Broiled Feta Saganaki Recipes

FLAMING GREEK CHEESE (SAGANAKI)

This flaming cheese ritual was started by restaurateurs in Chicago, who encouraged customers to yell, 'Opa!' as the plate was being ignited. You can recreate the tradition at home in minutes, whether you'd like to spark up a little romance with an old flame on date night or just try a fast and fun cheese dish on a chilly weeknight. Serve with sliced fresh or grilled bread.

Provided by Chef John

Categories Appetizers and Snacks Dips and Spreads Recipes Cheese Dips and Spreads Recipes

Time 13m

Yield 2

Number Of Ingredients 7

Flaming Greek Cheese (Saganaki) image

Steps:

Brush each side of the kasseri cheese with water. Dredge both sides in flour, making sure the surface is completely covered.
Preheat a well seasoned cast iron skillet on medium-high heat until smoking. Pour in olive oil. Carefully place the floured cheese in the hot oil. Cook until cheese begins to ooze and a golden brown crust forms, about 2 minutes. Quickly flip cheese over with a spatula. Fry until bottom is golden brown, about 30 seconds more.
Remove skillet from heat and transfer onto a napkin-lined plate. Pour brandy over the cheese. Light the brandy using a fireplace lighter. Now you can exclaim "Opa!" and marvel at the fire. Squeeze some lemon juice on top to extinguish the last few flames and garnish with parsley.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 391.2 calories, Carbohydrate 15 g, Cholesterol 61.2 mg, Fat 25.4 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 16.3 g, SaturatedFat 11.2 g, Sodium 543.5 mg, Sugar 0.1 g

Ingredients

1 (4 ounce) package kasseri cheese
1 tablespoon water, or as needed
¼ cup all-purpose flour, or as needed
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons brandy, at room temperature
½ lemon, or to taste
1 tablespoon freshly chopped Italian parsley

GREEK FETA SAGANAKI

Saganaki is a cheese-based Greek appetizer. The original Greek version is typically fried. The cheese is typically made from sheep's milk. Delicious regional variations include the use of Formaella cheese in Arachova and cheese in Cyprus. In the United States, saganaki is made differently. Instead of being fried, the cheese is usually covered with Brandy extract, and set aflame at the table when served (typically with a shout of "Opa"). The cheese is then extinguished with the juice of a fresh-squeezed lemon and sometimes served with pita bread. The invention of the "Flaming Saganaki" is usually attributed to Chicago restaurateur Chris Liakouras. What we're going to be making is a pan-fried version with slices of ripe tomatoes.

Provided by tha ARTIST

Categories Cheese

Time 10m

Yield 8 slices, 2-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

Greek Feta Saganaki image

Steps:

Slice your feta into small squares, about 2×4 inches- you should be able to get 8 slices out of the 8 ounces.
In a small bowl- beat egg with oregano. Dip each slice of feta in egg, shake of excess and coat with flour till evenly covered.
In a large frying pan- heat olive oil over medium heat. Quickly cook cheese in oilve oil, until golden on both sides. Pat dry with paper towels.
Arrange feta on a large (& pretty) plate with thick tomato slices, season with S & P, garnish with basil.
Enjoy!

Ingredients

8 ounces feta cheese
1 egg
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 cup flour, all-purpose
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large tomatoes, sliced
dried leaf basil, for decorational effect
salt & pepper, to taste

GREAT APPETIZER: OVEN BAKED FETA WITH TOMATOES & PEPPERS

A classic recipe from Northern Greece that is ready in just 30 minutes!

Provided by Marilena Leavitt

Categories Appetizer

Time 30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

Great appetizer: Oven Baked Feta with Tomatoes & Peppers image

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 425˚F.
Slice the pearl tomatoes horizontally (each one in four pieces) and place on paper towels to drain. (If you are using one large tomato, cut the end pieces and slice the rest in six slices). After 3-4 minutes, turn them over and place on new paper towels. Cut the pepper into four rings and set aside.
Oil well a small, shallow ceramic baking dish (or four individual ceramic ramekins) and place half of the tomato slices at the bottom. Sprinkle with some sea salt and crushed pepper flakes. Top with half the bell pepper slices.
Arrange the two Feta pieces on top of the tomato/pepper layer, place the remaining tomato slices on top of each piece of cheese, and place the rest of the bell pepper rings on the tomato. Drizzle liberally with the extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle with oregano and some more pepper flakes, and transfer to the middle of the oven.
Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the feta turns a light-golden color and the oil is sizzling. If you want to deepen the color, you can place the dish under the broiler for 1-2 minutes at the end of the cooking time.
Brush some olive oil on the slices of good, multigrain bread, and grill on both sides. Serve the baked feta immediately with some warm grilled bread.

Ingredients

8 ripe pearl tomatoes, or, 1 large vine-ripened tomato
4 TBSP. extra virgin olive oil
--- sea salt & crushed red pepper flakes
½ medium green bell pepper (or 2 sweet banana peppers)
2 thick slices of Greek Feta (about 6 oz.)
1 tsp. dried Greek oregano
4 slices of hearty multigrain bread, grilled

GRILLED FETA WITH NUTS

This skillet of warmed feta and nuts can tide guests over before dinner or embellish a meal of grilled lamb kebabs, mixed vegetables, pork or chicken. Inspired by saganaki, a fried-cheese appetizer from Greece, the feta here is surrounded by nuts, olive oil, honey and herbs. Thyme, oregano or za'atar adds earthiness to the salty feta and sweet honey, but you could incorporate orange or lemon peel, fresh or dried chile, or any other aromatics you like on spiced nuts. You could also trade the nuts for tomatoes, dates, salami or olives. Whatever you do, be sure to drizzle the herbed honey and oil over each spoonful of feta. (See this roasted feta recipe for oven instructions.)

Provided by Ali Slagle

Categories dinner, easy, lunch, weeknight, finger foods, appetizer, side dish

Time 20m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

Grilled Feta With Nuts image

Steps:

Heat the grill to medium-high. Lightly grease the bottom of a small or medium cast-iron skillet with extra-virgin olive oil.
Place the block of feta in the center of the skillet, then scatter the nuts around the feta. Drizzle the feta and nuts with the 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus the honey and thyme. Season generously with black pepper.
Place the skillet on the grates, cover the grill, and cook until the feta is soft to the touch and nuts are warm, 8 to 10 minutes. Serve right away with bread or stone fruit, or both.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing
8 ounce block of feta, patted dry
1/3 cup raw almonds, walnut pieces or hazelnuts
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme or oregano leaves or za'atar
Black pepper
Grilled bread (or pita) or stone fruit, or both, for serving