Baked Feta with Tomatoes and Oregano

Baked feta is the kind of dish that looks like it took real effort but really just needs you to put a block of cheese in a baking dish, surround it with cherry tomatoes and sliced garlic, and let the oven do the work while the tomatoes blister and the feta turns soft.

Once it comes out, mash the tomatoes and feta together right in the dish and it turns into a warm, chunky, spreadable dip that's begging to be scooped up with crusty bread.

This is a rich, shareable appetizer built around feta and olive oil, so it's worth treating it as the flavorful indulgence it is rather than an everyday staple — a small warm dish meant for gathering around and sharing, best enjoyed in moderation alongside plenty of vegetables and bread to spread it on. It also comes together fast enough to pull off on a weeknight when friends drop by unannounced.