Whipped Feta Dip with California Figs and Marsala Sauce

Name: Whipped Feta Dip with California Figs and Marsala Sauce
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 cup dried Mission figs (Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice Mission Figlets or Sun-Maid California Mission Figs); 2 tbsp fig spread (Orchard Choice Organic Mission California Fig Spread); 1/2 cup Marsala wine; 8 oz quality feta cheese, crumbled; 4 oz cream cheese; 1 tsp honey; 2 tsp lemon zest; 1/4 cup olive oil; Handful dried golden figs (Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice or Sun-Maid California Golden Figs); 2 tbsp chopped shelled pistachios; Fresh mint leaves for garnish; Crostini, pita chips, or crackers to serve

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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!

Whipped Feta Dip with California Figs and Marsala Sauce

★★★★★

5 from 3 reviews

Author: The Mediterranean Dish
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 10 mins

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Ingredients

For the Fig Marsala Sauce

1 cup dried Mission figs (Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice Mission Figlets or Sun-Maid California Mission Figs)
2 tbsp fig spread (Orchard Choice Organic Mission California Fig Spread)
1/2 cup Marsala wine

For the Feta Dip

8 oz quality feta cheese, crumbled
4 oz cream cheese
1 tsp honey
2 tsp lemon zest
1/4 cup olive oil
Handful dried golden figs (Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice or Sun-Maid California Golden Figs)
2 tbsp 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.

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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.

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Whipped Feta Dip with California Figs and Marsala Sauce

Click Here to Pin This Recipe

Whipped Feta Dip with California Figs and Marsala Sauce

Ingredients

For the Fig Marsala Sauce

For the Feta Dip

Instructions

Notes

Click here to pin this recipe

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