Patrick Oconnell
Halloumi cheese is a popular dish at Nando's, and many people try to recreate it at home. The cheese is cut into sticks or strips and cooked in a pan until crispy. Some people speculate that Nando's steams their halloumi before grilling it, which might be why it's so floppy. To make Nando's-style halloumi sticks at home, you can use 250g of halloumi cheese and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. You can also make chilli jam with tomatoes, red chilli, sugar, and vinegar to go with the halloumi.
How to cook Haloumi Cheese like Nando's
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main Ingredients | 250g Haloumi Cheese, 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil |
| Chilli Jam Ingredients | 200g finely chopped Tomatoes, 1 deseeded and finely chopped Red Chilli, 100g Sugar, 50ml Apple Cider Vinegar |
| Preparation | Cut Haloumi into strips or sticks |
| Cooking Method | Cook in a pan until crispy on both sides |
| Serving Size | 4 people (5 sticks each) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Cut the halloumi into sticks
To cut halloumi into sticks, start by ensuring you have a clean, dry surface to work on and a sharp knife. The size of the halloumi sticks may vary depending on your preference, but typically, you would cut the halloumi block into long, rectangular strips, around 1/2 inch thick. You can pat the halloumi dry with a paper towel before cutting to ensure it's not too moist, which will make it easier to handle and create a more even cut.
Hold the halloumi block firmly with one hand and carefully slice through it with a smooth, even motion. Try to maintain an evenly thick cut as you work your way through the block. Depending on the size of your halloumi block, you may need to cut it in half or quarters first to create manageable pieces that are easy to slice into sticks.
For the best results, it is recommended to chill the halloumi in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before cutting. This will help the cheese firm up, making it easier to cut into neat sticks and reducing the chances of it crumbling or breaking apart during the cutting process.
Once you have cut the halloumi into sticks, you can cook them in a pan with olive oil until crispy, as is commonly done at Nando's. This will give your halloumi sticks a delicious, golden crust while keeping the inside soft and chewy. You can also serve them with chilli jam, a popular side dish at Nando's, made with tomatoes, red chilli, sugar, and vinegar.
Exploring the Unique Flavor Profile of Ricotta Cheese
You may want to see also
Pan-fry until crispy
To cook halloumi cheese like Nando's, cut the cheese into sticks or strips. Heat a pan on medium heat and add two tablespoons of olive oil. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the halloumi sticks to the pan. Fry the halloumi sticks until they are golden brown and crispy on both sides. This should take around 10 minutes.
Halloumi cheese has a high melting point, so it's perfect for frying until crispy. When frying halloumi, it's important to use a non-stick pan and a small amount of oil to prevent the cheese from sticking to the pan. You can also try brushing the halloumi sticks with oil before placing them in the pan.
For an even crispier texture, you can try coating the halloumi sticks in a light layer of flour or cornstarch before frying. This will create a crispy exterior while keeping the inside melted and chewy.
Additionally, you can experiment with different types of oil to find your preferred flavour. Olive oil is a popular choice, but you can also try vegetable oil, avocado oil, or even ghee for a richer flavour.
Finally, remember to keep an eye on the halloumi sticks while they're frying. They can go from golden brown to burnt quite quickly, so it's important to keep a close watch to ensure they're cooked to perfection.
Mazzio's Cheese Dippers: What's the Deal?
You may want to see also
Use olive oil
To cook halloumi cheese like Nando's with olive oil, you'll need 250g of halloumi cheese and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Cut the halloumi into sticks or strips—about 10 sticks, or 5 per person if serving as an appetizer.
To cook the halloumi, heat a pan with two tablespoons of olive oil. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the halloumi sticks to the pan. Fry the halloumi until it's crispy and golden on both sides. This should take around 10 minutes. Keep an eye on the halloumi as it cooks, as it can burn easily.
You can also try grilling the halloumi. Thread the halloumi sticks onto skewers and brush them with olive oil. Place them on a preheated grill and cook until grill marks appear, flipping once to cook both sides.
If you're making Nando's-style halloumi sticks, you can serve them with chilli jam. To make the chilli jam, combine 200g of finely chopped tomatoes, 1 finely chopped and deseeded red chilli, 100g of sugar, and 50ml of apple cider vinegar in a saucepan. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a jam-like consistency. Serve the halloumi sticks with the chilli jam on the side for dipping.
Mozzarella's Ricotta-like Texture: What's the Reason?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Make chilli jam
To cook haloumi cheese like Nando's, cut the cheese into strips or sticks and cook them in a pan until crispy on both sides.
To make chilli jam, you'll need the following ingredients:
- Long red chillies
- Garlic cloves
- Ginger
- Limes
- Caster sugar
- Rice vinegar
- Water
- Fish sauce
- Tamarind concentrate
- Red onion
- Lemongrass
- Vegetable oil
- Brown sugar
Wash your jars and lids with hot soapy water, then stand them upright on an oven tray. Place the tray in the oven at 320°F/160°C for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, add the garlic cloves, ginger, and chillies to a food processor and blitz for 2 minutes until a thick paste forms. Heat the paste in a large pot and add the zest of two limes, 250g of caster sugar, 1/2 cup of rice vinegar, 1/3 cup of water, and 2-3 tablespoons of fish sauce. Stir through the fish sauce, then allow the chilli jam to cool slightly before transferring it to the warm jars. Store your homemade chilli jam in the fridge and use it within one month.
Blue Cheese: Why It's a Favorite for Many
You may want to see also
Serve as an appetiser
To serve halloumi as an appetiser, you can prepare it in a similar way to how it is done at Nando's. Cut 250g of halloumi cheese into sticks or strips and cook them in a pan with two tablespoons of olive oil until crispy on both sides. This recipe typically yields 10 halloumi sticks, providing five chunky pieces per person for a serving size of four people. You can also make a chilli jam to go with the halloumi by using 200g of finely chopped tomatoes, one deseeded and finely chopped red chilli, 100g of sugar, and 50ml of apple cider vinegar. This crowd-pleaser is a quick and easy snack that can be prepared in just 25 minutes, with only 15 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes of cooking time.
Human Flesh: Cheesy Taste or Myth?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Cut 250g of halloumi cheese into sticks or strips, and cook them in a pan with 2 tablespoons of olive oil until crispy on both sides. Serve with chilli jam, made from 200g of finely chopped tomatoes, 100g of sugar, 1 deseeded and finely chopped red chilli, and 50ml of apple cider vinegar.
This recipe typically yields 10 halloumi sticks, providing five chunky pieces per person for a serving size of four people.
It should take approximately 25 minutes in total to make halloumi sticks, with 15 minutes of preparation and 10 minutes of cooking time.
