Greek Style Flamin Cheese Dog Food

FLAMING GREEK CHEESE (SAGANAKI)

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.

SAGANAKI (GREEK FLAMING CHEESE)

Steps:

• 1. Dip the block of cheese in water to moisten.
• 2. lightly cover all side with the flour.
• 3. In a sauté pan drizzle with olive oil, and fry about 2-3 mins on each side on medium heat...till brown and crusty.
• 4. Turn off heat..pull pan aside, pour the brandy around the cheese and carefully set on fire with a match or a long lighter...simply turn off with the squeeze of the lemon. Enjoy your flaming Greek cheese! OPA

GREEK HOT DOG SAUCE

Steps:

• Put all the ingredients in a saucepan and add all spices. Before heating, stir into a paste.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for one hour or until liquid is reduced to your liking.
• If you use very lean meat to avoid cholesterol, add a tablespoon or two vegetable oil (I don't suggest olive oil). It's the oil that brings the flavor to the tongue!

SAGANAKI (FLAMING GREEK CHEESE) OOMPA! DANGEROUS AND DELICIOUS!

Steps:

• 1. Heat thin layer of olive oil in frying pan (until tiny bubbles begin to rise)
• 2. Beat egg and milk together. Dip cheese in egg mixture and then into flour.
• 3. Fry until golden brown (appox. 3-5 minutes per side)
• 4. Place on a metal plate. Bring over to your guests who will be wowed. :) Pour the brandy over the cheese and light it as you say Oompa! (Careful, it flames up high!) To put out flame, squeeze lemon over the cheese after the flames settle a bit. Bon Appetit!

GREEK GRILLED CHEESE WITH GROUND LAMB, FETA AND MINT

Steps:

• To make the lamb, in a cast-iron or other heavy skillet, heat the oil over high heat. Add the lamb and cook, stirring to break up the meat with a wooden spoon, until it begins to brown. Add the salt, oregano, and mint and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for about 4 minutes, until the lamb is cooked through. Remove from the heat.
• To make the salad, combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and stir to mix well.
• To fry the chickpeas, pour the oil to a depth of 1 to 2 inches into a heavy saucepan or deep sauté pan and heat to 350 degrees F on a deep-frying thermometer. Add the chickpeas and fry for about 5 minutes, until browned and crisp. Drain the chickpeas on a plate lined with paper towels. Transfer to a bowl. Sprinkle with the chili powder and salt and toss to coat evenly.
• Line up half of the bread slices on a work surface. Top each slice with 2 ounces (about 1/3 cup) of the cheese, one-fourth each of the lamb, salad, and chickpeas, and then finish with another 1 ounce (about 2 1/2 tablespoons) of the cheese. Close the sandwiches with the remaining bread slices.
• Line a large platter with paper towels. In a skillet over high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. Turn down the heat to low, add 1 sandwich, and cook, turning once, for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until browned and crisp on both sides and the cheese is melted. Transfer to the prepared platter to blot the excess grease. Repeat with the remaining butter and sandwiches.
• Cut the sandwiches in half, plate, and serve.

CHICAGO-STYLE HOT DOG GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• To make the giardiniera, combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve the salt. Transfer to a heatproof bowl, let cool, and then let marinate in the liquid until serving. (The giardiniera will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.)
• To make the relish, combine all of the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped and incorporated.
• To cook the hot dogs, in a saucepan, combine the beer and hot dogs and bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from the heat and let the hot dogs cool in the beer. On a charcoal or gas grill or a stove-top grill pan, sear the hot dogs over high heat, turning as needed, until lightly charred.
• Line up half of the bread slices on a work surface. Top each slice with 1/8 of the cheese, 3 tablespoons pickle relish, 1/2 hot dog (2 pieces), 1/4 cup drained giardiniera, 2 tomato slices, and another 1/8 of the cheese. Close the sandwiches with the remaining bread slices.
• Line a large platter with paper towels. In a skillet over high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. Turn down the heat to low, add 1 sandwich, and cook, turning once, for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until browned and crisp on both sides and the cheese is melted. Transfer to the prepared platter to blot the excess grease. Repeat with the remaining butter and sandwiches.
• Cut the sandwiches in half, plate, and serve.

SAGANAKI: FLAMING CHEESE

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!

SAGANAKI (FRIED CHEESE) GREEK STYLE

Steps:

• Cut the cheese into strips 2 " wide and 1/2" thick.
• Place strips one by one under the cold water tap and coat lightly with flour, set aside until you have dredged all the strips.
• Heat oil in a heavy skillet and pan fry the cheese, turn once until golden brown on both sides.
• Remove dab with paper towels and serve immediately with lemon wedges.

FLAMING CHEESE (GREEK SAGANAKI)

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.