I loved how the rich fried cheese was balanced by a healthy, locally sourced side salad. When I cut through the breaded crust, the cheese inside was still hot--yum! My fries were crispy, and the homemade sauces reminded me of condiments we have back in the United States. Topping the meal off with homemade lemonade was a great choice; it was super refreshing after a heavy meal.
Czech fried cheese is made by coating chunks of hard cheese, such as Gouda, with a mixture of breadcrumbs, eggs, flour and milk. The cheese is then fried in hot oil until the outside breading is crispy and all of the cheese inside has melted. The dish is served hot, usually accompanied by a traditional side dish. It is possible to make this dish at home, but be very careful with the hot oil!
Fried cheeses became popular in Czechoslovakia (now the region is divided into the Czech Republic and Slovakia) after World War II. Severe meat shortages meant people needed to find other high-calorie meals that were inexpensive and easy to make. Fried cheese became a popular meal for average Czech families looking for an accessible way to feed everyone. The specific type of cheese I tried, Olomoucké tvarůžky, is made in the Czech Republic. Now, you can find fried cheese dishes anywhere, from high-end restaurants to local pubs!
Most side dishes eaten with fried cheese are made from locally grown crops. The Czech Republic is a large exporter of potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beet (whose roots can be used to produce sugar) and hops. The region also produces a lot of seed oils used for cooking.
