Description
This delicious recipe features baked ripe tomatoes topped with crumbled feta cheese and aromatic dukkah spice blend, served alongside freshly baked flatbreads. The combination of juicy tomatoes, salty feta, and crunchy dukkah creates a vibrant flavor profile balanced by fresh parsley and mint. The homemade flatbreads are golden and topped with sesame seeds, perfect for scooping up the warm tomato and cheese mixture. A fantastic dish ideal for sharing, combining Middle Eastern-inspired flavors and rustic baking techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
Dukkah Spice Blend
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 25g pistachios, shelled and roughly chopped
- 25g hazelnuts, skinned and roughly chopped
- 4 tsp sesame seeds (extra for sprinkling)
- 1 tsp coriander seeds
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp caraway seeds
Flatbreads
- 500g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 tsp fast-action dried yeast
- 1 tsp caster sugar
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
Baked Tomatoes with Feta
- 1kg mixture of medium and large ripe tomatoes
- 1 tsp caster sugar (optional)
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 150g feta, crumbled
- 4 tbsp dukkah (prepared as above)
- Parsley and mint leaves, to serve
Instructions
- Make the Dukkah: Combine the sesame seeds, roughly chopped pistachios and hazelnuts, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and caraway seeds in a bowl. Stir well to mix and set aside for later use as a flavorful topping.
- Prepare the Flatbread Dough: In a large bowl, stir together the strong white bread flour, fast-action dried yeast, caster sugar, and fine sea salt. Add 300ml lukewarm water and mix until a soft, sticky dough forms. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Return the dough to the bowl, cover it, and leave it in a warm place to prove until doubled in size, approximately 1 hour.
- Shape and Bake the Flatbreads: Preheat the oven to 220°C (200°C fan) / Gas mark 7. Once the dough has risen, tip it out onto a floured surface and divide into four equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then roll out into roughly oval shapes about 4mm thick. Place the dough ovals onto two large non-stick baking trays. Brush each piece generously with olive oil and sprinkle the sesame seeds evenly over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes until the flatbreads are golden and firm to the touch. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool.
- Prepare and Bake the Tomatoes: Keep the oven heated at 220°C (200°C fan) / Gas mark 7. Cut the tomatoes in half horizontally (through the equator) and arrange them cut-side up in a large ovenproof dish. Season the tomatoes with a pinch of sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and optionally sprinkle with caster sugar for added sweetness. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and scatter crumbled feta evenly on top. Finally, sprinkle the prepared dukkah over the tomatoes and cheese.
- Bake and Serve: Bake the tomatoes in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes until they become tender and juicy and the feta starts to turn golden but not too dark. After baking, allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes. Scatter fresh parsley and mint leaves on top for a fresh herbaceous finish. Serve the warm baked tomatoes with feta alongside the freshly baked flatbreads for scooping and enjoying every savory bite.
Notes
- To extend this dish and add more vegetables, consider adding a head of broccoli or a small cauliflower, cut into florets, roasting together with the tomatoes.
- If you prefer a less tangy feta flavor, crumble the cheese more coarsely or substitute with halloumi for a firmer texture.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute the flour in the flatbreads with a gluten-free bread flour blend, though texture may vary.
- Press the dough gently but avoid overworking it to keep the flatbreads soft and tender.
- Dukkah can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container for up to two weeks, adding convenience and flavor anytime.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keywords: baked tomatoes, feta, dukkah, flatbread, middle eastern, vegetarian, oven baked, easy dinner
