Spiedini Recipe
A Love Affair with Spiedini: The Ultimate Italian Appetizer
Pronounced:(spah-dee'-nee)
One bite of Spiedini, and you might just find yourself falling in love with this incredible Italian appetizer, just like I did years ago. Let me take you on a journey through my culinary memories and share the magic of Spiedini with you.
A Family Tradition
Growing up, special occasions in my family meant one thing: ordering pizza from our favorite family-run Italian restaurant. The chewy, cheesy goodness was a delight for my taste buds, and I always hoped my Italian grandparents would be as impressed as I was. Little did I know, this restaurant would become even more significant in my life over the years.
The Birth of a Culinary Love
As a teenager, my brother worked at this beloved restaurant and often practiced their recipes at home. One dish that stood out was Spiedini – a dish so indulgent and delicious, it felt like a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich gone crazy.
What is Spiedini?
For those unfamiliar with Spiedini, imagine this: a triple layer of mozzarella cheese sandwiched between three layers of crustless bread, battered, and deep-fried to golden perfection. But it doesn’t stop there! The pièce de résistance is the lemon-butter sauce drizzled over the top, garnished with capers – those delightful little green gems that add a burst of tangy flavor.
A Double Love Affair
When my husband and I were dating, this restaurant became our go-to spot for special occasions. Every visit was a celebration of our love and our shared passion for exquisite food. It was a double love affair – with each other and with Spiedini.
Today, as a seasoned Italian cook with millions of followers, I still treasure those memories and the incredible flavors that defined my culinary journey. And now, I’m thrilled to share the Spiedini recipe with you, so you can create your own delicious memories.
Try the Recipe Yourself!
Ready to experience the life-changing magic of Spiedini? Here is the full recipe. Transform your next meal into a gourmet Italian feast.
Ingredients List:
This recipe makes 4 large servings
12 slices of white bread (crusts cut off)
4 whole eggs
1-2 Tbs garlic paste
1/4 Cup parmesan cheese
8 slices of mozzarella cheese
1/2 stick of butter
1 Fresh lemon
1 jar of capers
Natural wood toothpicks (20-30 approx)
Oil for frying (peanut is best, vegetable or canola - Not olive oil!)
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Spiedini Instructions:
Prepare the Sandwich Layers:
Take three slices of crustless bread and two slices of mozzarella per sandwich.
Layer as follows: bread, cheese, bread, cheese, bread.
Ensure the cheese is fully tucked inside to prevent it from leaking out during frying.
Secure the Sandwich:
Insert 5 or 6 natural wood toothpicks into the sandwich to hold it together while frying.
Heat the Oil:
In a skillet, heat oil to medium-high (or deep-fryer to 365°F), ensuring there's a minimum of 1 inch of oil.
Prepare the Batter:
In a medium bowl, beat the eggs.
Stir in minced garlic and grated parmesan cheese. Beat the eggs, & stir in the garlic & parmesan cheese in a medium bowl.
Coat the Sandwich:
Dip the prepared sandwich into the batter, covering all sides thoroughly.
Fry the Sandwich:
Skillet Method: Sear the sandwich on each side until golden brown, ensuring all sides are sealed and the center is cooked through.
Deep-Fryer Method: Deep-fry the sandwich until crispy and golden brown for the best results.
Drain Excess Oil:
Remove the fried Spiedini from the oil and place it on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
Finish and Serve:
Remove the toothpicks carefully.
Place the Spiedini on an appetizer plate.
Drizzle with lemon-butter sauce (recipe below) and garnish with rinsed capers to lessen their saltiness.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Classic Lemon-Butter Sauce
Ah, the classic lemon butter sauce! This elegant, yet simple sauce can elevate a wide range of dishes, from seafood to chicken, and even vegetables. Let me walk you through the steps to create this delightful sauce.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup unsalted butter: Always use unsalted butter so you can control the saltiness of your sauce.
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice: Fresh is key here. Bottled lemon juice won't have the same vibrant flavor.
1 teaspoon lemon zest: This adds a bit of brightness and enhances the lemon flavor.
Salt, to taste: Balance is crucial.
