The Best Sauces To Pair With Halloumi Cheese

Halloumi cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be grilled, barbecued, fried, or baked without losing its shape. It has a high melting point, a robust texture, and a savoury flavour. So, what sauces go well with halloumi cheese?

A popular choice is a sweet chilli sauce, which can be made with chillies, honey, and lime. This combination of sweet and spicy flavours pairs well with the saltiness of the cheese. Another option is a caper sauce, made with capers, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, coriander seeds, and black pepper. For a simpler option, halloumi can be served with a drizzle of honey or a squeeze of lemon juice.

If you're looking for a more substantial meal, halloumi can be served with a dip such as Greek yoghurt, sour cream, or tzatziki. These combinations create a contrast between the salty cheese and the cool, tangy dip. Halloumi fries are also delicious served with a sweet chilli mayo dipping sauce.

Halloumi is a unique ingredient that can be enjoyed in many different ways, so feel free to experiment with different sauces and dips to find your favourite combinations.

Sweet chilli sauce

There are many ways to serve halloumi with sweet chilli sauce. One option is to cut the halloumi into fries, or sticks, and serve them with a dip of sweet chilli sauce. This can be done by slicing a block of halloumi into fry shapes, rolling them in flour, and then frying them in oil. The flour coating helps to give the halloumi a crispy texture. These halloumi fries can be served as an appetiser or snack, or even as a side dish.

Another option is to create a sweet chilli glaze for the halloumi. This can be done by mixing chilli jam or sweet chilli sauce with lime juice. The halloumi is then cooked in a pan and coated in the sauce. This dish can be garnished with spring onion and sesame seeds, and served with fresh bread.

Halloumi can also be served in a wrap with sweet chilli sauce. This can be done by coating sliced halloumi in sweet chilli sauce and frying it in a pan. The wrap can then be assembled with layers of lettuce, cucumber, carrot, and a tzatziki sauce made from Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, and lime juice.

When choosing a sweet chilli sauce to pair with halloumi, it is important to consider the level of spice. Most sweet chilli sauces are pretty mild, but chilli flakes can be added to turn up the heat.

Caper sauce

Capers are a great pairing with halloumi cheese, and a caper sauce is a delicious accompaniment to grilled halloumi. The salty, crispy cheese is complemented by the tangy, sharp caper sauce.

To make a caper sauce to serve with grilled halloumi, you will need:

• Capers
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Coriander seeds
• Black pepper
• Garlic
• Cilantro

Begin by covering the capers with fresh water and soaking them for about 5 minutes. This will remove any excess salt. Drain the capers and chop them coarsely. Next, stir together the capers, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and crushed coriander seeds in a small bowl. Season the mixture with black pepper.

Brush the halloumi slices with olive oil and cook them on a preheated grill or frying pan until golden and crispy. Place the grilled halloumi on a serving plate and drizzle the caper sauce on top. Finally, sprinkle with fresh cilantro leaves and season with salt and pepper to taste.

This dish is a delicious summer starter and is sure to impress your guests. The combination of crispy, salty halloumi and tangy caper sauce is a flavour sensation.

Honey Greek yoghurt

To make the sauce, simply mix Greek yoghurt, a little lemon juice, a touch of honey, and a pinch of salt. You can serve this sauce as a dip alongside fried halloumi cheese, or drizzle it over halloumi fries. For an extra special touch, sprinkle the dish with chopped pistachios.

If you want to make halloumi fries, you'll need to slice the halloumi into 1/2-inch "fries" and set up a breading station. Mix plain and panko breadcrumbs together in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Whisk an egg in another bowl, and add flour to a shallow bowl or plate, seasoning with salt and pepper. Next, dip the halloumi in flour, then egg, followed by the panko breadcrumb mixture, and repeat. Heat a large cast-iron skillet to a medium heat, and once the oil is hot, add the breaded halloumi fries. Cook until the fries are brown on all sides, which will likely require working in batches.

