Fried Manchego Cheese

1 wedge (about 1/2 pound) manchego cheese

½ cup all-purpose flour

1 cup breadcrumbs

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon water

2 teaspoons paprika

2 teaspoons dried oregano

¼ teaspoon black pepper

½ cup oil for frying

For serving: fig jam, olives, baguette

Cut off the hard rind and slice the cheese into about 12 thin triangles (a little less than ¼ inch).

Get 3 bowls. Put flour in one. In the second one, beat the eggs with 1 tablespoon of water. In the last bowl, mix breadcrumbs with paprika, oregano and black pepper.
Coat each manchego slice in flour, then dip into the egg mixture, coat in breadcrumbs, and again dip into the egg mixture and coat in breadcrumbs. Make sure the whole cheese is coated well. If not, it will ooze out during frying. Place them onto a tray and put in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.

Heat the oil and fry them until golden brown, about 30 seconds-1 minute per side. Hotter oil will cook them faster. Transfer from the pan to a paper-towel lined plate to cool slightly.

Serve warm with fig jam, olive, and baguette slices!

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Yield: 4 servings