Randy Chandler
Halloumi is a semi-hard, unripened cheese with a mild, spongy texture and salty flavour. It is made from goat's milk, sheep's milk, or a combination of the two, and sometimes with cow's milk. It is a classic Cypriot cheese that has grown in popularity across the world. Halloumi is a very versatile cheese that can be grilled, barbecued, fried, baked, or served raw. Its high melting point means it develops a gorgeous golden crust when grilled or fried, making it a great addition to salads, sandwiches, and wraps. It pairs well with a variety of ingredients, including watermelon, avocado, tomatoes, honey, balsamic vinegar, and Mediterranean vegetables.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Cyprus |
| Texture | Firm, semi-hard, salty, spongy, squeaky |
| Flavour | Savoury, salty |
| Colour | White |
| Type of milk | Goat, sheep, or a combination of the two; sometimes made with cow's milk |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch, dinner, side dish, appetizer |
| Dishes | Salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, soup, omelettes, fritters, fries, kebabs, wraps, toastie, grilled cheese |
| Accompaniments | Eggs, avocado, tomatoes, watermelon, honey, balsamic vinegar, Greek salad, bread, olive oil, lemon juice, quinoa, rice pilaf, grilled vegetables, roasted potatoes, mushrooms, spinach, hummus, salsa, aubergine, harissa, pomegranate molasses, rose harissa, tahini, freekeh, jalapeño yoghurt, carrots, lentils, chickpeas, dukkah, lamb |
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What You'll Learn
Salads, sandwiches and wraps
A simple way to cook halloumi for use in salads and sandwiches is to fry slices in a dry non-stick pan. This will create a golden crust on the outside, while the inside stays soft and squishy. You can also grill it, or bake it in the oven, drizzled with olive oil and herbs or spices.
Salads
Halloumi is a great addition to a Greek salad. It also pairs well with avocado, nectarine, red onion, and bell pepper for a spinach salad. Its salty flavour is a nice contrast to sweet ingredients like watermelon, nectarine, and squash. You can also try it with kale and tahini, or broccoli and caramelised onions.
Sandwiches and wraps
Halloumi is a tasty vegetarian alternative to meat in sandwiches and wraps. Try it with peppers and onions in a low-carb tortilla or pita, or with mushrooms, avocado, spinach, and harissa in a veggie burger. You can also use grilled halloumi slices instead of bread in sandwiches, or as a gluten-free alternative to melted cheese in a toastie.
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Grilled, fried or baked
Grilled
Halloumi cheese is a great option for grilling because it doesn't melt. To grill halloumi, slice it into 1/2-inch thick planks and drizzle them with olive oil. Preheat your grill to a medium temperature and place the cheese on it, grilling each side for 2-3 minutes until grill marks form. You can serve grilled halloumi as an appetiser with sliced baguette, fresh herbs, and a sauce for drizzling, such as honey for a sweet and savoury combo. It also goes well in sandwiches, grain bowls, or with sliced tomatoes and crusty bread.
Fried
Halloumi is also a popular choice for frying because it doesn't melt and holds its shape. You can dry fry halloumi in a non-stick pan, which creates a golden crust, or fry it in olive oil. Cut the halloumi into sticks or slices and fry them for 3-5 minutes on each side until they are crispy and brown. Fried halloumi can be served as a sweet and salty snack with warmed honey and sesame seeds, or as part of a mezze or cheese board. It also works well in salads, such as a spinach salad or a Caprese salad.
Baked
Baked halloumi is another option and can be a great way to add flavour to your dishes. Place slices of halloumi in an ovenproof dish, drizzle with olive oil and herbs or spices, and bake for 10-15 minutes at 200°C. It can be served with crusty bread and pre-roasted red peppers, or used as a topping for salads or grain bowls. Baked halloumi also works well in a Mediterranean-style bake with a rich tomato and vegetable sauce.
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With fruit
Halloumi is a salty, semi-hard cheese with a high melting point, which makes it perfect for grilling. Its robust texture and savoury flavour make it a great addition to a variety of side dishes, including fruit.
With Watermelon
Halloumi and watermelon is a classic combination in Cyprus. The salty halloumi is a great contrast to the sweet, crisp watermelon. Experiment with different types of melon, or try combining halloumi with other citrus fruits.
With Tomatoes
Halloumi is often paired with tomatoes, especially in summer. Try it in a fresh avocado and tomato salad, or with grilled vegetables, such as peppers and onions. You can also add it to a Greek salad, or use it in place of mozzarella in a Caprese salad.