Halloumi cheese is a Greek or Mediterranean cheese that is a hybrid between feta and mozzarella. It has an intensely salty flavour and a texture similar to mozzarella or cheese curds, but a little spongier. It's great for grilling or pan-frying as it has a high melting point and won't melt like other cheeses.

Sweet-and-heat sauce

Halloumi cheese is a firm, salty, semi-hard, unripened cheese with a high melting point, making it perfect for grilling or frying. It is made from sheep and/or goat milk and originates from Cyprus. Its unique texture and taste make it a delightful snack or side dish.

Ingredients

For a sweet-and-heat sauce to accompany halloumi cheese, you will need the following ingredients:

• Honey
• Greek Yogurt
• Sweet Chili Sauce
• Lemon
• Olive Oil
• Spices (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Halloumi Cheese

Start by slicing the halloumi cheese into medium-thick pieces, approximately 1/4 inch or 1 cm thick. This thickness ensures a crispy exterior while maintaining a soft and chewy interior. Dry the cheese with a paper towel and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Sauce

In a small bowl, mix Greek yogurt, honey, and sweet chili sauce. You can adjust the proportions according to your taste preferences. Add a squeeze of lemon juice to enhance the sweetness and a drizzle of olive oil for a smoother consistency. If desired, you can also add spices like chili flakes or black pepper for an extra kick.

Step 3: Cook the Halloumi Cheese

Heat a non-stick pan or grill to medium-high heat. You can use a cast-iron skillet or a griddle pan. Brush each halloumi slice with olive oil and season with pepper, if desired. Place the halloumi slices on the pan or grill and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crispy.

Step 4: Plate and Serve

Once the halloumi is cooked to your liking, remove it from the heat and arrange the slices on a serving plate. Drizzle the sweet-and-heat sauce over the halloumi, or serve it on the side as a dipping sauce. Garnish with chopped nuts or fresh herbs, if desired.

Tips and Variations

• For a thicker sauce, you can reduce the amount of yogurt or add more honey and chili sauce.
• If you prefer a thinner sauce, add a small amount of water or lemon juice to the mixture.
• To enhance the flavor of the halloumi, you can marinate it before cooking. Try a spiced basil-chili oil marinade or a simple lemon and herb marinade.
• For an extra crispy texture, coat the halloumi slices in flour or breadcrumbs before frying.
• Halloumi cheese goes well with various accompaniments, such as grilled fruits, vegetables, pita bread, or Greek appetizers like tzatziki, spinach triangles, or meatballs.

Enjoy your sweet-and-heat sauce with halloumi cheese! This combination of sweet and savory flavors is sure to impress your taste buds.

Harissa yoghurt

Harissa Yogurt Halloumi Fries

Ingredients:

• Halloumi cheese
• Plain flour
• Olive oil
• Greek yoghurt
• Lemon juice
• Honey (optional)
• Chopped pistachios (optional)
• Harissa spice blend

Instructions:

• Cut the halloumi cheese into thick fries, approximately 1.5-2 cm wide.
• Roll the halloumi fries in plain flour to ensure a crispy coating.
• Heat olive oil in a shallow pan or saucepan to a medium-high temperature.
• Carefully place the halloumi fries into the hot oil and fry for a few minutes on each side until golden and crispy.
• Remove the fries from the oil and drain on a paper towel.
• Prepare the harissa yoghurt by mixing Greek yoghurt with a squeeze of lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Add a drizzle of honey for extra sweetness, if desired.
• Sprinkle the halloumi fries with the harissa spice blend.
• Serve the hot halloumi fries with the harissa yoghurt on the side for dipping.

This recipe creates a delicious and addictive appetiser or snack that is sure to impress your guests. The salty, crispy halloumi fries pair perfectly with the cool, creamy harissa yoghurt, creating a flavour sensation that is both unique and satisfying. Enjoy!

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