In on the TikTok Craze

I'm certainly not in on the TikTok craze like other millennials or gen z's, but I've seen more than enough TikTok video's via Instagram that caught my curiosity. I am occasionally tempted to get behind the camera and do those cheesy clips with my own Mr. Man, but then I think about being on the internet creating bad or embarrassing content that will be stuck on the net for a lifetime. That is when I get over it and think passed it all.

What caught my attention recently though, was the famous oven roasted cherry tomato and feta dish. I love cherry tomatoes and I love feta. But, after trying this dish, I don't think I like them together unless they are uncooked and in a salad.

What seemed great about the dish was that it was easy. However, after trying it out, I realized that the roasting/baking process still takes 40 minutes, PLUS, you still have to dirty at least 2 pots. One for your tomato and feta mixture and another so you can boil your pasta. Then there's the strainer for your pasta. Not as simple and easy as I had hoped for.

Alas, if you are interested in the recipe to try it out yourself, look no further. Here's the recipe I followed:

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Ingredients:

• 1 box of pasta of your choice (we chose GF Fusilli)

• 4 cups cherry tomatoes

• 1 container of feta, drained (I used the compliments feta)

• 3 cloves garlic

• 2 Tablespoons olive oil

• 1 teaspoon oregano

• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

• salt and pepper to taste

• Grated parmesan

• Fresh basil

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400F

2. Get a large glass/ceramic/tin ovenproof bowl and add cherry tomatoes to container

3. Add tomatoes to your ovenproof bowl and season with oregano, salt, and pepper. Add the whole garlic cloves to the dish, then add one tablespoon of olive oil to tomatoes and coat with seasoning and olive oil. You can use your hands for this.

4. Get your drained feta and place it in the centre of the tomatoes. Top feta with red pepper flakes and 1 Tablespoon of olive oil.

5. Bake in your preheated oven uncovered for 40 minutes.

6. Meanwhile, while your feta and tomatoes are baking, boil your water in a pot and add some salt to your water.

7. Cook your pasta as directed on the box.

8. Once pasta is ready, find yourself a 1 cup measurer and scoop out 1 cup of pasta water. *Whenever you are making a pasta dish, keep some pasta water to mix with your sauce. This helps bind the sauce to your noodles.*

9. Drain your pasta.

10. Your roasted tomato and feta dish should be ready. If not, wait until the timer goes off. Then grab your oven mitts and pull your ovenproof skillet out. Grab a spatula or spoon press into the garlic cloves. Now mix the tomatoes with the feta. Pour your pasta water into the tomato mixture and mix well.

11. Mix some of your fresh basil leaves to the tomato mixture then add your cooked pasta.

12. You can add some additional fresh basil to the pasta or add it separately when you plate your pasta.

13. Once plating, top your pasta with some parmesan and enjoy!

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This meal sounded decent, but I really don't think it was really worth the hype. The basil did however make it more worth it. Basil is the answer to most dishes.

Also, if you've got a picky tomato hating person in your family, omit the tomatoes and use sweet bell peppers, red onion, and black olives. You'd be creating a more Greek looking dish that way.

Mind you, if I were to make this dish again, I think I would go for goat cheese instead of feta. I would also mix some fresh baby spinach or kale into the meal as well.

Overall, I found it to be pretty blah. The man of the house was also unimpressed. So much so that he didn't go for seconds like he normally does.

Oh well, at least we tried it, right?

Will you be trying it? Or will you give the other alternate versions a try?

Have a great day and happy eating!