Frederic Melton
Halloumi is a semi-hard cheese with a unique savoury, salty flavour and a firm, chewy texture. It's made from the milk of goats, sheep or cows and is particularly popular in Cyprus and Greece. Its high melting point means it's perfect for grilling, frying, roasting or baking, and it's often served with fresh fruit, tomatoes, toasted sesame seeds or honey. It's also a great vegetarian alternative to meat. So what are some of the best things to serve with halloumi?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Firm, chewy, crunchy, crispy, gooey, soft, salty, savoury, squeaky, crunchy exterior, warm, grilled, fried, baked, raw |
| Taste | Salty, savoury, tangy, sweet, spicy, sour, rich, slightly salty, slightly gooey |
| Colour | Golden brown, dark beauty marks, golden |
| Shape | Slices, sticks, slabs, planks, cubes, fingers, balls, chunks, skewers, wraps, sliders, stuffed, strips, strips, strips, strips, strips |
| Type of Dish | Appetizer, side dish, main course, breakfast, lunch, dinner, salad, snack, sandwich, wrap, burger, curry, pizza, tacos, soup, dip, bowl, hash, toastie, traybake, cake, sliders, skewers, flatbread, fritter, stir-fry, sheet-pan, grilled cheese, marinade, dressing, marinade, croutons, dip, marinade |
| Accompaniments | Grilled Brined Vegetables, Grilled Watermelon, Grilled Cherry Tomatoes, Bread, Crust Bread, Crusty Bread, Pita, Pita Chips, Flatbread, Baguette, Couscous, Tricolor Couscous, Rice, Cilantro Lime Rice, Coconut Rice, Black Beans, Salsa, Mango Salsa, Peach Salsa, Pineapple Salsa, Greek Dressing, Honey, Thyme, Harissa, Hummus, Avocado, Tomato, Cherry Tomatoes, Walnuts, Roasted Tomatoes, Poached Egg, Courgette, Red Onion, Garlic, Mint, Oregano, Thyme, Sumac, Toasted Sesame Seeds, Za'atar, Basil, Jalapeno, Lemon, Lemon Juice, Lime Juice, Chilli, Lime Zest, Oregano, Spinach, Olives, Mozzarella, Mushrooms, Sweet Potato, Chickpeas, Beetroot, Carrot, Radish, Corn, Sweetcorn, Aubergine, Red Cabbage, Bell Peppers, Red Peppers, Green Peppers, Red Onions, White Rice, Brown Rice, Papadam, Pomegranate Molasses, Greek Yogurt, Mushrooms, Toasted Sourdough, Romaine, Fava Beans, Gochujang Brown Butter, Capers, Pickled Cabbage, Pico de Gallo, Almonds, Sultanas, Bacon, Prosciutto, Melon, Mint Pesto, Caper and Chilli Dressing, Harissa Mayo, Peri Peri Sauce, Citrus Slaw, Chipotle, Smoked Paprika, Brown Sugar, Garam Masala, Kashmiri Chilli, Tarka, Vegetable, Summer Veg, Mediterranean Veg, Quinoa, Black Olives, Jalapeno Yogurt, Tabbouleh, Pepper, Chilli and Pine Nut Dressing, Dukkah, Carrot, Dill, Spiced Lentils, Chickpeas, Beetroot Borani, Chilli Jam, Chilli Maple Dressing, Halloumi Fries, Halloumi Croutons, Halloumi Fingers, <co: 1>Halloumi Cheese Fingers</ |
What You'll Learn
Salads
Simple Salad
Add chopped-up grilled halloumi to a simple salad of avocado and tomato. Enjoy it with a chilled glass of white wine.
Greek Salad
Grill some halloumi and add it to a Greek salad for a salty, savoury twist.
Spinach, Nectarine, and Halloumi Salad
Top a spinach and nectarine salad with pan-fried halloumi, red onion, and bell pepper for a crunchy bite.
Butternut Squash and Halloumi Salad
Pairing halloumi with butternut squash is a great way to enjoy the cheese year-round. The salty halloumi contrasts well with the sweet winter squash.
