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Fried Manchego Cheese with Lavender Honey

Stack of golden brown Fried Manchego Cheese rounds drizzled with honey, one piece broken open showing the soft white cheese.
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Make crispy fried Manchego cheese served with a simple, floral lavender-infused honey sauce. This recipe creates a sweet and salty appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz Manchego cheese, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup vegetable oil, for frying
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender buds

Instructions

  1. Prepare the lavender honey: Combine the honey and lavender buds in a small saucepan. Heat over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not boil. Remove from heat and let the lavender steep for 30 minutes. Strain the honey through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the buds and set aside.
  2. Set up a standard breading station: Place the flour on one plate, the beaten eggs on a second plate, and the panko breadcrumbs mixed with salt and pepper on a third plate.
  3. Dredge each slice of Manchego cheese first in the flour, shaking off excess.
  4. Dip the floured cheese into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off.
  5. Coat the cheese thoroughly in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently so the crumbs adhere well. Place the breaded cheese on a clean plate.
  6. Heat the vegetable oil in a deep skillet or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until it reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
  7. Carefully place 2-3 slices of cheese into the hot oil, ensuring you do not overcrowd the pan.
  8. Fry for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until the coating is golden brown and crisp. The cheese inside should be soft but not fully melted out.
  9. Remove the fried cheese with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
  10. Serve the warm fried Manchego immediately with the prepared lavender honey for dipping.

Notes

  • Use a thermometer to monitor the oil temperature for best results.
  • If you do not have culinary lavender, you can substitute with a small amount of fresh rosemary for an herbal note, though the flavor profile will change.
  • You can prepare the breaded cheese up to 2 hours ahead of time; keep it refrigerated until ready to fry.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://savorsensations.com/fried-manchego-cheese-with-lavender-honey/