Broiled Feta Saganaki Recipes

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.

BROILED FETA WITH GARLICKY CHERRY TOMATOES & CAPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler and set the oven rack in the top position. Place the feta in a small (1-quart) baking dish and set aside.
• Heat the oil in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, salt, pepper and sugar; cook, stirring frequently, until the tomatoes are softened and starting to burst, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the capers.
• Scatter the tomatoes around the feta and broil until the feta is softened and browned on top, 3 to 4 minutes (but keep an eye on it as broilers vary greatly.) Serve warm with bread.

GREAT APPETIZER: OVEN BAKED FETA WITH TOMATOES & PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425˚F.
• Slice the pearl tomatoes horizontally (each one in four pieces) and place on paper towels to drain. (If you are using one large tomato, cut the end pieces and slice the rest in six slices). After 3-4 minutes, turn them over and place on new paper towels. Cut the pepper into four rings and set aside.
• Oil well a small, shallow ceramic baking dish (or four individual ceramic ramekins) and place half of the tomato slices at the bottom. Sprinkle with some sea salt and crushed pepper flakes. Top with half the bell pepper slices.
• Arrange the two Feta pieces on top of the tomato/pepper layer, place the remaining tomato slices on top of each piece of cheese, and place the rest of the bell pepper rings on the tomato. Drizzle liberally with the extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle with oregano and some more pepper flakes, and transfer to the middle of the oven.
• Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the feta turns a light-golden color and the oil is sizzling. If you want to deepen the color, you can place the dish under the broiler for 1-2 minutes at the end of the cooking time.
• Brush some olive oil on the slices of good, multigrain bread, and grill on both sides. Serve the baked feta immediately with some warm grilled bread.

BROILED FETA-SAGANAKI

Steps:

• Adjust an oven rack 4 inches from the broiler element and heat the broiler. Pat the feta dry with paper towels and place on a foil-lined baking sheet (or in a broiler-safe gratin dish). Sprinkle with the red pepper flakes and ground black pepper. Broil until the edges of the cheese are golden, 3 to 8 minutes. Drizzle with the oil and sprinkle with the parsley. Serve immediately.