Greek Fried Cheese Bread Recipes

GREEK SAGANAKI

Steps:

• Slice feta into 2x3/8 inch squares, about 8 slices. In a small bowl, beat the egg with the oregano. Dip each slice of feta in egg, shake off excess, and coat in flour.
• Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Quickly cook cheese in olive oil until golden, turning once. Pat dry with paper towels.
• Arrange feta on a plate with thick tomato slices, season with black pepper, and garnish with lemon wedges.

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.

GREEK CHEESE BREAD (TIROPOSOMO)

Steps:

• Put the flour in a bowl and mix in the salt evenly. Mix the honey and the yeast with the 1/2 cup of water. Make a small dip in the center of the flour and add the yeast/honey water. Mix just a small amount of the flour into the yeast/honey water and cover the bowl and set it in a warm place for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, mix in the rest of the flour, along with enough additional water to make a soft, but not sticky dough. Mix the additional water in a little at a time. Gather the dough into a ball and turn it out onto a working surface and knead it until it is smooth and pliable (about 10 minutes).
• Put the dough back in the bowl, and cover it with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place until double in size.
• Brush a shallow oven dish with oil and place the dough into it. Flatten the dough out with your hands, to cover the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese evenly over the dough and press it in with your fingers. Sprinkle the oregano evenly over the cheese. Brush the edges of the dough with olive oil and pour the rest of the oil over the cheese.
• Let the dough rise uncovered for 30 mins and place in a preheated 450 oven for 30 mins, or until it has a golden color.
• Enjoy!

FRIED FETA GREEK SALAD PITAS

Steps:

• Combine the olives, cucumbers, red pepper and onion in a mixing bowl. Add the lemon juice, olive oil, a big pinch of salt and some black pepper and toss to combine. Allow to marinate in the refrigerator while you make the feta.
• For the feta, prepare a dredging station. In a rimmed dish, add the flour. In a separate rimmed dish, whisk the egg with a splash of water. In a third separate dish, whisk together the breadcrumbs, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few turns of black pepper. Coat each chunk of feta in the flour and tap off the excess. Dunk in the beaten egg and then coat in the breadcrumbs, tapping off the excess.
• Heat a 1/4-inch layer of olive oil in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. (Test to see if it is hot enough by sprinkling a bit of breadcrumb in the oil. If it sizzles right away, it's ready.) Carefully place the breaded feta cubes in the oil and fry in batches for 90 seconds to 2 minutes on the first side, undisturbed. Flip and fry on the other side for another minute or so, or until golden brown. Remove to a cooling rack set over a baking sheet and allow excess oil to drain. Repeat until all pieces are fried.
• To serve, slice open each pita and create a pocket. Schmear a big plop of hummus inside each one, followed by some arugula. Top with a pile of the Greek salad, a few chunks of the warm, fried feta, a dollop of yogurt and a few pieces of mint. Serve with lemon wedges and hot sauce, if desired.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix together the water, sugar and yeast just to dissolve. Add the oil and salt and then gradually add the flour. Increase the speed to medium-high and mix for 7 to 10 minutes, adding just enough additional flour so that the dough no longer sticks to the bowl. Do not add too much flour. The dough should be smooth and slightly sticky. Lightly coat a clean large bowl with oil or cooking spray, then place the dough in the bowl and turn it once or twice to coat it in oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise at room temperature for 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
• Turn the dough onto a clean work surface and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Mold each piece into a ball by stretching the top and tucking the edges under. Place the balls 1 inch apart on a piece of parchment paper, cover them with plastic wrap and let them rise for 30 minutes.
• Set an oven rack in the middle position. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.
• With a rolling pin, roll out the balls of dough into 6-inch circles. Place them on the baking sheets and bake for about 5 minutes, or until they're puffy and just starting to brown.

FRIED CHEESE BREAD

Steps:

• Stir yeast and water together in a small bowl until yeast is dissolved. In a large bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, the whole wheat flour, cornmeal, salt and anise seed. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture. Stir until mixed. Place dough on a floured surface.
• Begin kneading dough, adding as much flour as needed so that dough is not too sticky. Knead for 10 to 15 minutes, until smooth and shiny. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl and brush top with 1 teaspoon of oil. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Punch the dough down and let rise until doubled again, about 1 hour. Punch down the dough and place on a lightly floured surface and roll out to a 10-inch circle. Let rise for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Heat 3 tablespoons of the oil in a large, ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Place dough in skillet and brush with remaining oil. Sprinkle with grated onion, goat cheese, oregano and pepper. Fry until bottom of dough is crisp and brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Place skillet in oven and bake until top is browned and cheese melted, about 15 minutes. Let cool a little before serving.

GREEK FRIED CHEESE BREAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, stir together the yeast and water until yeast is dissolved.
• In large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, cornmeal, salt, and anise seed.
• Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture.
• Stir until mixed.
• Place dough on a floured surface; begin kneading dough. Add as much flour as needed so dough isn't too sticky.
• Knead for 10-15 minutes until smooth and shiny.
• Put dough in a lightly oiled bowl and brush top with 1 teaspoon of oil.
• Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm place until doubled in bulk, 1 1/2 hours.
• Punch dough down and let it rise until doubled again, about 1 hour.
• Punch down the dough and place on a lightly floured surface; roll out to a 10-inch circle.
• Let it rise for a half hour.
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium heat.
• Place dough in skillet and brush with remaining oil.
• Sprinkle with the onion, goat cheese, oregano, and pepper.
• Fry until bottom of dough is crisp and brown, approximately 6 to 8 minutes.
• Place skillet in oven and bake until top is browned and cheese melted, about 15 minutes.
• Let cool a bit before serving.