Flaming Cheese

Make your own Saganaki, that wonderful flaming cheese, at home. We especially like to do this in the summer as an appetizer to the Kebapcheta that I wrote about earlier.It's a fun way to impress your kids or grand kids...just make sure that they stand back....OPA!!


1 cup flour
1 tsp dried oregano
2 slices kasseri cheese, about 4 inches in diameter and cut 1/2 inch thick
2 Tbl olive oil
3 Tbl butter
1 egg
1/4 cup milk
1 lemon, halved
3 ounces inexpensive brandy

Mix the flour and oregano in a shallow bowl and set aside.
Beat the eggs and milk in a shallow bowl.
Wet the pieces of cheese with water and coat each with the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, and then back into the flour.
In a heavy saute pan or cast iron skillet, melt the butter and olive oil until the butter starts to foam.
Place the cheese into the pan and fry on both sides until golden and the cheese starts to soften.
Quickly take the pan outside, pour in the brandy and ignite, yelling OPA!
Let flame for effect for a few seconds and then squeeze a lemon half over to douse the flame( the second half is "just in case").
Serve immediately spread on country bread.