Girit meze with cheese Calories

To make Girit meze with cheese, mash the cheese and mix it with olive oil, garlic, chopped walnuts and herbs such as dill or parsley. Add the oil gradually and leave the mixture slightly chunky if you want a more textured meze.

Serve Girit meze with cheese with toasted bread, pita or crackers, or alongside raw vegetables such as cucumber and bell pepper. It also works as part of a Turkish meze spread; finish it with a little olive oil and chopped herbs.

Girit meze with cheese is a common version of the spread also called Girit ezmesi. The names and recipes are not always used identically, though: the type of cheese, herbs and nuts can differ between cooks.

Girit meze with cheese is often made with Turkish white cheese, sometimes combined with lor, a mild fresh curd cheese. White cheese gives the spread a saltier, tangier taste, while lor makes it milder and softer.

Yes, you can prepare Girit meze with cheese ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Add a fresh garnish just before serving, and stir the spread if a little oil has separated.

Girit meze with cheese keeps for about three days in a covered container in the refrigerator. Take out only the amount you plan to serve, rather than leaving the whole dish at room temperature during a meal.

You can freeze Girit meze with cheese, but thawing may make the cheese mixture watery or grainy. It is usually better to make a fresh batch and refrigerate it than to freeze it for later.

Yes, you can make Girit meze with cheese without walnuts. The spread will lose some of its crunch, so add extra chopped herbs or serve it with crisp vegetables if you want a contrasting texture.

No, Girit meze with cheese is not usually spicy. Its main flavors come from salty cheese, olive oil, garlic, walnuts and herbs; some cooks add chili, but that is an optional variation.