A smoky and tangy dip made with charred scallions, lemon, and creamy feta cheese.
20 minutes
A smoky and tangy dip made with charred scallions, lemon, and creamy feta cheese.
Lemon, juiced and sliced
each
Scallions, trimmed and halved
bunch
tablespoons
Feta Cheese, broken into large pieces
0 oz
Cream Cheese, room temperature
0 oz
teaspoons
teaspoons
Hot Water
tablespoons
1. Prepare Lemon Juice and Slices
Juice one whole lemon to yield about 3 tablespoons of juice, and set it aside for later. Take the remaining half lemon and cut it into 3 to 4 thin slices.
2. Char the Scallions and Lemon
Preheat your broiler. Toss the lemon slices and scallions with 1 tablespoon of olive oil on a sheet pan lined with foil. Broil the scallions for 7 to 9 minutes until they are blackened, then remove them. Continue broiling the lemon slices for an additional 5 minutes until they are also blackened. Transfer the charred scallions and lemon slices to a cutting board and allow them to cool slightly.
3. Blend Ingredients
Place the feta cheese, cream cheese, lemon juice, 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons of olive oil, black pepper, cayenne, and hot water in a food processor. Blend until the mixture is very smooth.
4. Combine with Scallions
Add almost all the charred scallions to the food processor, reserving 1 or 2 pieces for garnish. Pulse the mixture to combine, leaving some chunky pieces of scallion for texture. Taste the dip and adjust the lemon juice if needed to brighten the flavor.
5. Garnish and Serve
Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and garnish with the reserved charred scallions, the blackened lemon slices, a sprinkle of black pepper, and a dash of cayenne. Serve this dip with fresh vegetables, pita chips, or bread.
Use jalapeños in place of scallions, charring them to mellow their heat. Substitute feta with crumbled cotija cheese. Switch lemon juice for lime juice to complement the jalapeños. Perfect for tacos, nachos, or as a bold veggie dip.
Swap scallions for roasted red peppers, charred to bring out their sweetness. Replace feta with softened cream cheese or goat cheese for a different creamy base. Add toasted almonds for a nutty texture. This variant can be served with crusty bread or as a spread for sandwiches.
Swap scallions for charred cherry tomatoes to add a burst of sweetness. Replace feta with fresh ricotta for a lighter, creamier texture. Incorporate chopped fresh basil instead of the smoky flavor profile. Lemon juice can be kept or swapped with balsamic vinegar reduction. Perfect as a spread for bruschetta or as a dip for fresh vegetables.
Roast a head of garlic alongside the scallions, and then squeeze the soft cloves into the dip for a sweet and mellow garlic flavor.
Use charred corn kernels in place of scallions for a sweet, smoky character. Swap feta cheese for sharp cheddar, melted into the mixture. Keep the lemon juice, or try apple cider vinegar for a different tang. Great as a warm dip for tortilla chips or drizzled over grilled vegetables.
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