Frederic Melton
Halloumi cheese is a popular dish at Nando's, a restaurant that offers a variety of dishes, including chicken, peri-peri chips, garlic bread, and halloumi sticks. While the exact method of preparing halloumi cheese at Nando's may vary, some sources suggest that it involves grilling the cheese with a dash of oil on a flat grill. Others speculate that it might be steamed first or cooked in the oven before grilling. Replicating the exact taste and texture of Nando's halloumi cheese at home has proven challenging for some, even with attempts to BBQ or air fry the cheese. Achieving the right balance between a golden brown, crispy exterior and a soft, floppy interior is an art that many home cooks are eager to master.
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What You'll Learn
Halloumi cheese preparation
Halloumi cheese is a popular dish at Nando's, and while it may seem like a simple dish to prepare, there are a few key steps to follow to ensure it turns out perfectly. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare halloumi cheese, Nando's style.
Firstly, start by preparing the halloumi cheese itself. For this, you will need around 250 grams of halloumi cheese, which should be cut into sticks or slices. It is important to note that halloumi should not be cut too thin, as it can become rubbery if overcooked. The cheese can be patted dry to remove any excess moisture, which will help achieve a crispier texture when grilled.
Next, prepare the grill. Nando's typically uses a flat-top grill with a dash of oil. A little oil helps to prevent the cheese from sticking and adds a bit of flavour. It is essential not to use too much oil, as it can make the halloumi greasy. Once the grill is hot, place the halloumi sticks or slices on it and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side. Keep an eye on the cheese, as it can go from golden brown to burnt quite quickly.
While the cheese is grilling, you can prepare the chilli jam, a popular dipping sauce for halloumi at Nando's. To make the chilli jam, combine 200 grams of finely chopped tomatoes, one deseeded and finely chopped red chilli, 100 grams of sugar, and 50 millilitres of apple cider vinegar in a saucepan. Simmer this mixture until it thickens, and then set it aside to cool before serving.
Once the halloumi is grilled to perfection, remove it from the grill and serve it immediately with the chilli jam on the side for dipping. This dish can be served as an appetiser or a side, and it is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, especially for cheese lovers. Enjoy the delicious combination of crispy, grilled halloumi and spicy-sweet chilli jam!
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Cooking method
Nando's halloumi is cooked on a flat grill with a dash of olive oil. The cheese is cut into sticks and grilled for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. It is important not to overcook the halloumi, as it can become rubbery if left on the heat for too long.
To recreate the Nando's experience at home, one can follow a similar method. First, the halloumi should be cut into sticks and patted dry to remove excess moisture. Next, heat a grill pan over medium-high heat and add a couple of tablespoons of olive oil. Place the halloumi sticks on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.
In addition to the grilling method, some sources suggest that Nando's may also steam their halloumi before grilling it. This could be a reason why the texture and taste differ from grilled halloumi prepared at home.
To enhance the flavour of the halloumi, it is often served with a chilli jam for dipping. The chilli jam can be made by combining finely chopped tomatoes, a deseeded and finely chopped red chilli, sugar, and apple cider vinegar in a saucepan. This mixture is then simmered until thickened and left to cool before serving.
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Oil type and quantity
To cook halloumi cheese, the type of oil and the quantity used are important factors. At Nando's, their halloumi cheese is cooked on a flat grill with a dash of oil. While the specific type of oil used by Nando's is not publicly known, olive oil is a popular choice for grilling halloumi, as mentioned in several online recipes.
When grilling halloumi, it is essential to use an oil with a high smoke point, such as olive oil, avocado oil, or peanut oil. This is because halloumi needs to be grilled at a relatively high temperature to achieve the desired golden brown colour and crispy texture. Oils with lower smoke points, such as butter or certain types of vegetable oils, may burn and produce undesirable flavours.
