Greek saganaki is a classic appetizer or meze that can be found in many Greek restaurants all over the world. It is a mouthwatering, golden brown dish that is made with cheese and a few simple ingredients. If you’ve never tried saganaki or want to make it at home, then you’re in luck! In this article, we’ll show you an authentic Greek saganaki recipe that will have you saying “Opa!” in no time!
What is Saganaki?
Saganaki is a popular Greek dish that is typically made with a type of cheese called kefalotyri cheese, breaded and fried to a golden brown perfection. Although the word saganaki can refer to a few different Greek dishes, when used as the name of a dish, it generally refers to this fried cheese meze. It is thought to have originated from the restaurant in Piraeus, Greece, where it was first served in the ’50s.
A saganaki served at the table is traditionally set on fire. When the cheese hits the hot skillet, it gets nice and gooey, then the flames are ignited by the addition of brandy or ouzo. This makes for an impressive culinary experience and a memorable dish. If you’re not comfortable with flambe, then you can skip it and still enjoy a wonderful dish.
What Cheese is Used for Saganaki?
The most commonly used cheese for saganaki is kefalotyri, a traditional Greek cheese. It has a similar texture and flavor to many Italian hard cheeses, like Parmesan or Pecorino Romano. However, it can be difficult to find outside of Greece or a speciality cheese shop. If you can’t find kefalotyri, then you can use other hard Greek cheeses like kefalograviera, graviera, or halloumi, or even an Italian cheese like halloumi, instead. It will be just as delicious and you will still get a golden brown, crispy crust and a creamy inside.
What Ingredients You Need for Saganaki?
The simplest version of saganaki is made with only cheese, flour, and flour for the breading. However, for a fuller flavor and to complement the creamy cheese, many recipes include olive oil, oregano, and lemon juice. These will add a nice depth to the dish and make for a great start to any Greek meal. Be sure to use the best quality ingredients you can find – as with any recipe, the better the ingredients, the better the result!
For the saganaki dip, you’ll need to mix yogurt, lemon, and garlic together to make the perfect sauce to compliment the saganaki. This sauce is so incredibly simple and yet it brings the dish to an entirely new level of flavor.
Greek Saganaki Recipe Steps
Saganaki Dip:
Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, lemon, and garlic. Set aside until ready to serve.
Saganaki:
Step 1: First, you’ll want to prep the cheese. Cut it into eight slices, about 1/2 inch thick.
Step 2: Set up a dredging station: in one shallow bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and pepper. In another shallow bowl, beat the egg with a splash of water. In a third shallow bowl, add the sesame seeds.
Step 3: Dredge the cheese slices in the flour, then coat in the beaten egg, then toss in the sesame seeds. Repeat until all the cheese slices are coated.
Step 4: Preheat a heavy-bottomed skillet, like a cast iron skillet, over medium-high heat. Add in the olive oil and, once hot, reduce the heat to medium. Fry the cheese slices, a few at a time, for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy.
Step 5: Once the cheese slices are all fried, carefully remove the pan from heat. Sprinkle the saganaki with oregano, and pour the lemon juice over the top.
Step 6: If you’re comfortable with flambe, light the saganaki. Otherwise, it’s still a beautiful dish!
Once your saganaki is made, serve with warmed pita bread and the saganaki dip. Enjoy!
Tips for Making Saganaki
The most important tip to remember when making saganaki is to make sure that the pan is hot enough before you add the cheese. You want a nice, even fry so that the cheese stays creamy but the outside gets nice and crispy. Take your time and monitor the heat so that you don’t accidentally burn the cheese.
In Conclusion
Authentic Greek saganaki is a delicious, simple, and versatile dish that makes for a great start to any meal. It is made by crisping up hard cheese in a skillet, then finished with oregano and lemon. Serve this creamy, cheesy, and crispy treat with warmed pita brea
