Greek Salad with Popcorn Cheese

Easy, Moderate, Complex

Yields : 4 servings
Note : You can replace the kefalotyri cheese with a sharp cheddar cheese.

* If you don’t have a deep fryer, heat 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of oil in a pan at medium-high heat.  Carefully place cheese in pan and lightly fry on both sides until golden, about 1 minute.
*Cheese must be served immediately or it will harden again within a couple minutes.

Ingredients

• 2 large tomatoes, cubed
• 2 Lebanese cucumbers, cubed
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup of Kalamata olives, pitted and halved (250 ml)
• 1 ripe avocado, cubed
• ½ cup of fresh dill, finely chopped (125 ml)
• ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil (60 ml)
• 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar (5 ml)
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 cup of Kefalotyri cheese, cubed (250 ml)

Method

1. Heat the oil in a deep fryer to 375˚F (190˚ C).
2. Mix all the vegetables in a large bowl with the dill, olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice.
3. Deep fry the cheese at 375 ˚F (190 ˚C)* for 2 minutes approximately. 
4. Toss salad and garnish with fried cheese on top.