Over the last few years, saganaki cheese has become more and more popular on social media. So what is saganaki cheese? What type of cheese it is?
In this post, I’ll introduce the ingredients of Saganaki and how to serve with Saganaki. Keep reading to find more information about it.
What is Saganaki?
A cheese slice is the main ingredient in the Greek dish Saganaki, which is typically served in a small skillet or frying pan. Interestingly, the name Saganaki derives from the Greek word sagani and has nothing to do with cheese.
Indeed, sagani means “frying pan with two handles”. Saganaki is traditionally prepared and served in this pan, as seen in the image above. Furthermore, Greeks frequently serve saganaki with a lemon slice, some rocket (arugula) leaves, and something sweet like figs or honey.
What is Saganaki Cheese Made From?
Typically, feta cheese made from sheep’s milk, halloumi, kasseri, kefalotyri, graviera, or kefalograviera is used in saganaki. Use of formaela cheese in Arachova, halloumi in Cyprus, and vlahotiri in Metsovo are just a few examples of regional variations.
What Cheeses Are Used to Make Saganaki?
So, now that we’ve established that saganaki is a dish rather than a type of cheese, let’s discuss the varieties of cheeses that can be used in the recipe. Naturally, many Greek cheeses work particularly well in this dish.
They all have the ability to maintain their texture at high temperatures as their defining characteristic. They are also typically made with a blend of goat and sheep milk, and their flavor is quite savory.
As a result, cheeses like Graviera, Kefalograviera, Kasseri, or Kefalotyri are great for grilling with Saganaki. Other less popular Saganaki cheeses used in Greece include Formaela Arachovas Parnassou, Vlahotiri, and Batzos.
What Do You Eat Saganaki With?
Only a little lemon and saganaki are included in the serving. Cut it into bite-sized pieces, set it on the table, and serve. In contrast to how it is typically eaten, I think a simple tomato salad or romaine salad is nice to pair with it because it helps to balance out the cheese’s overall richness.
Is Halloumi and Saganaki the Same?
Saganaki and halloumi are two different nouns; saganaki is any of a number of Greek dishes cooked in a small frying pan, particularly an appetizer of pan-seared cheese, whereas halloumi is a traditional cheese from Cyprus made from goat’s and/or sheep’s milk.
Bottom Line
Saganaki can be a dish rather than cheese in Greek. It is typically made with a mixture of goat and sheep milk and is quite savory in flavor.
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