Randy Chandler
Halloumi is a semi-hard, salty cheese made from goat or sheep's milk, or a combination of both. Originating from Cyprus, it is a favourite in Greek recipes and is often served as an appetizer or meze. Halloumi has a high melting point, making it perfect for grilling or frying. When cooked, the outside becomes crisp, browned, or charred, while the inside turns soft and savoury. It can be served in a variety of ways, including in sandwiches, wraps, salads, or simply on its own with a variety of dips and garnishes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Cyprus |
| Cheese type | Firm, salty, semi-hard, unripened, with a high melting point |
| Texture | Squeaky |
| Milk | Goat and/or sheep |
| Fat content | Moderately high |
| Protein content | High |
| Cooking methods | Pan-frying, roasting, broiling, grilling, frying |
| Cooking oil | Olive oil or butter |
| Seasonings | Lemon, dried mint, oregano, garlic, honey, thyme, chilli flakes, sesame seeds |
| Serving suggestions | Greek salad, roasted vegetables, couscous, rice, quinoa, pita bread, hummus, grilled fruit, sandwiches, wraps, tacos |
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What You'll Learn
Pan-fried halloumi with honey and thyme
Halloumi is a traditional Greek cheese with a high melting point, making it perfect for frying. It has a firm texture and a salty, squeaky taste.
Ingredients
- Halloumi (a 250g block should be enough for two portions)
- Olive oil or butter
- Honey
- Thyme
- Chilli flakes (optional)
- Lemon (optional)
- Garlic (optional)
Method
- Remove the halloumi from its packaging and pat it dry with a kitchen towel.
- Cut the halloumi into slices. 1cm-thick slices. Thicker slices may melt and fall apart.
- Optional: Marinade the halloumi in a mixture of honey, thyme, chilli flakes, and lemon juice for at least 10 minutes, or ideally 2-3 hours.
- Heat a griddle pan to a very high heat.
- Brush each piece of halloumi with olive oil or butter.
- Place the halloumi slices in the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until golden.
- Transfer the halloumi to a serving plate.
- Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with thyme and chilli flakes.
- Serve immediately with warm pita bread, olives, and olive oil.
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Grilled halloumi with lemon
Grilled halloumi is a delicious Greek dish that can be served as an appetizer or a side. It is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with various ingredients to enhance its flavour.
To make grilled halloumi with lemon, start by removing the halloumi from its packaging and patting it dry with a kitchen towel. This step is important to remove any excess moisture and ensure a better grilling experience. Cut the halloumi into eight equal-sized slices or slabs, each about 1/2-inch thick.
Next, heat a grill pan or a non-stick skillet on medium-high heat. You can use an indoor or outdoor grill, depending on your preference and availability. Brush each piece of halloumi with olive oil or butter. Olive oil adds a delicious, briny flavour, while butter gives a rich, salty taste.
Once the grill pan is hot, place the halloumi slices in a single layer and cook until golden brown. This should take around 3 to 4 minutes. Then, flip the slices and cook the other side for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, until grill marks appear.
Transfer the grilled halloumi to a plate and let it cool for at least 5 minutes. Squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the grilled halloumi to add a bright, lightly sweet, and tart citrus kick. You can also serve it with sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh mint, and a drizzle of olive oil for a refreshing Mediterranean flavour profile.
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Halloumi in sandwiches
Halloumi is a semi-hard cheese made from a mix of goat's milk and sheep's milk, sometimes containing cow's milk. It originates from Cyprus and is a favourite in Greek recipes. Halloumi has a high melting point, which means it can be cooked under direct heat without losing its shape. This makes it perfect for grilling or frying, and an excellent choice for sandwiches.
Halloumi Sandwich Recipes
There are numerous ways to make a delicious halloumi sandwich. Here are some ideas for ingredients to pair with halloumi in your sandwich:
- Tomatoes
- Lettuce
- Onions
- Arugula
- Pesto
- Balsamic glaze or balsamic vinegar
- Honey
- Garlic mayo or garlic-pepper mayo
- Lemon juice
Cooking the Halloumi
Before cooking the halloumi, remove it from its packaging and pat it dry with a kitchen towel. Then, slice the halloumi into slabs around 1/2-inch thick. You can then cook the halloumi in a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown, usually around 2-3 minutes per side.
Assembling the Sandwich
Once the halloumi is cooked, you can assemble your sandwich. You may wish to toast the bread first, and spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on one side. Then, layer the halloumi with your chosen ingredients. For example, you could add some sliced tomato and lettuce, followed by a drizzle of balsamic glaze and a spread of garlic mayo on the other slice of bread.
Halloumi sandwiches are a quick and easy meal, perfect for lunch or a weeknight dinner. They are a great vegetarian option and a unique twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich.
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Halloumi with sesame seeds
Halloumi is a traditional Cypriot cheese made from sheep and/or goat milk. It has a high melting point, making it ideal for grilling or frying. The outside becomes crisp and charred, while the inside stays warm and chewy.
To make halloumi with sesame seeds, you will need:
- Halloumi cheese
- Olive oil or butter
- Sesame seeds
- Honey
- Flour
- Egg
Begin by removing the halloumi from its packaging and drying it with a kitchen towel. Cut the halloumi into cubes. Scoop flour onto a plate and pour the sesame seeds onto a second plate. Beat an egg in a shallow bowl. Coat the halloumi cubes in flour, shaking off any excess. Dip them in the egg, then roll them in the sesame seeds until coated.
Pour oil into a large pot until it reaches halfway up the sides. Heat the oil over medium heat. Add the halloumi cubes to the hot oil in batches so as not to crowd the pot. Cook the halloumi, turning the cubes often, until the sesame seeds turn golden brown. This should take around 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remove the halloumi from the oil and place it on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Repeat this process with the remaining cubes.
Finally, warm some honey in the microwave for about 30 seconds and drizzle it over the halloumi cubes before serving. Enjoy your halloumi as an appetizer or add it to sandwiches and wraps for a savoury, squeaky cheese treat!
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Halloumi as a Greek appetiser
Halloumi is a semi-hard, salty cheese made from goat or sheep's milk, or a combination of both. Originating from Cyprus, it is a favourite in Greek recipes. Halloumi has a high melting point, which makes it perfect for grilling or frying. Its exterior becomes crisp and charred or browned, while the inside remains warm and chewy.
To cook halloumi, first remove it from its packaging and pat it dry with a kitchen towel. Cut the block into eight pieces. You can choose to fry or grill the cheese. To fry, heat a non-stick pan with olive oil or butter over medium to medium-high heat. Place the halloumi in the pan and fry for 1 to 2 minutes on each side until golden brown. To grill, heat a griddle pan to a very high heat and brush each piece of halloumi with olive oil. Place the cheese on the grill pan and cook until browned.
Halloumi makes a great appetiser or meze, served in slices with a variety of dips and sides. For a sweet and salty combination, drizzle honey over the fried or grilled cheese and sprinkle with thyme and chilli flakes. You can also serve halloumi with toasted sesame seeds and red pepper flakes. For a more savoury option, serve the cheese with a sweet chilli dipping sauce or a Greek salad and crusty bread.
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