How to Prepare Flaming Greek Cheese

Kasseri cheese, the main ingredient in the dramatic appetizer called flaming Greek cheese, is a hard cheese similar in texture to Parmesan. It can be found in most supermarket deli sections. The preparation involves lighting the dish using brandy near the finish so it's best to have children and guests seated before completing the final preparation. Serve this dish as an appetizer with warm pita bread.

Things You'll Need

• I lb. Kasseri cheese
• 12-inch or larger cast-iron skillet
• 1/2 fresh lemon
• 2 oz. brandy
• Pita bread
• Potholder
• 3 tbsp. butter
• Pinch dry Greek oregano
• Spatula
• 1 long match

Instructions

Preparation

1. Cut the Kasseri cheese into 1/4-inch-thick rectangles about half the size of a playing card. Set them aside.

2. Preheat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat

3. Cut the lemon in half. Measure the brandy into a shot glass. Place the whole round pita breads on the table. Set a towel or small potholder on the table to hold the hot dish.

Assemble and Serve

1. Melt the butter in the hot skillet and add the cheese rectangles. Top them with the oregano.

2. Cook the cheese until it starts to melt, but remains somewhat firm, about 2 to 3 minutes.

3. Remove the skillet from the heat and pour the brandy into it.

4. Light the match, ignite the brandy, then carry the flaming dish to the table.

5. Squeeze the fresh lemon over the flaming cheese to douse the flame.

6. Instruct guests to tear off chunks of the pita bread and dip them into the hot cheese directly out of the skillet.

Tips & Warnings

• The key to this simple but entertaining dish is making sure you're well organized in advance. Since the dish requires quick preparation, measure and cut your ingredients ahead of time. Temperatures may very, so keep a close watch on the cheese. You want the cheese to keep its rectangular form and not be completely melted when you remove the skillet from the heat. Regular dried oregano may be substituted for Greek oregano.

• Since the dish involves fire, make sure no children are near the cooking surface when preparing this dish. Also make sure the match you use to ignite the dish is long so you can avoid burning yourself. When ignited, the flame will flare up so make sure you have plenty of room and clearance. Also, the pan will be hot and the cheese will be molten when carried to the table.

References

• Epicurious Food Dictionary: Kasseri Cheese
• Greek Recipes.com: Greek Cheeses

Resources

• Greek Products.com: About the Greek Cheeses