Halloumi, Chickpea, and Tomato Salad with Mint
This fresh salad with warm halloumi is a delicious and satisfying lunch or light summer supper.
Grilled Halloumi and Cherry Tomatoes with Mint Pesto
Grill some halloumi and cherry tomatoes and serve them with mint pesto for a tasty salad.
Grilled Halloumi With Watermelon and Basil-Mint Oil
Grill some halloumi and watermelon and drizzle with basil-mint oil for a unique combination of sweet and savoury flavours.
Grilled Halloumi With Berry Mint Salad
This salad is for those who like a combination of salty and sweet. Combine grilled halloumi with fresh summer berries, jalapeños, fresh mint, and lime juice.
Halloumi, Kale, and Tahini Salad
The salty halloumi works wonders with softened kale and nutty tahini in this simple salad, perfect for lunch or a lighter evening meal.
Halloumi Salad with Peppers, Pine Nuts, and Broccoli
A filling vegetarian salad for two: on the table in half an hour, this main-course salad combines halloumi, broccoli, red peppers, and pine nuts.
Warm Puy Lentil, Cherry Tomato, and Halloumi Salad
A hearty and nutritious salad that can be assembled quickly. Tender Puy lentils and golden, squeaky halloumi are served with cherry tomatoes, red onion, and lemon juice.
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Grilled dishes
Grilled halloumi is a delicious, warm, salty, and chewy cheese that can be served in many ways. Here are some ideas for grilled dishes:
Grilled Halloumi as an Appetizer
Halloumi is a great stand-alone appetizer, but it can also be served with a sliced baguette, fresh herbs, and a sauce for drizzling, such as honey or Greek dressing. For a sweet and savoury combination, try drizzling honey on the cheese.
Grilled Halloumi in a Salad
Halloumi is an excellent addition to salads. It can be used instead of mozzarella in a Caprese salad or added to a panzanella or Greek salad. For a unique flavour profile, try a grilled peach halloumi salad.
Grilled Halloumi in a Sandwich
Halloumi can be used to make a delicious grilled cheese sandwich or added to grilled vegetable sandwiches. For a vegetarian option, place it on top of a portobello burger. It can also be served in a pita with grilled vegetables and a spread, such as hummus or romesco sauce.
Grilled Halloumi in a Bowl
Pair grilled halloumi with cilantro lime rice or coconut rice, black beans, and a fruity salsa. It can also be served with farro or couscous, roasted tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and olives.
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Fried foods
Halloumi is a semi-hard, salty cheese with a high melting point, making it ideal for frying. Frying halloumi is a quick and easy way to cook the cheese, creating a golden crust on the outside while keeping the inside soft and savoury. Here are some delicious fried halloumi dishes to try:
Fried Halloumi Bites
Cut the halloumi into chunks and dredge in flour before deep-frying until golden brown. These bites are a great snack and can be served with a mildly spiced yogurt dip.
Fried Halloumi Sticks/Fries
Cut the halloumi into thick sticks and fry in extra virgin olive oil for a beautiful golden crust. Drizzle with warmed honey and sprinkle with sesame seeds for a sweet and salty treat.
Halloumi Cheese Fingers
Fry or grill the halloumi sticks and serve with a Greek salad and crusty bread for a complete meal. The halloumi will be slightly gooey on the inside, making a great contrast to the crunchy exterior.
Crispy Halloumi Burgers
Fry the halloumi in breadcrumbs until golden and crispy. Serve in a bun with grilled vegetables and a spicy sauce, such as harissa mayo.
Halloumi Wraps
Fry the halloumi and serve in a warm, soft flatbread with a spiced tzatziki sauce and crunchy za'atar chips.
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Sandwiches
Halloumi is a semi-hard cheese with a high melting point, which makes it perfect for grilling. It is traditionally made with a mix of goat's milk and sheep's milk, though commercial halloumi can also be made with cow's milk. It has a salty, savoury and tangy flavour, with a firm, chewy texture.
