Saganaki / Flaming Cheese

 OPA!   Make some homemade pita bread to you with this yummy dish.   This can be made without the flames, but where's the fun in that?   Easy and very quick to make.  

SAGANAKI / FLAMING CHEESE

Ingredients:

*1 (4 ounce) package Kasseri Cheese (greek cheese)

*warm water tot

*1/4 cup all purpose flour

*2 tablespoon olive oil (can use vegetable oil)

*2 tablespoons bourbon, cognac, or brandy (optional)

*1/2 lemon to use for juice

*Pita bread cut into wedges or thick toasted bread cut into bite size pieces.  

Directions:

~Preheat a cast iron pan over medium-high heat.

~In a small bowl, add 1/4 cup flour.

~Put warm water into a small bowl, or just run it under warm tap water.

~Dip 4 ounce cheese into water getting both sides of cheese wet or put it under running water to get wet.

~Dredge cheese into flour, shaking off an excess.

~Place on a small plate.

~Once pan is hot drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil in it.

~Carefully place floured cheese into the hot oil.

~Fry until golden brown and cheese begins to ooze, around 2 minutes.

~Carefully flip cheese over and fry until that side is a golden brown, around 1-2 minutes.  

~Remove skillet from heat and place on a plate (I normally transfer it to another skillet just because I worry about the flames using a plate).

~Pour 2 tablespoons Brandy, Cognac, or Bourdon over cheeese.

~Light alcohol using a lighter and yell "Opa".

~Squeeze juice from 1/2 lemon to put the fire out.

~Spread hot cheese over bread or pita.