Greek Influenced Grilled Cheese Recipes

GRILLED RIBEYES WITH GREEK RELISH

Steps:

• For relish, combine tomatoes, onion, olives, cilantro, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, oil and garlic., Drizzle remaining lemon juice over steaks. Grill steaks, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from heat 5-7 minutes on each side or until meat reaches desired doneness (for medium-rare, a thermometer should read 135°; medium, 140°; medium-well, 145°). Let stand 5 minutes before cutting steaks in half. Serve with relish and cheese.

GREEK GRILLED CHEESE TACOS

Steps:

• Trim ends from zucchini. Use a vegetable peeler to make long, thin ribbons of zucchini. For veggie filling, place zucchini ribbons, lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, olives and basil in large bowl. For dressing, in small bowl, beat oil, lemon juice, salt and black pepper with whisk; pour over vegetable mixture, and toss to coat.
• Heat gas or charcoal grill. Cut block of cheese in half horizontally to form 2 blocks. Place both blocks of cheese directly on grill over high heat. Cook uncovered 4 to 6 minutes, turning once, until browned. Remove from grill. Cut each grilled cheese block into 12 cubes to make 24 cubes.
• Heat tortillas on grill about 30 seconds or until warm, turning once. Fill tortillas with veggie filling, and top with grilled cheese.

GREEK-STYLE CREAM CHEESE

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix the cream cheese with feta, zest, oregano and pepper until smooth. Transfer to a serving dish and refrigerate until ready to use.

GREEK GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH

Steps:

• Cut four 1/2-inch-thick slices from middle of loaf and brush both sides of each slice with some oil.
• Cut enough 1/4-inch-thick slices from feta to cover 2 slices of bread and cut tomato into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
• Assemble 2 sandwiches with feta and tomato slices, seasoning filling with oregano, pepper, and salt.
• In a 12-inch nonstick skillet heat 1 tablespoon oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and cook sandwiches until golden, about 2 minutes on each side.

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.

GRILLED GREEK CHICKEN BREASTS WITH WHIPPED FETA

Steps:

• Cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise.
• Combine red wine vinegar, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne, thyme, oregano, rosemary, and garlic powder in a bowl. Add chicken and toss until thoroughly and evenly coated. Pour in ¼ cup olive oil and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 to 12 hours, but 2 to 3 hours is ideal.
• Place Greek yogurt in another bowl and crumble in feta cheese. Add garlic, mint, and lemon zest and whip with an electric hand mixer or whisk until light and fluffy. Taste and adjust as needed. Refrigerate until needed.
• Preheat a charcoal grill until coals are white and very hot.
• Grill chicken over the hot coals for about 4 minutes per side; continue to flip and grill chicken until no longer pink in the center and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of each piece reads at least 150 degrees F (65 degrees C). Remove from the grill and let rest for about 5 minutes.
• Spread whipped feta onto a serving platter or plate and place chicken over top. Sprinkle with fresh Italian parsley and mint and serve.

GREEK-STYLE RIBEYE STEAKS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the first five ingredients; rub onto both sides of steaks. In a large skillet, cook steaks in oil for 7-9 minutes on each side or until meat reaches desired doneness (for medium-rare a thermometer should read 135°; medium, 140°; medium-well, 145°). Sprinkle with lemon juice, cheese and olives. Serve immediately.

GREEK GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Cut four 1/2-inch-thick slices from middle of loaf and brush both sides of each slice with some oil. Cut enough 1/4-inch-thick slices from feta to cover 2 slices of bread and cut tomato into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Assemble 2 sandwiches with feta and tomato slices, seasoning filling with oregano, pepper, and salt.
• In a 12-inch nonstick skillet heat 1 tablespoon oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and cook sandwiches until golden, about 2 minutes on each side.

GREEK INFLUENCED GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat a skillet over medium heat. Butter one side of each slice of bread. On the non buttered side of one slice, layer the feta cheese, Cheddar cheese, red onion and tomato. Top with the other slice of bread with the butter side out. Fry the sandwich until golden brown on each side, about 2 minutes per side. The second side always cooks faster.