Deep South Dining

#FetaPasta has tracked millions of views on Tik Tok and has made feta hard to find. Malcolm and Carol talk about the feta phenomenon and welcome back to the show the official silent partner of Deep South Dining, LeAnne Doss Gault. A delightful home cook she almost makes a stir with her post on the Cooking & Coping Facebook page. Also, Deep South Dining opens women's history month by remembering the remarkable Julia Reed.

(recipe courtesy of Food Network)

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Active Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Level: Easy

• 2 pints (20 ounces) cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• One 8-ounce block feta cheese, drained
• 10 ounces mezze rigatoni
• 1 garlic clove, finely grated
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
• Flaky sea salt, for serving

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Toss the cherry tomatoes and olive oil with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and several grinds of black pepper in a medium bowl until combined. Pour into a 2 1/2 to 3-quart baking dish. Place the feta in the center of the tomatoes, then season with a pinch of black pepper. Bake until the tomatoes have burst and the feta has softened, about 30 minutes. Increase the heat to 450 degrees F, then continue to cook until the tomatoes and feta are golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes more.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 13 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of cooking water, then drain well.

Right as the tomatoes and feta come out of the oven, stir in the garlic. Use the back of a spoon to smash the tomatoes and feta into a smooth and creamy sauce (it’s OK if some of the oil isn’t fully integrated and combined). Toss in the pasta and half of the basil until evenly coated. Add some pasta water, a couple tablespoons at a time, if the sauce becomes too thick. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Top with the remaining basil and a pinch of flaky sea salt for serving.

(Recipe Link: How to Make Your TikTok Baked Feta Pasta Just Right, According to a Recipe Developer)