People from Jackson, especially from Millsaps, have a really strong love for a place called Keifer's. It's right near campus and has two great patio's so it was a favorite for lunch and dinner on the weekends. Keifer's is one of those places that those of us who have moved away always crave. It's the one place we MUST go when we make it back to Jackson. The gyro's are good but I think what makes the place, other than the atmosphere, is the Feta Dressing. My favorite thing there is the Pita Mozzarella ("Pita Mozz") -- a pita, with fried cheese on the top, served with Feta Dressing.While I was home this week, without Ryan, Mom, Dad and I went for dinner. After some talking with the waiter about how to bring Ryan some food home, we decided I would buy a 16oz cup of the dressing. The waiter wrapped the cup in several layers of plastic wrap. I packed it in a box with ice packs and bubble wrap and checked it on the plane for my trip home (Feta Dressing in quantities greater than 3oz are not allowed through security!).
I stopped by HEB and picked up some Pita Bread and Mozzarella cheese to give the Pita Mozz a try. I was not really sure how to make it so I just played around. This is what worked:
Pita Mozz
Pita Bread
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Feta Dressing
Heat non-stick pan over medium-high heat -- it did NOT work in a stainless pan, maybe with some cooking spray but I am still not sure the pan I used can be saved.
Place on pita bread in pan and sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top.
Leave on this side until cheese starts to get soft and melt. I sort of pressed it all down with the spatula to make it stick together.Flip pita so the cheese side is down. Let cook a couple of minutes, until the cheese gets a good brown crust on it. Quickly slide the spatula under and move to a plate, cheese side up. Serve with feta dressing.
I think our new normal will be bringing back a cup of Feta Dressing each time we go to Jackson, or my parents bringing it when we come. This will satisfy our cravings in the off months between trips home!
11 comments:
Nice. I willtry this this weekend. We need to find out the recipe for that damn crack... I mean dressing. We love you guys
James, Shelley and Helmi
While it's no substitute for Keifer's feta cheese dressing, Trader Joe's makes a "Greek Feta Cheese Dressing." It's thinner than Keifer's, but if you add a little crumbled feta to it, it comes close (and can help with those "not in Mississippi" cravings). I moved to Georgia three years ago, and every time I go home, I HAVE to stop by Keifer's!
I am from Jackson and this is the closest thing to Keifer's feta dressing that I have made so far. It was a little thick, but spot on taste :) Next time I might just hold back a little on the feta cheese to get the consistency right.
Yogurt Feta Dressing
Ingredients (makes about 3 cups, but it will keep in the fridge for up to a month):
1 cup plain thick Greek yogurt (I recommend using Mayonnaise if you want it to be more like Keifers).
2 cups feta cheese
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 clove garlic
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp. olive oil
A pinch (about 1/2 tsp.) each of dried basil and dried oregano
Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until combined. Don’t blend until it’s completely smooth; you want to preserve some of the feta chunks!
My mouth is watering reading this right now! I grew up going to Keifer's and I think about this bread all the time! I moved away from Jackson 30 years ago. No one can appreciate it until they've
tried it! Thanks for posting this! I can't wait to make it!
I TOO LOVE THAT DRESSING! I WANT SOME RIGHT NOW BUT THEY CLOSE IN TEN MINUTES! I'M ALSO FROM JACKSON, AND I MUST SAY IT'S THE BEST!
If you live on the MS Gulfcoast, visit Aristo's In D'iberville. This restaurant is modeled after Keifers in Jackson, and they handmade the feta ranch dressing there! I used to work there, and the owners are friends of mine. It's really a great place!
So very very very happy I found this. I just recently moved to Napa California and I miss Keifers the most! I've been craving it and feeling so sad I couldn't have any. You've just made my day. <3
My son requested that I make him a pita mozz like the ones at Keifer's so I searched and found this! It was a hit! Anything I make that my son will eat is a winner in my book!
In response to the recipe for the Keifer's feta dressing:
I think there must be a typo in the recipe you posted here. 1/2cup red wine vinegar is waaaaayyyy to much! I made it tonight exactly as written and it was very running and had a very strong vinegar flavor. I think all it really needs is to reduce the vinegar, then it would be perfect!
I agree! Tried the recipe the commenter posted and it was all vinegar. I haven't tried tweaking the recipe yet.
So glad you posted this! I moved from Jackson to New England 3 years ago, and was looking for this very recipe online! Bless you!!!!
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