Roasted Tomato Whipped Feta Dip Baking the Goods

 Ingredients

• 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3-4 cloves garlic - crushed
• 3-4 sprigs fresh herbs such as oregano, thyme or rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
• 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled or cubed - at room temperature
• 4 tablespoons cream cheese - at room temperature
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 medium lemon - zested & juiced
• 1 small shallot -grated or finely minced
• 1 clove garlic -grated or finely minced
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
• 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds - to garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat oven 400°F. Place tomatoes on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and salt and pepper. Add crushed garlic cloves and herbs. Toss to combine, then roast for 25-ish minutes until tomatoes soft and begin to burst. Allow to cool on baking sheet. Remove herbs and garlic.

2. While the tomatoes roast, prepare the Whipped Feta Dip. In a small bowl, combine the grated or minced shallot and garlic together with the lemon juice.

3. Combine the feta and cream cheese in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Pulse until the cheeses are mixed and smooth. Drizzle in the olive oil while pulsing, followed by the honey. Then add the lemon juice mix, salt and pepper. Process until smooth and airy.

4. Transfer to a serving dish and add a swirly spiral with the back of a spoon. Refrigerate until the tomatoes have fully cooled. 

5. Top the Whipped Feta Dip with cooled, roasted tomatoes. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and top with fresh herb sprigs and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, if desired. 

6. Serve with grilled ciabatta, baguette, gluten free crackers, veggies or all of the above!