🫒 Creamy Mediterranean Olive & Herb Cheese Spread

(Zeytinli Peynir Ezmesi Style)

Texture: Thick, creamy, slightly chunky
Flavor: Tangy, salty, herby, olive-forward
Serves: 4–6 (mezze-style)

🧾 INGREDIENTS (Exact & Flexible)

Base

• 1 cup labneh or thick Greek yogurt
  (labneh preferred for authentic richness)

• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese

• 2 tbsp cream cheese (optional, for extra smoothness)

Flavor & Texture

• ⅓ cup green olives, finely chopped
  (Castelvetrano or Spanish manzanilla work best)

• 1 tbsp capers (optional, finely chopped)

• 1 tbsp red bell pepper, very finely diced (for color)

• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, minced

• 1 tbsp fresh dill or mint, minced

• 1 small garlic clove, grated or pasted

Seasoning

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ¼ tsp chili flakes (optional)

• ½ tsp dried oregano or thyme

• Salt only if needed (feta + olives are salty)

Olive Oil Finish

• 3–4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (good quality)

🥣 STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

1️⃣ Prepare the Olives

• Pit olives if needed

• Chop very finely (almost minced)

• Set aside a few whole olives for garnish

👉 Fine chopping gives that speckled, rustic look seen in the image

2️⃣ Make the Creamy Base

In a mixing bowl:

• Add labneh (or yogurt)

• Add feta

• Add cream cheese (if using)

Mash and mix with a fork or spatula until:

• Mostly smooth

• Small feta bits still visible

3️⃣ Add Flavor Components

Add to the bowl:

• Chopped olives

• Capers

• Red bell pepper

• Parsley

• Dill or mint

• Garlic

• All spices

Mix gently until evenly distributed.

4️⃣ Taste & Adjust

• Taste first before salting

• Adjust:

  • More olive oil → silkier

  • More feta → saltier

  • More herbs → fresher

5️⃣ Jar & Finish (Like the Image)

• Spoon mixture into a small glass jar or bowl

• Smooth the top

• Create a shallow well in the center

• Pour olive oil generously on top

• Garnish with:

  • Whole green olives

  • Tiny red pepper bits

  • Extra herbs

❄️ RESTING (IMPORTANT)

Cover and refrigerate 30–60 minutes before serving.

⏱️ This lets flavors meld and thickens the texture.

🍞 HOW TO SERVE

• Warm pita or flatbread

• Toasted sourdough

• Crackers

• As a sandwich spread

• With grilled vegetables or chicken

🔁 VARIATIONS

• Spicy: add harissa or chili oil

• Smoky: add smoked paprika

• Vegan: use cashew cream + vegan feta

• Extra olive: mix in chopped black olives too

🧠 PRO TIPS

• Don’t over-blend — rustic texture is key

• Always finish with olive oil after chilling

• Best consumed within 3 days