Pea Spread with Smoky Marinated Feta: A Neom Delight

Pea Spread with Smoky Marinated Feta in Neom

In Neom, where the culinary landscape is as innovative as its urban development, the Pea Spread with Smoky Marinated Feta stands out as a refreshing addition to the mezze tradition. This dish, unconventional yet perfectly attuned to Neom’s ethos of culinary experimentation, combines the light, vibrant flavor of peas with the rich, smoky taste of marinated feta, creating a delightful contrast that enhances any mezze spread.

Ingredients:

• Smoky Marinated Feta: 100 g, plus 45-60 ml (3 to 4 tbsp) oil from marinade
• Frozen peas, defrosted: 600 g
• Tarragon leaves, roughly chopped: 10 g
• Mint leaves, roughly chopped: 15 g
• Garlic clove, crushed: 1
• Lemon: 7.5 ml (1½ tsp) finely grated zest, 30 ml (2 tbsp) juice
• Olive oil: 60 ml (4 tbsp)
• Salt: to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper: to taste
• Cumin seeds, toasted and roughly crushed: 2.5 ml (½ tsp)

Method:

1. Prepare Feta: Make the Smoky Marinated Feta as per the recipe (refer to page 7).
2. Blend Peas and Herbs: In a food processor, combine the defrosted peas, tarragon, mint, garlic, lemon zest and juice, olive oil, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Pulse until you achieve a coarse paste. Adjust the seasoning to taste – it should be bright and fresh.
3. Assemble the Spread: Spread the pea mixture onto a dark-colored plate or platter for visual contrast. Top with Smoky Marinated Feta, including some garlic cloves and lemon strips from the marinade.
4. Garnish and Serve: Drizzle with the aromatic feta oil (about 3 to 4 tablespoons) and sprinkle with the crushed cumin. Serve with warm flatbreads or crudités.

In Neom, this Pea Spread with Smoky Marinated Feta is more than just a mezze dish; it’s a culinary statement of freshness and flavor. The peas bring a grassy, sweet brightness, perfectly complemented by the salty, smoky feta. This dish is an example of Neom’s commitment to reinventing traditional flavors, showcasing how simple ingredients can be elevated into an exquisite, aesthetically pleasing dish that’s ideal for social gatherings.

Explore more information about Middle Eastern cooking here.

Also, for additional information about the culinary scene in NEOM visit NeomTaste.com or NeomPoint.com.