Mediterranean Salad with Crispy Paneer Cheese

Disclosure:  I received products to facilitate this post. All opinions are honest and are my own. By posting this recipe I am entering a sponsored recipe contest and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. 

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Summer and salads just go together! It doesn't get much better than fresh lettuce and tomatoes from the garden. Try something new with this delicious Mediterranean Salad with Crispy Paneer Cheese. 

To give your salad a Mediterranean twist, add marinated artichoke hearts and olives (black or Kalamata). For even more flavor, add some diced red onions.  

What makes this salad so special is the fried Gopi Paneer cheese.

Mild flavored and firm, Gopi Paneer cheese is perfect for frying and tossing on a salad. Simply cube the cheese, then dredge in flour, then the buttermilk-egg mixture, then seasoned panko bread crumbs and fry in a hot skillet coated with olive oil. 

Turn the cheese to evenly brown in the skillet. It will only take about 5 minutes to achieve a nice golden brown color. 

You can refrigerate leftovers and reheat the cheese in an air fryer for 2-3 minutes to warm and crisp it before serving.  

Liven up your summer menu with this yummy protein packed Mediterranean salad with crispy Gopi Paneer cheese!

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Mediterranean Salad with Crispy Gopi Paneer Cheese

Serves 4

6-8 oz. lettuce, like romaine, butter crunch, or mixed greens
12 oz. jar marinated artichoke hearts
1 can 2.5-6oz. pitted black olives, depending on how much you like olives
1-2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes
1/4-1/2 cup red onion, diced (optional)
8 oz. Gopi Paneer cheese
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup buttermilk or 1/2 T. Lemon juice plus enough milk to fill the measuring cup to 1/2 cup
1 egg
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs (Italian or plain)
Olive oil
3/4 tsp. Mediterranean seasoning* or Italian seasoning plus more for topping
Flavored olive oil (like lemon or orange infused), optional for flavor
Balsamic vinegar, Maple vinegar or other flavored vinegar, optional for flavor
Fresh ground salt and pepper

1. Prepare lettuce and plate on a large plate or small platter.
2. Cube Paneer cheese.
3. Place flour in a small bowl.
4. Whisk egg and buttermilk to combine.
5. Place panko crumbs in another small bowl. Add mediterranean seasoning to the panko crumbs. Salt to taste. 
6. Coat the cheese cubes in flour first, then buttermilk, then panko crumbs. 
7. Heat the oil over medium high heat until sizzling.
8. When oil is hot, add the breaded cheese cubes. The cheese will cook quickly. Turn to brown on all sides, then remove from skillet. 
9. Layer the artichokes, olives, tomatoes, onion, and then cheese on the salad. 
10. Dress with flavored olive oil and vinegar or your favorite dressing.
11. Top with fresh ground salt and pepper and more Mediterranean seasoning to taste.

*I really like using Andrew Zimmern Mediterranean Magic seasoning which has dried mint, spices, red bell peppers, kosher salt, orange peel, shallots, canola oil and orange oil. 

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