Whipped Feta with Bean Salad

Steps

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1. 1
   Prepare the salad ingredients: peel the cucumber partially and dice it, peel the celery stalks and slice them thinly, and thinly slice the shallot.
   ▶ ≈0:22
2. 2
   Finely chop fresh herbs such as parsley; dill can also be added if desired.
   ▶ ≈0:35
3. 3
   Place the drained and rinsed butterbeans in a large bowl.
   ▶ ≈0:48
4. 4
   Add all the prepared vegetables and herbs to the bowl with the butterbeans.
   ▶ ≈0:48
5. 5
   Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil (about 2 tablespoons) and add lemon juice from half a lemon; add more if you prefer a lemony flavor.
   ▶ ≈0:55
6. 6
   Add Calabrian chili paste if using, and season generously with salt.
   ▶ ≈1:07
7. 7
   Toss everything together well. Serve immediately or refrigerate for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
   ▶ ≈1:13
8. 8
   Make the whipped feta: add 8 oz of feta cheese and 4 oz of cream cheese to a food processor.
   ▶ ≈1:26
9. 9
   Add about half a cup of sour cream, lemon zest from half a lemon, one garlic clove, and extra virgin olive oil.
   ▶ ≈1:32
10. 10
    Cover and process until the mixture becomes fluffy and smooth.
    ▶ ≈1:44
11. 11
    Spread the whipped feta on a serving platter and create a well in the center by pushing the feta outward.
    ▶ ≈1:44
12. 12
    Spoon the bean salad into the center well of the whipped feta.
    ▶ ≈1:59
13. 13
    Drizzle the marinade from the bean salad over the top. Serve with bread, rice, or kebabs.
    ▶ ≈2:14