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 tbsp 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 tsp honey
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- ¼ 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.
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
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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.
Wondering if this could be made into a crostini prepared in advance for a crowd? Make everything ahead of time, toast the crostini, make the spread and fig topping and then just assemble a tray for a large gathering at the last minute? Do you think that would work? How many days ahead could the dip and fig topping be made? Thanks so much!
Do you use a dry Marsala or a sweet one? Thx!
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!
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!
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!!!
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!
This is creative!