With Other Fruits
Halloumi also goes well with pomegranate molasses, which can be drizzled on top or served as a dip. Try it with a squeeze of lemon juice, or pair it with honey and thyme for a sweet-salty-crunchy appetizer.
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In a soup
Halloumi cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in soups, salads, sandwiches, and more. Here are some ideas for incorporating halloumi into a soup:
Cypriot Trahanas with Halloumi Soup
Trahanas with halloumi soup is a traditional Greek Cypriot speciality. It is a comforting sour soup made from wheat, fermented yogurt, and chunks of salty halloumi. To make this soup, you will need to leave sheep or goat yogurt in a pot at room temperature for a few days to ferment. Once the yogurt has fermented, add cracked wheat and cook it over low heat, stirring constantly until the yogurt is absorbed into the wheat. Shape the mixture into ovals and let them dry in the sun. To make the soup, soak the dried trahanas in water for an hour, then add more water and chicken stock, stirring until it thickens. Finally, add chopped halloumi to the soup, and sprinkle with black pepper to taste. This soup is full of flavour and texture, with the halloumi adding a rubbery, salty, and chewy element.
Tomato Soup with Halloumi
A classic combination, tomato soup is often served with grilled cheese sandwiches or croutons. To make a tomato soup with halloumi, you can prepare the soup with ingredients like tomatoes, shallots, onions, garlic, broth, olive oil, and milk for creaminess. Blend the soup until smooth, and then top it with crispy grilled halloumi cheese. You can cut the halloumi into small cubes and fry them until golden brown to use as croutons, or serve the grilled halloumi on the side for dipping. This combination is perfect for those who want a lighter option than a grilled cheese sandwich but still want the taste of melted cheese with their tomato soup.
Other Soup Ideas
In addition to the specific soups mentioned above, halloumi can be added to various other soups to add flavour and texture. Halloumi is a sheep and goat's milk cheese that has a uniquely firm texture and a high melting point, making it ideal for grilling, pan-frying, roasting, broiling, or frying. Its salty and savoury flavour can complement a variety of soup bases. Consider adding grilled or fried halloumi to soups that feature ingredients like vegetables, grains, or legumes. For example, you could pair it with a summery grain bowl, a rice pilaf, or a soup with grilled vegetables like eggplant, bell peppers, asparagus, mushrooms, or zucchini. The smokiness and char of grilled halloumi can enhance the flavours of the soup and provide a satisfying contrast in texture.
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As a side dish
Halloumi is a semi-hard, unripened cheese with a mild, spongy texture and salty flavour. It is a classic Cypriot cheese made from goat's milk, sheep's milk, or a combination of the two. Its firm texture and high melting point mean it can be grilled, barbecued, or fried without losing its shape.
Salads
Halloumi is a great addition to salads, such as a Greek salad, spinach and nectarine salad, or a simple avocado and tomato salad. For a low-calorie option, try a simple salad of halloumi, kale, and tahini. The salty halloumi works well with the softened kale and nutty tahini. You could also try a warm quinoa salad with grilled halloumi, or a freekeh salad with jalapeño yogurt.
Grilled vegetables
Grilled vegetables provide a great contrast in texture and their smokiness pairs perfectly with grilled halloumi. Try eggplant, bell peppers, asparagus, mushrooms, or zucchini.
Rice pilaf
Rice pilaf is a classic side dish that goes well with halloumi. It is made by cooking rice in a flavorful broth with herbs, spices, and vegetables.
Roasted potatoes
Roasted potatoes are a delicious and easy side dish to serve with halloumi.
Flatbreads
Grill spiced halloumi until golden and serve with warm flatbreads and a fresh salad for a spiced veggie meal.
Tomato Zaatar Soup
This soup, made with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and Middle Eastern spices, pairs well with fried bite-sized halloumi.
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Frequently asked questions
Some side dishes that go well with halloumi cheese include grilled vegetables, roasted potatoes, and rice pilaf.
Halloumi cheese can be grilled, barbecued, fried, baked, or toasted.
Halloumi cheese is a great substitute for meat in burgers and can be used in vegetarian wraps, sandwiches, and salads.
Halloumi cheese pairs well with watermelon, avocado, honey, and tahini.
Halloumi cheese is a semi-hard, unripened cheese that has a mild spongy texture and a salty flavour. It is made from goat's milk, sheep's milk, or a combination of the two, and it originated in Cyprus.
