from Chark Sauce & Spice Co.
While on our honeymoon, partially in Greece, we noticed the myriad of ways the local eateries utilize dill. What we thought of as only a garnish was fully incorporated into the dishes. It became apparent that dill can be used both subtly or as a pungent addition to a meal. Complimented by lemon juice, oregano and the surprising use of capers, we were left wanting more. Upon returning home and starting the process of creating a new hot sauce brand, a close friend mentioned he had yet to find a truly delicious dill hot sauce. From what we learned on our honeymoon to a friend’s emphatic plea, Dillmatic was born.
Ingredients
1 lb cherry tomatoes
6 cloves garlic, kept whole
4 fresh thyme sprigs
4 fresh oregano sprigs
½ cup olive oil
kosher salt
200g block of feta cheese
¼ cup Chark Dillmatic Hot Sauce
2 tbsp honey
Juice of ¼ a lemon
Zest of half a lemon
Sliced Sourdough bread or any other bread of your choice
thyme leaves to garnish
flaky sea salt
freshly cracked black pepper
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375F°. Add the cherry tomatoes, whole garlic cloves, and fresh herbs to a small baking pan. Cover with the olive oil and season with salt. Toss to coat the tomatoes and garlic so they are well coated in olive oil. Roast for 35-40 minutes, or until the tomatoes and garlic are caramelized. Remove from oven, mash the garlic cloves, and toss the tomatoes a second time, coating them in caramelized garlic oil. Set aside.
Toast bread after coating with olive oil on both sides. Try to obtain a slight char. Coat each slice of bread with a good amount of olive oil on both sides. Grill the bread until slightly charred and crisp, just a minute or so per side. Transfer the bread to a cutting board or plating dish.
In a food processor, combine the feta, honey, lemon juice + zest, and Chark Dillmatic Hot Sauce. Blend for a few minutes until smooth and creamy. You will need to scrape down the sides of the food processor several times throughout this process.
Spoon the whipped feta cheese into a bowl. Place the roasted tomatoes and garlic over top, along with the leftover garlic oil from the roasting process. Garnish the dish with a few thyme leaves and as a final touch, drizzle Chark’s Flavour First Chili Oil on top generously and finish with flaky sea salt and cracked pepper. Serve alongside the toasted bread.
Nada’s Tips & Tricks: Would you like some assistance with this recipe? Check out Chark’s recipe video at https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cel4eMKg-OA/?igsh=bm9wdHAzbDRrNWRj
Contents and images used with permission by Chark’s Sauce & Spice Co. https://www.eatchark.ca/
