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I just know you have a sad box of kataifi left over from all my Dubai Chocolate Crepe Cake right?? It’s time to put it to good use 😉 If you are wondering what kataifi is, it’s just phyllo dough that has been shredded. This recipe takes that kataifi and fries it in butter before wrapping the whipped feta and fig in it making a cheese dip that is SO delicious.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Whipped Feta and Fig Kataifi
This dish is really thinking outside of the box and the results are amazing. The crumbly feta whipped with the sweet cream cheese and you have a calms down the tang and adds a delicious sweet pop. Then you add the Chipotle Fig Sauce and you can forget about it! The buttery toasted Kataifi pulls the entire recipe together making a truly wonderful and unique cheese dip.
How To Prepare
Soften the Cream Cheese – If you want to make sure there is no lumps in your whipped feta cheese, just set your cream cheese out about 15 minutes before starting the recipe.
Don’t Over-Mix the Cheese and Fig – When folding in the fig preserves and crushed pistachios, make sure you don’t over-mix. You want It more in the middle than mixed in.
Form the Cheese Ball – If you are having a hard time shaping it into an oval, stick it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to chill and try again.
Keep an Eye on the Kataifi – This can burn pretty quick so stir often and keep an eye on it.
Cool Before Coating – Make sure you let cool before moving on to the next steps. Give yourself time for this.
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🔥Chef Nadia’s Tip🔥
If you don’t have kataifi, you can cut up phyllo dough into tiny little strands and sauté the same way to get them golden. Then crush it even further to mimic the effect.
Substitutions and Variations
- Substitutions
- Kataifi → Toasted almonds would be delicious as a cover for the whipped feta and figs also.
- Feta → You can swap for whatever creamy cheese you like.
- Fig Preserves → Use whatever your favorite preserves are!
- Variations
- Make Them Mini → Roll up the whipped cheese into smaller individual cheese balls and coat in kataifi for a personal bite.
- Spice It Up → Add some chili crisps to the sauce if you want to add some heat.
The Perfect Pairings
Start the night out with a gorgeous Milky Dirty Martini while you enjoy your Whipped Feta and Fig Kataifi. For your main Steak with Peppercorn Sauce and I light, fresh Butter Lettuce Salad is the way to go! Finish your night with a Dubai Chocolate Crepe Cake especially if you have left over kataifi!
Whipped Feta and Fig Kataifi: Questions Answered
It is from the scalloped porcelain serving dish from Zara.
It is shredded phyllo dough. If you can’t find kataifi, you can cut up phyllo dough into tiny little strands, sauté like in the recipe. Then crush it even further to mimic the effect.
You can make the different parts ahead of time. Make the whipped feta cheese and have it chilled and waiting, prepare the chipotle fig sauce and leave in the refrigerator and crisp up the kataifi but store at room temperature – assemble right before serving this dip.
Whipped Feta and Fig Kataifi
Equipment
- Bowl
- spoon
- plastic wrap
- 2 pans
- plate
Ingredients
Whipped Cheese Mixture
- 5 oz cream cheese
- 3 oz feta
- 2½ tbsp crushed pistachios
- 2 tbsp fig preserves
Chipotle Fig Sauce
- ⅓ cup fig preserves
- ½ tsp chipotle powder
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 orange, zest only
- 1 pinch salt, to taste
Crispy Kataifi
- 2 tbsp butter
- ½ cup kataifi
Toppings
- Chives, chopped, for topping, to taste
- crushed pistachios, for topping, to taste
- edible flowers, for topping, optional
Instructions
Make Ahead: It needs to chill at least 2 hours
- In a food processor, whip the cream cheese and feta until smooth.
- Move the whipped cheese mixture to a bowl and, using a spoon, make a gently press the center around until you create a small well in the middle. Spoon in the crushed pistachios and figs preserves. Gently fold the whipped cheese around the preserves, don’t mix it super well.
- Grab a large piece of plastic wrap and carefully scoop the whipped cheese mixture into the center. Fold one end of the plastic wrap over the cheese and gently continue to roll shaping it like an oval, using the wrap to help you form it. Twist the sides. If you need help understanding, watch the video.
- Refrigerate for 2-6 hours. You can even do it a day ahead.
Finish the Dish
- To a pan, add fig preserves, chipotle powder, honey, water and orange zest. Simmer on medium-low heat for a couple of minutes. Add a pinch of salt to taste. Let it cool.
- Add butter and kataifi to a medium sized pan. Toast it until it is fully golden. Move it over to a plate and let cool.
- Once everything has cooled, unwrap your whipped cheese. Gently roll it in the toasted kataifi until fully coated.
- In a serving plate, pour the fig chipotle sauce to the bottom. Set the Kataifi Cheese on top of that. Top with chopped chives and crushed pistachios. Enjoy.
Kitchen Cam
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
