Make Fried Kasseri Cheese with Cucumber Sauce

A unique variation of Greek saganaki, a cheese-based appetizer of fried cheese, this recipe combines the complex, rich flavors of Kasseri cheese (traditionally made with sheep's milk or goat's milk) with a cool, refreshing cucumber sauce. Although the recipe for this appetizer may seem difficult to some, it is actually quite easy with these step-by-step instructions. Your taste buds will thank you for indulging in this traditional treat with a gourmet twist.

Ingredients

 * Kasseri Cheese (for 2 people, we usually make 2 or 3 wedges of "Stella Kasseri Cheese")
 * Baguette bread - sliced (you can use both French baguette and sun dried tomato baguette, a good substitute is sun dried tomato flat out bread)
 * 3 Eggs – beaten
 * Italian style breadcrumbs
 * Vegetable oil

Cucumber Sauce

 * 3 – 4 teaspoons lemon juice (more or less to taste)
 * 3 teaspoons garlic powder (more or less to taste)
 * 3 – 4 good-sized cucumbers
 * 16 ounces of sour cream or plain yogurt

Sauce Preparation

 * 1) [[Image:01_Sauce_Preparation_-_Ingredients_29.JPG|thumb|Sauce Preparation - Ingredients]]Gather your ingredients for the sauce.
 * 2) [[Image:02_Sauce_Preparation_-_Cut_up_Cucumbers_950.JPG|thumb|Sauce Preparation - Cut up the Cucumbers]]Peel the cucumbers, cut them lengthwise into quarters, and then cut into small pieces.
 * 3) [[Image:03_Sauce_Preparation_-_Cucumbers_blended_in_blender_514.JPG|thumb|Sauce Preparation - Cucumbers blended in blender]]Put the cucumber pieces into a blender and liquefy.
 * 4) [[Image:04_Sauce_Preparation_-_Straining_blended_cucumbers_180.JPG|thumb|Sauce Preparation - Straining blended cucumbers]]Strain the cucumber juice through a small-screened sieve. You will be using the pulp.
 * 5) [[Image:05_Sauce_Preparation_-__Cucumber_juice_may_be_drank_or_discarded_304.JPG|thumb|Sauce Preparation - Drink or discard Cucumber juice]]Drink, save, or discard the leftover cucumber liquid.
 * 6) [[Image:06_Sauce_Preparation_-_Finished_Sauce_651.JPG|thumb|Sauce Preparation - Finished Sauce]]Mix the sour cream, cucumber pulp, garlic powder, and lemon juice together, using more or less garlic powder and/or lemon juice to taste.
 * 7) [[Image:Cucumber_Sauce_In_Dessert_Glasses_737.jpg|thumb|Cucumber Sauce In Dessert Dishes]]Serve the sauce in individual dessert dishes.

Cheese Preparation

 * 1) [[Image:07_Cheese_Preparation_-_Stella_brand_Kasseri_Cheese_112.JPG|thumb|Cheese Preparation - Stella brand Kasseri Cheese]]Take cheese out of packages and let sit until it reaches room temperature. (If the cheese is too cold, then during the time it takes to cook, the outer part of the cheese will melt but the inner part will still be too solid and not melted. And if kept in the oil longer to get the inside melted, then the breading will burn).
 * 2) [[Image:09_Cheese_Preparation_-_Beaten_Eggs_and_Bread_Crumbs_on_plates_284.JPG|thumb|Cheese Preparation - Beaten Eggs and Bread Crumbs on plates]]Beat the eggs and pour onto a plate. Pour Italian breadcrumbs onto another plate.
 * 3) Dip all sides of the cheese into the egg mixture, then into breadcrumbs to bread the cheese.
 * 4) Set cheese on another plate and let the breading on the cheese dry.
 * 5) [[Image:10_Cheese_Preparation_-_Double_breaded_Kasseri_Cheese_Wedges_859.JPG|thumb|Cheese Preparation - Double breaded Kasseri Cheese Wedges]]Repeat the breading process. They must be double breaded so the cheese won’t melt through the breading during cooking.
 * 6) [[Image:11_Cheese_Preparation_-_Frying_pan_with_vegetable_oil_and_skillet_on_stove_423.jpg|thumb|Frying pan with vegetable oil and skillet on stove]]Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan on slightly less than medium setting. (Use enough vegetable oil to come half way up the sides of the cheese during cooking). Also heat up a skillet (such as one used for making tortillas, with shallow side walls).
 * 7) [[Image:12_Cheese_Preparation_-_Frying_the_cheese_312.JPG|thumb|Frying the cheese]]Put cheese into the oil until golden brown.
 * 8) [[Image:13b_Fried_Kasseri_Cheese_908.jpg|thumb|Fried Kasseri Cheese]]Turn the cheese over and cook until that side is also golden brown.
 * 9) [[Image:02_Dinner_is_served_809.JPG|thumb|Dinner is served]]Put cheese in the skillet and serve as is, along with the cucumber sauce and baguette bread.
 * 10) [[Image:04_Cheese_and_Sauce_on_Baguette_bread_930.JPG|thumb|Cheese and Sauce on Baguette bread]]Use a fork to cut a piece of the cheese (while cheese is still in the skillet), put the cheese from the fork onto a slice of bread, and put sauce on the bread also. Enjoy!

Tips

 * Serving the cheese in a hot skillet helps keep the cheese hot. You’ll need something on the table to set the skillet on so that it doesn’t burn or scorch the table.
 * The cheese should be between 3/4" and 1" thick.
 * Don't be afraid to try this with other cheeses as well. Cheddar cheese and pepper jack cheese are also good when prepared in this manner.
 * In the absence of a small-screened sieve, 2 or 3 paper towels folded can be used to separate the cucumber juice from the pulp.
 * Substitute the sour cream with yogurt for a more authentic tsatsiki sauce.
 * For an extra touch, pour a small amount of brandy (1/4 cup will do) over the fried cheese. Light it on fire and then squeeze a lemon over it.  Don't forget to yell "OPA!"
 * You can also use flatbread for a more authentic dish. (Sun-dried Tomato flatbread is delicious!)

Things You'll Need

 * Blender
 * Medium to large frying pan
 * Skillet with shallow sides
 * Dessert dishes
 * Small-screened sieve
 * Something to set on the table top to set the hot skillet on to prevent burning or scorching the table, such as an upside down pizza pan.

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