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Saganaki — traditional dish from Athens, Greece
Starter Vegetarian

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥350kcal
💪19gProtein
🌾5gCarbs
🥑29gFat
🌿—Fibre
⚖️100 gServing

* Per serving · 100 g. May vary.

Allergens

🥛 Dairy

Saganaki

How to order / say it
Say it Σαγανάκι — [sah-gah-NAH-kee]
Order I'd like the saganaki, please.
Locally Θα ήθελα το σαγανάκι, παρακαλώ.
Say locally

A renowned Greek appetizer where cheese is fried until golden and crisp.

Why try it?

Saganaki offers a taste of Greek hospitality and comfort food, typically served as a mezedes to be shared in convivial gatherings. It symbolizes simplicity and the celebration of authentic flavors with minimal ingredients.

How it tastes

This dish boasts a crunchy exterior with a gooey, savory center. It's usually made with firm Greek cheese like graviera or kefalotyri, offering a salty, tangy taste with crisp wiring.

Origin & History — first documented: 1960

The name 'saganaki' originates from the small two-handled pan it's cooked in. Although its exact origins are unknown, it gained popularity in post-war Greece, mirroring the rise of meze culture in the 1960s.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🥛 200 g Greek cheese (graviera)
  • 🍋 1 whole lemon
  • 🌾 50 g flour
  • 🫒 30 ml olive oil

Method

  1. 1 Dredge cheese slice in flour, shaking off excess.
  2. 2 Heat olive oil in frying pan over medium heat.
  3. 3 Fry cheese until golden and crisp on both sides.
  4. 4 Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
All Europe recipes — Greece — Athens — Saganaki
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