What the heck is saganaki? I did some research, and it is actually a frying pan with two handles. Usually what is cooked in the “saganaki” or two-handled frying pan is not strict Paleo. Luckily we are not the Paleo police, (although I wouldn't be against the idea of getting an outfit for Raj, he looks so good in royal blue… haha). It is a Greek dish consisting of breaded and deep-fried cheese. The type of cheese varies regionally, and occasionally it is a feta based shrimp or muscle dish (that includes a spicy tomato sauce). We used an aged sheep cheese that came in a package labeled “Saganaki” that I discovered while buying ingredients for moussaka.
It is one of my favorite things to eat when I go out for Greek food because, hello: deep fried cheese? Yum. Sadly no matter how many ideas we tossed around, we couldn't come up with a non-dairy replacement. If you can't tolerate cheese, goat, sheep or otherwise, this is not the dish for you. There is a product on the market called “Daiya” a non-dairy, no soy “cheese” but read the ingredients first to see if you can eat it. I did not try the product in this recipe, but if you do, I would love to see photos; or hear about it in the comments below. If you can come up with a non-dairy version, I would also love to hear about it, please comment below, plus you are a genius. Without any further delay: Lacto-Paleo saganaki. It's not dairy free, but we can help with the grain free! We didn't yell “Opa” and light the cheese on fire (I had already set off the fire alarm that day). A little brandy and a BBQ lighter should do the trick; make sure you have a fire extinguisher handy and nearby!
See all of our Paleo Greek Weeks recipes here.
Lacto-Paleo Saganaki
Description
Grain free, battered and deep fried cheese. Lacto-Paleo Saganaki
Ingredients
- One block sheep feta
- 1 capful brandy (1/2 oz)
- 1 lemon cut into wedges
- 2 tbsp oil (coconut or ghee)
Batter:
- (Halved version from Bacon wrapped Onion rings)
- 1/2 cup tapioca flour
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/8 tsp cayenne
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Combine dry ingredients, and mix.
- Beat egg in a separate dish.
- Dredge cheese thru egg wash and then coat with dry mixture.
- Melt oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Gently ease coated cheese into the oil pan frying for 5-8 min, then flip and fry the other side.
- Splash the brandy over the cheese and light aflame.
- Shout OPA! if you so desire.
- Extinguish the flame by squeezing lemon wedges over top.
- Check your eyebrows, still there? Good! Phew…
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Greek
I think bright red or pink is more my style.