Candied Lemon with Whipped Feta & Pistachio-Chili Crumble Recipe
Indulge in the exquisite flavors and textures of Candied Lemon with Whipped Feta & Pistachio-Chili Crumble. This elegant dish combines the sweet tanginess of candied lemons, the creamy richness of whipped feta, and the spicy crunch of pistachio-chili crumble for a sensory journey like no other.
- Author: Douaa
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes (for lemons)
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
For the Savory Crust:
- 100 g savory crackers (e.g., rosemary or sesame flavor)
- 50 g roasted pistachios (unsalted)
- 60 g unsalted butter, melted
For the Whipped Feta Filling:
- 200 g feta cheese
- 150 g cream cheese
- 2 tbsp sour cream
- 1 tsp rosewater (optional but floral and dreamy)
- Fresh cracked pepper to taste
For the Candied Lemon Slices:
- 2 small lemons, very thinly sliced (seeds removed)
- 200 g granulated sugar
- 250 ml water
For the Pistachio-Chili Crumble:
- 40 g chopped toasted pistachios
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes
- 1/4 tsp flaky sea salt
- Drizzle of honey (for garnish)
- Edible rose petals (optional, for visual drama)
- Candy the Lemons: In a saucepan, heat sugar and water until dissolved. Add lemon slices in a single layer and simmer gently for 35–40 min, flipping halfway, until translucent. Let cool on parchment paper.
- Whip the Filling: In a food processor, blend feta, cream cheese, sour cream, rosewater, and black pepper until ultra-smooth and creamy. Chill for 30 min.
- Make the Crust: Pulse crackers and pistachios in a food processor until fine. Mix with melted butter and press into a lined springform pan. Chill to set.
- Assemble the Cheesecake: Spread whipped feta onto the chilled crust. Smooth the top. Arrange candied lemon slices like a mosaic over the top.
- Add the Crumble: Mix pistachios, chili flakes, and flaky salt. Sprinkle generously over the top.
- Finish: Drizzle lightly with honey and scatter edible rose petals if using. Chill at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- For a more intense flavor, consider adding a touch of lemon zest to the whipped feta filling.
- Experiment with different types of chili flakes to adjust the level of spiciness in the crumble.
- Ensure the candied lemon slices are fully cooled before arranging them on the whipped feta layer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 265
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: Candied Lemon, Whipped Feta, Pistachio-Chili Crumble, Dessert Recipe