see it in the list of ingredients. Did I miss it??
Thanks
Admin says
Thanks for the question! Seems I forgot to include that in the recipe:( Just updated the recipe and listed 1/2 cup of Marsala wine. Enjoy!
Sandi says
How much wine did you use?
Giles Gilliam says
Love your recipes. Reading through this one, it appears that you left out the amount of Marsala wine that needs to be used in the preparation on the sauce. Please provide this.
Sincerely,
Giles
Brianna says
How much wine do you use?
Pamela says
Looks great how much Marsala in the sauce?
Admin says
Woops! Just updated the recipe to include the Marsala wine! Enjoy!
Taylor Kiser says
Love everything about this dip! Delicious!
Catherine says
Dear Suzy, I absolutely love the sound of this...what a beautiful dip! xo, Catherine
allie says
This looks over the top delicious Suzy! I love the Marsala sauce and all those yummy figs. Pistachios too. Swooning!
Jolina says
We're the same, we always have dried figs on hand. They're great. And anything that's good enough for Greek Olympians is good enough for me! And what about this dip. Yum! Looks like something I could swim in!
★★★★★
Suzy Karadsheh says
Aren't they great?! And I like the idea of swimming in this dip! 🙂 Thanks, Jolina!
Tina Dawson | Love is in my tummy says
OMG This has got to be the most exquisite dip I've ever seen! Brilliant!
★★★★★
Suzy Karadsheh says
AWWW...thanks so much, Tina! It means so much to me that this dip won your approval. Hope you try it!
Beth @ Binky's Culinary Carnival says
This sounds amazing! I recently found feta and am slightly obsessed! Thanks for the inspiration!
Suzy Karadsheh says
Awesome, Beth! Feta + Figs are such a Mediterranean thing. Hope you give this one a try!
Christina | Christina's Cucina says
Oh my! This looks absolutely dangerous! I love feta cheese and would really enjoy this lovely dip, I'm sure!
Suzy Karadsheh says
haha! Thank you, Christina! You would love this one.
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes says
ooo.. I love figs! This sounds like the perfect party dip (or the perfect snack for me all by myself lololol)
Suzy Karadsheh says
I like the way you think! 😉