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Aromatic cheese, walnut and basil mezze
In season: Spring · Summer
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
2 tablespoon (medium) of Basil Cretan dip (30 g) has 85 calories. That works out to 284 calories per 100 g. It contains 1.6 g of carbs, 3.2 g of protein, 7.5 g of fat and 0.4 g of fiber. Its 0.3 µg of B12 covers 13% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 15 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.
Selected: 2 tablespoon (medium) · 30 g
85
KCAL / 30G
Carbs
1.6g
· 1% DV
Protein
3.2g
· 6% DV
Fat
7.5g
· 10% DV
Fiber
0.4g
· 1% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 7% · Protein 15% · Fat 78%
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 85 kcal | |
| Total fat | 7.5 g | 10% |
| Saturated fat | 2.48 g | 12% |
| Trans fat | 0.05 g | |
| Sodium | 207 mg | 9% |
| Total carbohydrate | 1.6 g | 1% |
| Fiber | 0.4 g | 1% |
| Protein | 3.2 g | 6% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
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| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 2 tablespoon (medium) | 30 g | 85 kcal |
| 1 teaspoon (small) | 5 g | 14 kcal |
| 1 tablespoon (small) | 15 g | 43 kcal |
| 3 tablespoon (large) | 45 g | 128 kcal |
| 0.25 cup (small) | 60 g | 170 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 75 g | 213 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 284 kcal |
| ½ cup (large) | 120 g | 341 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 150 g | 426 kcal |
Calculated from 284 calories per 100 g.
Basil Cretan dip is a savory cheese mezze flavored with walnuts and basil. It is usually served cold as a spread or part of an appetizer platter, and recipes can vary in the type of cheese and seasonings used.
Basil Cretan dip is made by combining softened or crumbled cheese with chopped walnuts and basil. Mix rather than fully purée the ingredients for a pleasantly textured spread, and taste before adding salt because the cheese may already be salty.
Basil Cretan dip pairs well with toasted bread, crackers, or crisp vegetable sticks. Serve it chilled as part of a mezze or appetizer platter, or spread it in a sandwich for a savory, herby filling.
Basil Cretan dip should be kept covered in the refrigerator and is best eaten fresh. Use a clean utensil each time, avoid leaving it out for extended periods, and discard it if its smell, appearance, or texture changes.
Freezing Basil Cretan dip is not recommended because the cheese mixture may separate or turn watery when thawed. For the best texture, make a smaller batch and keep it refrigerated until serving.
Basil Cretan dip can turn watery when the cheese contains excess moisture or the mixture sits for a while. Drain the cheese if needed, dry fresh basil thoroughly after washing, and stir the dip just before serving.
Yes, Basil Cretan dip can be made without walnuts. The texture and flavor will be different, but you can leave them out or replace them with chopped olives for a savory variation.
Yes, dried basil works in Basil Cretan dip, though fresh basil gives it a brighter, more aromatic flavor. Add dried basil gradually and taste as you go, since its flavor can become pronounced in a cheese mixture.
No, Basil Cretan dip is not the same as dakos. The dip is a cheese, walnut, and basil mezze, while dakos is a Cretan dish built around barley rusks, tomato, and cheese.
To make Basil Cretan dip smoother, use a softer cheese and mash it thoroughly before folding in the walnuts and basil. A small amount of olive oil can also help loosen the mixture without blending away all its texture.
Vitamins
B12
0.32µg · 13% DV
B2
0.09mg · 7% DV
Vitamin A
55.8µg · 6% DV
Vitamin K
5.7µg · 5% DV
Minerals
Calcium
97mg · 10% DV
Phosphorus
68mg · 10% DV
Sodium
207mg · 9% DV
Copper
0.07mg · 8% DV
Potassium ⭐
52mg · 2% DV
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 85 calories in 2 tablespoon (medium) (30 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
Basil Cretan dip is a Cretan- and Aegean-inspired spread, commonly made by blending cheese with walnuts, basil and often olive oil. The exact cheese and seasoning vary between recipes, giving it anything from a smooth, spreadable consistency to a slightly chunky one.
Its savoury, fragrant flavour pairs well with toasted bread, crackers or crisp vegetables. In Greece and across the eastern Mediterranean it fits naturally on a meze table; elsewhere, it also works as a sandwich spread or an easy appetiser. Cheese and walnuts make it relatively rich in fat, while it also provides protein. For a lighter serving, use a modest spread and pair it with cucumber, peppers or other fresh vegetables.
Medium
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Low
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
NOVA 2
Minimally Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
Contains these allergens:
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
✓ Suitable
Gluten-Free
✓ Suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
✓ Suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
✓ Suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
SATURATED
2.48g
MONOUNSATURATED
3.12g
POLYUNSATURATED
1.04g
Omega 6:3 ratio 19:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (19:1).
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.