Provoleta

Photo: flickr user Victor Verges

Ingredients

1 pound aged provolone cheese see * Note

cup flour

1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano

(or 1 tspn dried oregano)

2 teaspoons aji molido see * Note

(or 1/2 tspn chile powder)

2 teaspoons olive oil

Freshly-ground white pepper to taste

Preparation

* Note: Aged provolone and aji molido (Argentine coarsely ground chile powder) are available at specialty markets and some supermarkets.

Dredge the cheese in flour, dusting off excess. Mix the remaining ingredients into a paste and smear half of it over the top of the cheese.

Place cheese spice-side up over hot coals and grill until the cheese begins to melt but still holds its shape and the underside is scored, about 3 minutes. Flip and brush the second side of the cheese with remaining spice mixture. Grill until second side is scored.

Cut into wedges and serve immediately. Provoleta may also be prepared on an indoor grill or in a ridged skillet.

This recipe yields 8 to 10 servings.