Baked Cheese with Honey and Olive Oil, Portuguese Style
This Baked Cheese with Honey and Olive oil is the appetizer I learned in a cooking class in Évora, Portugal, and it’s as simple as it is satisfying. Grate any aged cheese that melts, toss it with honey and a peppery extra-virgin olive oil, add fresh thyme, and bake. In 25 minutes you’ll have a warm, creamy dip that disappears with crackers, bread, or crisp apple slices.
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 143kcal
Equipment
- 1 small oven safe dish
Ingredients
- 1 cup Firm aged cheese grated (preferred) or sliced thinly, enough to fill your bowl
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- fresh oregano or thyme leaves to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉.
- Grate or slice your cheese. Place your cheese into an oven-safe container.
- Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Add 1 tablespoon of honey. Toss gently.
- Top with fresh herbs if using. Bake for 15 minutes or until warm, melted, and bubbly.
Notes
Choosing the cheese: Any aged cheese works as long as it grates easily and still melts. Very hard cheeses tend to turn oily instead of creamy, so save those for another use. Grated cheese melts more evenly than sliced (the pictures show sliced), and filling a small ceramic baker at least halfway gives you a deep, creamy melt.
Flavor and serving: A peppery extra-virgin olive oil balances the richness of the cheese. Fresh thyme and fresh oregano both work, so use whichever you have on hand. Serve it warm with crusty bread, crackers, apple slices, or raw vegetables.
Storage and reheating: Leftovers keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, let the dish come to room temperature, then bake it uncovered at 300°F until warmed through. For a golden top, broil it for 1 minute at the end.
Nutrition
Calories: 143kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 157mg | Potassium: 20mg | Fiber: 0.01g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 209IU | Vitamin C: 0.02mg | Calcium: 222mg | Iron: 0.1mg
