Herb and Cheese Fritters

Ooh, these are yummy! You know what every salad is missing? Fried cheese. You know what you need as a quick appetizer before a much more reasonable dinner of soup and salad? Fried cheese fritters. These fried cheese fritters to be exact. Simple and quick to make, no deep frying, 5 ingredients. The flavors in the fritters and the side salad are infinitely flexible to what you have on hand or is in season, so don’t feel like you have to stick to the recipe. Just fry up some cheese and enjoy it!

Herb and Cheese Fritters
with Fresh Herb Salad

From The Food & Cooking of Hungary by Silvena Johan Lauta

Makes 15-18 Fritters (1/3 recipe pictured)

 3 egg whites
12 oz feta cheese, finely crumbled or grated
8 oregano sprigs, leaves finely chopped (or herb of your choice - fresh or dried)
4 Tbsp breadcrumbs
1 Tbsp lightly toasted nuts, finely chopped (hazelnuts or walnuts)
3 Tbsp olive oil
½ Tbsp butter

 For the salad
Lettuce, lightly chopped
½ cup of mixed herbs (basil, mint, tarragon, parsley, chives)
1 Tbsp olive oil
juice of 1 lemon
2 Tbsp toasted nuts, roughly chopped (optional)

 If in season: Sliced tomatoes and sliced cucumbers topped with 1 Tbsp white wine vinegar, 1 Tbsp olive oil, and a pinch of salt.

 1. Put the egg whites in a clean bowl and whisk until they form stiff peaks. Immediately add the crumbled or grated cheese and fold in to carefully combine with the egg whites. Add the chopped herbs and mix gently in.
2. Put breadcrumbs and chopped nuts on a plate and mix to combine.
3. Shape the egg/cheese mixture into small balls. Roll each of these balls in the breadcrumb mixture, using your hands. If they begin to fall apart, use some of the breadcrumb mixture to pat into the balls as you roll them to form a more cohesive shape.
4. Heat the oil and butter in a non-stick pan and, when hot, add the cheese balls and sauté on all sides for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown.
5. To make the salad, mix the lettuce and herbs in a large bowl, drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, season with salt to taste. Add the nuts (if using) and serve with the cheese fritters.