Greek Ish 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.

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 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.

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-ISH GRILLED SHRIMP FROM SMALL VICTORIES

Steps:

• Soak twenty-four wooden skewers in warm water for about 1 hour (this keeps them from burning on the grill). Drain the skewers and set aside.
• Prepare the grill for medium-high heat (or heat a large grill pan set over a couple of burners) and make sure your grates are super-clean.
• Meanwhile, put the shrimp in a large bowl, drizzle with 3 Tbsp of the olive oil, and sprinkle with the salt. Use your hands to toss everything together so that each shrimp gets properly oiled and salted. Thread the shrimp onto the skewers, using two skewers per kabob, so that you end up with a dozen sturdy kabobs.
• Transfer the shrimp kabobs and the lemon halves, cut-side down, to the grill. Let the shrimp cook until the undersides are ever so slightly charred, about 2 minutes. Flip the kabobs and cook until the shrimp are slightly charred on the second side, opaque, and firm to the touch, just about 1 minute longer. At this point, the cut sides of the lemons should be nicely charred.
• Transfer the shrimp and lemon halves to a serving platter and use tongs to help you remove the skewers (discard the skewers; they've done their job). Scatter the feta and oregano over the shrimp and drizzle with the remaining 3 Tbsp olive oil. Use your tongs to help you squeeze the smoky juice from the lemons over the shrimp. I like to leave the juiced halves on the platter along with the shrimp so you and your guests can get a little bit more juice out of them as you eat the shrimp, plus they're kinda beautiful, don't you think? Serve immediately.
• Spin-offs.
• TO MAKE GRILLED SHRIMP WITH BARBECUE SAUCE, oil and salt them as directed and thread them on double skewers. As they're grilling, brush them with your favorite barbecue sauce, or try the Molasses Barbecue Sauce (page 266 in the Small Victories cookbook), the gochujang mixture from the ribs on page 155, or Henley Mustard Sauce (see page 151). Be sure to serve with more sauce on the side.
• Recipe courtesy of Small Victories by Julia Turshen, buy the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Small-Victories-Recipes-Hundreds-Triumphs/dp/1452143099.

GREEK-ISH GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Chop the green garlic in 1/4" pieces. Heat olive oil in a skillet. Add green garlic and saute until limp, about 3 minutes.
• Slice the feta into thin, even slices. When the green garlic is done, transfer to a bowl. Place one pita in the skillet. Sprinkle with half the green garlic, then cover the whole surface with feta. Sprinkle with the remaining green garlic and black pepper, then top with the second pita. Cover and cook on low for 5 minutes. Carefully flip with two spatulas and cook, uncovered, another 5 minutes until golden brown on both sides and cheese is melted. Cut in 4-6 pieces to serve.