Best 4 Saganaki Flaming Greek Cheese Oompa Dangerous And Delicious Recipes

Saganaki flaming Greek cheese is a traditional Greek dish that is both delicious and dangerous. It is made with kefalotyri cheese, which is a hard, salty cheese that is similar to Parmesan. The cheese is coated in flour and then fried in a pan until it is golden brown and bubbly. Then, it is flambéed with brandy or ouzo, which creates a dramatic flame that is sure to impress your guests. The result is a crispy, gooey cheese that is perfect for dipping in pita bread or vegetables. While saganaki is a delicious dish, it is important to be careful when preparing it. The flaming brandy or ouzo can easily catch fire, so it is important to keep a close eye on the pan. Additionally, the cheese is very hot when it is first cooked, so it is important to let it cool slightly before eating it.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

SAGANAKI - GREEK FRIED CHEESE

Saganaki - Greek Fried Cheese image

The authentic Greek cheese appetizer: Crunchy on the outside, melted cheese on the inside and warm.

Provided by OliveTomato.com

Categories Appetizer

Number Of Ingredients 4

Ingredients

1 tablespoon of olive oil
Flour
1 thick square slice of kefalotyri or other hard cheese
Lemon for serving

Steps:

Take the slice of cheese and dip it in cold water, then in white flour, shaking to remove excess and smoothing it with your fingers.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a small pan under medium heat. Once hot, place the cheese in the pan and fry for about 2 minutes than flip carefully (I use a thin rubber spatula). Be careful not to let the crust slide off. Fry on the other side for about 2 minutes. The crust should be golden.
Remove from pan and place on a plate, squeeze some lemon over it and serve right away.

FLAMING GREEK CHEESE (SAGANAKI)

Flaming Greek Cheese (Saganaki) image

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

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

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

FLAMING CHEESE (GREEK SAGANAKI)

Flaming Cheese (Greek Saganaki) image

Greek restaurants famous Flaming Cheese. The hard Greek cheese can be found in Greek or Middle Eastern grocery stores and gourmet food shops.

Provided by Deb Mattson

Categories Greek

Time 32m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

kasseri cheese
salt & freshly ground black pepper
2 cups brandy
1 cup flour
4 tablespoons butter, softened
2 lemons, juice of
8 pita bread, brushed with olive oil and grilled
1 cup kalamata olive

Steps:

1 Season both sides of cheese with salt and pepper. Place cheese in shallow dish and cover with brandy. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.
2 Season flour with salt and freshly ground pepper.
3 Remove cheese from dish, reserve 1/4 c brandy. Dredge cheese in seasoned flour coating completely.
4 In a large saute pan over medium heat, melt butter.
5 Pan fry cheese 2 minutes per side. Add reserved brandy and carefully flame the brandy, shaking pan back and forth several times.
6 Add lemon juice.
7 Remove cheese from pan and serve with pita bread and olives.

SAGANAKI: FLAMING CHEESE

Saganaki: Flaming Cheese image

This is so very simple, very impressive and fun to make! "Opa"... (Prep time includes marinade time)

Provided by rosie316

Categories Spreads

Time 2h5m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

Ingredients

1 lb kasseri cheese (sliced 1/2-inch thick, brick or wheel)
2 tablespoons olive oil (more if needed)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup brandy or 1/2 cup ouzo
2 fresh lemons, cut into wedges
4 pita bread, warmed and cut into triangles for serving

Steps:

Slice the cheese into 1/2" thick triangles or 3-4" squares (depending on the style you buy).
Place brandy into a zip-lock baggie and add cheese portions, seal and let marinate for 2 hours).
Heat oil in a cast iron skillet over a med/high heat. Remove cheese portions from marinade, reserving marinade for later use.
Dredge cheese thru the flour, shaking off excess.
Fry the cheese slices approx 2 minutes, flip with spatula and fry an additional 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat when nicely seared on each side and gooey.
Now here is where you need to heed a caution -- Carefully carry the cast iron skillet to the dinner table. Pour 1 ounce of the brandy marinade over the top of the fried cheese, and immediately set ablaze with a lighter. (Be sure to yell "Opa". Immediately squeeze a lemon slice over the top to dowse the flames.
Serve with warmed pita slices and additional lemon wedges. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 229, Fat 5.1, SaturatedFat 0.7, Sodium 215.2, Carbohydrate 28.1, Fiber 1.6, Sugar 1, Protein 4.4

Tips:

Choose the Right Cheese: Opt for firm, salty cheeses like Kefalotyri or Kasseri for authentic Saganaki. Feta can be used but may crumble.
Slice Cheese Properly: Cut cheese into 1/2-inch thick slices to ensure even cooking and prevent it from melting too quickly.
Heat Pan Evenly: Preheat a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat to create a uniform cooking surface.
Sear Cheese Patiently: Allow the cheese to sear undisturbed for a few minutes to develop a golden crust.
Flip Carefully: Use a spatula to gently flip the cheese only once to prevent it from breaking.
Enhance with Lemon: Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the cheese just before serving to brighten the flavors.
Flambé Safely: If opting for the flambé presentation, ensure the pan is hot enough to ignite the brandy or cognac safely.

Conclusion:

Saganaki, a symbol of Greek culinary heritage, offers a unique and unforgettable dining experience. Whether enjoyed as a shareable appetizer or a main course, this dish captivates with its simplicity, bold flavors, and theatrical presentation. Mastering the art of Saganaki requires attention to detail, from selecting the right cheese to executing the flambé with finesse. Embark on this culinary journey to impress your guests and relish the authentic taste of Greece. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't be discouraged if your first attempt isn't flawless. With patience and a few tries, you'll be able to execute this dish like a pro, leaving your dinner companions amazed and craving more.