Optional: Capers can add a beautiful color and additional layer of flavor to your spiedini. Add capers last as a garnish just before serving.
Instructions:
Prepare Your Ingredients: Start by gathering all your ingredients. Zest the lemon before squeezing it for juice. This mise en place (a French term for having all your ingredients prepped and ready) is crucial for smooth cooking.
Melt the Butter: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. You don't want to brown the butter for this sauce, so keep the heat moderate.
Incorporate the Lemon: Pour in the freshly squeezed lemon juice and add the lemon zest. Stir well to combine. Let the mixture simmer for a minute or two. This will allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
Season to Taste: Season with salt. Taste your sauce and adjust as needed. Remember, the sauce should have a balanced flavor – not too tart and not too salty.
Serve Immediately: Lemon butter sauce is best served fresh and warm. It pairs wonderfully with grilled or baked fish, sautéed shrimp, steamed vegetables, or even drizzled over chicken.
Tips for Success:
Keep it Warm: If you're not serving the sauce immediately, keep it warm over very low heat. Stir occasionally to keep the butter from separating.
Adjust Thickness: If you find your sauce too thick, you can thin it out with a splash of white wine or a bit more lemon juice. Conversely, if it's too thin, let it simmer a bit longer to reduce and thicken.
Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to experiment by adding a splash of white wine, a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat, or even a hint of Dijon mustard for an extra layer of complexity.
Creating a lemon butter sauce is a simple yet elegant way to enhance the flavors of your dishes. With just a few ingredients and a bit of technique, you'll have a versatile sauce that can transform your meal into a culinary delight. Happy cooking!
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Spiedini: A Culinary Masterpiece
In the realm of comfort food, few dishes achieve the perfect balance of simplicity and sophistication like the spiedini. This grilled mozzarella cheese sandwich, accompanied by a luscious lemon butter sauce, is nothing short of a culinary revelation.
From the moment it arrives at the table, the spiedini commands attention. The golden-brown crust of the bread, deep fried to perfection, hints at the wonders that lie within. As you take that first, eagerly anticipated bite, the exterior crunch gives way to a molten core of creamy mozzarella, which stretches luxuriously with each mouthful, showcasing its impeccable melt.
The cheese, rich and smooth, serves as the heart of this dish, but it's the lemon butter sauce that elevates the spiedini to extraordinary heights. The sauce, a sublime blend of tangy lemon and velvety butter, introduces a bright, refreshing counterpoint to the rich, oozy mozzarella. It’s a dance of flavors—where the acidity of the lemon cuts through the richness of the cheese, creating a harmonious balance that leaves your palate craving more.
Each component of the spiedini is thoughtfully crafted. The bread, likely a rustic Italian loaf, has the perfect density to hold the gooey cheese without becoming soggy. It’s brushed with a hint of garlic adding an aromatic depth that complements the star ingredients.
Drizzling the battered sandwich with the lemon butter sauce is an experience unto itself. The sauce clings to the bread, imparting its citrusy essence with each bite. This interaction transforms the sandwich into something both familiar and entirely new, a testament to the power of quality ingredients and careful preparation.
The spiedini is more than just a grilled cheese sandwich; it’s an exploration of textures and flavors. The contrast between the crispy bread and the soft, stretchy mozzarella is pure comfort, while the unexpected brightness of the lemon butter sauce adds a gourmet twist. This dish, simple in its concept but exceptional in its execution, invites you to savor each bite, appreciating the artistry behind its creation.
In a world where culinary innovation often means pushing boundaries, the spiedini reminds us that true greatness can also be found in perfecting the classics. It’s a dish that exudes warmth and familiarity, yet surprises with its nuanced flavors. Whether enjoyed as a luxurious lunch or a decadent snack, the spiedini with lemon butter sauce is a triumph of culinary craftsmanship, deserving of every bit of praise it receives.
So, the next time you find yourself in search of a dish that embodies both comfort and sophistication, look no further than the spiedini. It’s a testament to the magic that happens when simple ingredients are treated with the utmost care and creativity. A true delight for the senses, this grilled mozzarella cheese sandwich with lemon butter sauce is a dish you won’t soon forget.
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