The quantity of oil used can vary depending on personal preference and the specific cooking method. For grilling, a light coating or a few dashes of oil on the grill surface or directly on the halloumi sticks are usually sufficient. It is important not to use too much oil, as it can cause the halloumi to become greasy and affect its crispy texture.
When preparing halloumi sticks, recipes often recommend using 2 tablespoons of olive oil for 250 grams of halloumi cheese. This amount of oil helps to coat the halloumi sticks evenly and provides a good balance of flavour and texture. However, the exact quantity of oil can be adjusted to suit individual tastes and preferences.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the quality of the oil also plays a role in the overall flavour and aroma of the grilled halloumi. Extra virgin olive oil, for example, has a more robust flavour and aroma compared to refined olive oils. Choosing an oil that complements the other ingredients and the halloumi itself can enhance the dining experience.
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Cooking time
The cooking time for Nando's halloumi sticks varies depending on the method used. Some people suggest grilling the halloumi, while others recommend pan-frying it. Here is a detailed breakdown of the cooking times for each method:
Grilling
If you are using a grill, it is recommended to grill the halloumi sticks for 2-3 minutes on each side. This will result in golden brown and crispy halloumi sticks. It is important not to overcook the halloumi as it can become rubbery.
Pan-frying
For pan-frying, cut the halloumi into sticks and cook them in a pan until they are crispy. The exact cooking time is not specified, but it is recommended to keep an eye on the halloumi to avoid overcooking.
Air-frying
Another option is to use an air fryer. One person shared their experience of air-frying frozen chips and then adding halloumi sticks to the air fryer. Unfortunately, the exact cooking time for the halloumi sticks is not mentioned.
Combination of Oven and Grill
One person suggests a combination of oven and grill cooking. They recommend wrapping the halloumi in foil and baking it in the oven for 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes. Then, they suggest uncovering it and placing it under the grill for about a minute to make the halloumi skin crispy.
It is worth noting that the cooking time may vary depending on the desired level of doneness and the specific oven, grill, or fryer settings. It is always a good idea to keep an eye on the halloumi during the cooking process to avoid overcooking or burning.
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Serving suggestions
Nando's halloumi cheese is often served as sticks, grilled in olive oil, and served with chilli jam for dipping. The chilli jam is made with tomatoes, red chilli, sugar, and vinegar. To make the halloumi sticks, cut 250g of halloumi into sticks, pat them dry, and grill them in olive oil for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Be careful not to overcook the halloumi, as it can become rubbery. The chilli jam can be made by combining the tomatoes, red chilli, sugar, and apple cider vinegar in a saucepan and simmering until thickened. This recipe typically yields 10 halloumi sticks, or 5 sticks per person for a serving size of four people.
Another option is to serve the halloumi as part of a larger meal, such as with chicken, peri-peri chips, and garlic bread. In this case, the halloumi can be cut into slices or sticks and grilled or pan-fried until crispy. It can also be added to a sandwich or wrap with other ingredients, such as vegetables or meats.
Additionally, halloumi can be a great addition to a salad or grain bowl. For example, you could grill or pan-fry the halloumi and serve it on top of a bed of greens, with roasted vegetables, and a vinaigrette dressing. It can also be crumbled or chopped and used as a topping or garnish for soups, stews, or grain dishes.
For a more indulgent option, halloumi can be fried or grilled and served with a sweet dipping sauce, such as honey or maple syrup. This can be served as a dessert or a tasty snack. It can also be a fun and unexpected addition to a cheese board or charcuterie plate, providing a different texture and flavour profile to the other cheeses.
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Frequently asked questions
They cut the halloumi into sticks, pat them dry to remove excess moisture, and grill them in olive oil for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
The halloumi sticks are served with chilli jam for dipping. The jam is made by combining tomatoes, red chilli, sugar, and apple cider vinegar in a saucepan.
To make the halloumi cheese crispy, it is important not to overcook it. Halloumi can become rubbery if left on the heat for too long.
