Baked Feta with Honey and Thyme

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Feta

Warm up your kitchen and your taste buds by preheating your oven to a cozy 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While it's getting toasty, grab a small oven-to-table dish or an ovenproof sauté pan to give your feta a comfortable place to sit. Nestle your 8-ounce block of feta, which you've lovingly blotted dry, into the dish. If you're feeling fancy, lay a sprig of fresh thyme on top for a whisper of herbaceous charm. Drizzle the cheese with 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil, letting it cloak the feta in a glossy hug. There's no timer needed for this step—just let the ingredients get acquainted.

2. Bake the Feta

Slide the dish into your preheated oven and bake the feta for about 8 minutes. Keep an eye on it; you'll know it's done when the cheese feels soft and springy to the touch, like a well-loved cushion, but hasn't surrendered its shape. Baking feta in this way transforms it into a creamy delight, perfect for scooping up with something crisp.

3. Broil with Honey

While the feta is baking, get ready for a quick broil. Heat up your broiler to stand by. Now for a touch of sweetness. Take 1 tablespoon of honey and warm it until it's as fluid as a golden stream. You can use a microwave or simply warm it in a pan over simmering water. Once it's ready, use a pastry brush to lovingly coat the top of your feta with the honey. This will add a hint of sweetness to balance the salty tang of the cheese. Pop the feta under the broiler until you see the top turn a tempting shade of brown and start to bubble with excitement. This usually takes just a few minutes, so stay close and watch the magic happen. The broiler's high heat creates a caramelized, slightly crispy top layer that's the perfect contrast to the creamy feta underneath.

4. Finish and Serve

Now's the moment to add a crackling of black pepper over the top of your masterpiece for that last punch of flavor. Bring the dish straight to the table, surrounded by toasted pita wedges and, if you're feeling extra, an array of optional sides like heirloom tomatoes, roasted beets, nuts, or pickled vegetables. Gather around and dig into the baked feta, dragging the pita through the soft, warm cheese and savoring the mingling of sweet, savory, and aromatic flavors. It's a simple dish that comes together in about 30 minutes and serves up to six people, making it an effortless way to impress at any gathering. Enjoy the warm embrace of this Mediterranean-inspired treat.