- Grilled Halloumi Sandwiches: This is a simple yet satisfying combination of warm, grilled halloumi and cold, juicy tomatoes in a toasted bun. It is a quick and easy vegetarian option that requires minimal preparation and cooking time.
- Charred Cauliflower Pitas with Halloumi & Harissa: A sandwich with a spicy kick, combining grilled halloumi, cauliflower, eggplant, zucchini, grilled onions, lemon juice and romesco sauce.
- Caprese Sandwiches: Swap out the fresh mozzarella for grilled halloumi to add a salty, savoury twist to this classic sandwich.
- Halloumi with Grilled Eggplant and Zucchini: This sandwich combines grilled halloumi, eggplant, zucchini, onions, lemon juice and romesco sauce.
- Halloumi with Grilled Onions and Romesco Sauce: A variation on the above, this sandwich features grilled halloumi and onions with romesco sauce.
- Halloumi with Grilled Eggplant: Halloumi and eggplant are a perfect pairing, as the salty cheese complements the creamy, slightly bitter eggplant.
- Halloumi with Mint and Greek Dressing: This sandwich features grilled halloumi with a refreshing mint and Greek dressing. Drizzle with honey for a sweet and savoury combo.
- Halloumi with Mango Salsa: For a fruity twist, pair grilled halloumi with a mango salsa, pineapple salsa or peach salsa.
- Halloumi with Hummus: Halloumi and hummus is a delicious combination, as the salty cheese complements the creamy hummus. Spread some hummus on a pita or sandwich bread and top with grilled halloumi and your choice of vegetables.
- Halloumi with Avocado: Avocado and halloumi is another tasty pairing, as the creamy avocado balances the salty cheese. Add some sliced avocado to any of the above sandwiches, or simply pair grilled halloumi with avocado and sliced tomatoes in a sandwich.
Halloumi is a versatile ingredient that can be grilled, fried, baked or roasted, and incorporated into a variety of dishes. It works well in sandwiches, salads, wraps, skewers, curries, paninis and pizzas.
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Curries
Halloumi is a semi-hard, salty cheese with a high melting point, making it ideal for grilling or frying. It is a popular ingredient in Mediterranean-style dishes, but it also works well in curries. Here are some ideas for curries that go well with halloumi:
Butter Halloumi Curry
This curry is inspired by the popular Indian dish, butter chicken. Halloumi is fried and mixed into a butter masala sauce, creating a tasty vegetarian alternative. The saltiness of the halloumi is balanced by toning down the amount of cream and butter in the sauce. This dish can be served with rice.
Halloumi Curry
This is a simple vegetarian dish that can be made in about 30 minutes. It includes frying cubes of halloumi and adding them to a curry with vegetables such as onion, broccoli, and cauliflower. The halloumi provides a "meaty" texture to the dish. It can be served with naan bread.
Sweet Potato, Spinach, and Halloumi Curry
This curry combines halloumi with sweet potatoes, spinach, and chickpeas. It is a vegetarian dish that can be served with brown basmati rice and papadums.
Creamy Halloumi Curry
This curry features halloumi fried and mixed into a creamy and fragrant sauce. It also includes cauliflower florets, passata, tomato puree, and natural yoghurt. It can be served with rice and naan bread.
Easy Lentil and Halloumi Curry
This curry combines halloumi with lentils, vegetables such as onion, courgette, and mushrooms, and spices such as garam masala, smoked paprika, and cumin. It can be served with brown or white rice, or naan bread.
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Frequently asked questions
Halloumi cheese is a great vegetarian option for grilling. Some good vegetarian dishes that go well with halloumi cheese are grilled halloumi wraps, halloumi burgers, halloumi salads, and halloumi sandwiches.
Some good non-vegetarian dishes that go well with halloumi cheese are seared lamb with marinated halloumi and herbs, grilled pork chops with plums, halloumi, and lemon, and mustardy sausage and halloumi stir-fry.
Halloumi cheese has a salty and savoury taste. Some good sides that go well with halloumi cheese are honey, watermelon, cured olives, and thyme.
