Crispy Czech Cheese Delight

Ingredients

• 4 slices of Edam or Gouda cheese (1 cm thick) 4 slices of Edam or Gouda cheese (1 cm thick)
• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs, beaten 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup (100g) breadcrumbs 1 cup (100g) breadcrumbs
• Vegetable oil, for frying Vegetable oil, for frying
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• For the tartar sauce: For the tartar sauce:
• 1/2 cup (120g) mayonnaise 1/2 cup (120g) mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons pickles, finely chopped 2 tablespoons pickles, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon capers, drained and chopped 1 tablespoon capers, drained and chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 400 kcal / 1674 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 12g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 30g, 2g
• Protein: 15g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a shallow dish, season the flour with salt and pepper. Place the beaten eggs in another dish, and the breadcrumbs in a third dish.
2. 2.
   Dip each slice of cheese into the flour, coating it evenly. Shake off any excess flour.
3. 3.
   Next, dip the cheese into the beaten eggs, ensuring it is fully coated.
4. 4.
   Finally, coat the cheese in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere the crumbs to the cheese.
5. 5.
   Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the breaded cheese slices for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.
6. 6.
   Remove the fried cheese from the pan and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
7. 7.
8. 8.
   For the tartar sauce:
9. 9.
   In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, pickles, capers, parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
10. 10.
    Serve the fried cheese hot with a side of tartar sauce.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cheese — Make sure the cheese slices are thick enough to hold their shape during frying. If the slices are too thin, they may melt too quickly and lose their structure.
• Breadcrumbs — For extra flavor, you can mix in some grated Parmesan cheese or dried herbs into the breadcrumbs before coating the cheese.

Tips & Tricks

• To achieve a crispier crust, you can double coat the cheese by repeating the dipping process in flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs.
• Serve the fried cheese immediately after cooking to enjoy it at its best, while the cheese is still warm and gooey.
• Experiment with different types of cheese to find your favorite variation of Smažený sýr.

Serving advice

Serve the Smažený sýr hot as a main course with a side of tartar sauce and a fresh salad. It can also be enjoyed as a delicious snack or appetizer.

Presentation advice

Arrange the golden fried cheese slices on a plate, garnish with a sprig of fresh parsley, and serve the tartar sauce in a small bowl on the side for dipping.