Grilled Halloumi: The Perfect Side Dish For A Summer Bbq

what to serve with grilled halloumi cheese

Grilled halloumi is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. It is a Cypriot cheese with a high melting point, which means it can be grilled, barbecued, or fried without losing its shape. Halloumi is a great addition to salads, sandwiches, and bowls. It can also be served as an appetizer with sliced baguette, fresh herbs, and a tasty sauce for drizzling. The salty flavour of halloumi also pairs well with grilled vegetables, rice pilaf, and roasted potatoes.

Characteristics Values
Preparation Grilled, barbecued, fried, roasted, broiled, pan-fried
Texture Firm, robust, meaty, rubbery, salty, squeaky, crispy
Flavour Savoury, salty, umami
Origin Cyprus
Ingredients Goat's milk, sheep's milk, cow's milk
Accompaniments Rice pilaf, grilled vegetables, roasted potatoes, tomato zaatar soup, halloumi fries, burgers, wraps, salads, sandwiches, bowls

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Salads

One simple way to serve grilled halloumi is in a Caprese salad, substituting the mozzarella with grilled halloumi. It also works well in a Greek salad or a panzanella, a summery grain bowl with sliced tomatoes and crusty bread. For a festive starter or light lunch, try an easy halloumi salad with a lemon and caper dressing.

For a more substantial meal, a warm quinoa salad with grilled halloumi is a good option. You could also try a Middle Eastern-inspired salad with griddled halloumi, toasted pitta pieces, grains, tomatoes, dill, and mint. A courgette and halloumi salad is another tasty combination, especially when dressed with caper and lemon.

Halloumi can also be served as part of a vegetable skewer with grilled vegetables like eggplant, peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms. These can be served on a bed of lettuce with avocado, blue cheese, coconut "bacon", hard-boiled eggs, and a red wine vinaigrette for a meatless Cobb salad.

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Sandwiches

Grilled halloumi is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways, including sandwiches. Here are some ideas for grilled halloumi sandwiches:

Veggie Sandwich

This sandwich is a vibrant and filling option for lunch. It consists of slices of grilled halloumi, fresh beetroot, and a spoonful of hummus. You can also add other vegetables of your choice to make it even more nutritious and colourful.

Charred Cauliflower Pitas with Halloumi & Harissa

This sandwich combines grilled halloumi with charred cauliflower and a generous spread of harissa. It is a delicious and satisfying option for vegetarians, offering a blend of salty and spicy flavours.

Caprese Sandwiches

For a twist on the classic, replace the fresh mozzarella with grilled halloumi. This sandwich is a refreshing option, especially during the summer, and can be served with sliced baguette, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of honey or Greek dressing.

Grilled Vegetable Sandwich

This sandwich is packed with grilled vegetables, including halloumi, eggplant, zucchini, and onions. It also features a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and romesco sauce, adding a tangy and refreshing flavour to the sandwich.

Halloumi Tortilla Wraps

These tortilla wraps are a quick and easy option for a meal. They combine grilled halloumi with avocado and can be served with chilli sauce or soured cream. You can also add other vegetables or proteins to make it a more substantial wrap.

Grilled halloumi sandwiches offer a variety of flavourful and nutritious options, showcasing the versatility of halloumi as a sandwich ingredient.

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As a kebab

Grilled halloumi kebabs are a delicious and healthy meal, combining the salty, tangy, and smoky notes of halloumi with the vibrant Mediterranean flavours of fresh vegetables and herbs. They are a unique and irresistible appetizer or vegetarian main course that everyone will love.

To make grilled halloumi kebabs, start by slicing the halloumi into thick cubes. For a Greek-inspired kebab, choose two contrasting colours of bell peppers, a red onion, and cherry tomatoes. You can also add zucchini, eggplant, and garlic cloves to your skewers. Thread the halloumi and vegetables onto wooden or metal skewers, alternating between the two for a colourful presentation. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent them from burning.

Before grilling, brush the skewers with olive oil or avocado oil, and sprinkle them with salt. You can also marinate the halloumi and vegetables in a mixture of olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, and dried oregano or Italian seasoning. This will add even more flavour to your kebabs.

To grill the kebabs, preheat your grill to medium-high heat and grease the grill with olive oil to prevent sticking. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, turning them halfway through, until the halloumi is golden brown and the vegetables are softened and lightly charred.

Serve your grilled halloumi kebabs with lemon wedges and freshly chopped parsley, or with a side of homemade flatbread or pita. They also pair well with a simple Greek salad, a rice salad, or couscous. For a sweet and savoury combo, dip your grilled halloumi kebabs in honey or serve them with a sticky chilli dip.

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With soup

Grilled halloumi cheese is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways, including with soup. Here are some ideas for serving grilled halloumi cheese with soup:

Tomato Zaatar Soup

This soup is made with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and a variety of spices, including zaatar, a Middle Eastern spice blend made from thyme, sumac, and sesame seeds. The nutty flavor of zaatar pairs well with bite-sized pieces of fried halloumi cheese. To make the soup, sauté the onions and garlic in a pan until soft, then add the tomatoes and spices. Simmer until the tomatoes are tender, then serve with grilled halloumi cheese on top or on the side.

Vegetable Soup

Grilled halloumi cheese can also be served with a variety of vegetable soups. For example, you could make a roasted red pepper soup, a carrot soup, or a squash soup, and serve the grilled halloumi cheese on top or on the side. The sweetness of the vegetables will pair well with the salty, savory flavor of the halloumi cheese.

Bean and Vegetable Stew

Halloumi cheese can also be added to a bean and vegetable stew. For example, you could make a tomato-based stew with mixed beans, vegetables such as peppers and onions, and grilled halloumi cheese. The cheese will add a savory, salty flavor to the stew and provide a contrast in texture.

Grilled Halloumi Soup

For a more indulgent option, you could make a soup with grilled halloumi as the star ingredient. This could include other ingredients such as vegetables, beans, or grains, but the key flavor would be the grilled halloumi. The soup could be blended for a creamy texture or left chunky, depending on your preference.

Grilled halloumi cheese can be a delicious addition to soup, adding a savory, salty flavor and a unique texture. These are just a few ideas, but the versatility of grilled halloumi means that it can be paired with a variety of soups and stews.

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As a vegetarian alternative

Grilled halloumi is a delicious vegetarian alternative, offering a robust texture, a savoury flavour, and a salty, squeaky, and satisfyingly charred finish. Its high melting point means it can be grilled, barbecued, or fried without losing its shape.

One simple way to serve grilled halloumi is as an appetiser, with sliced baguette, fresh herbs, and a tasty sauce for drizzling. Honey is a great option for those who like a sweet and savoury combo. For a moreish alternative, dip the grilled halloumi in balsamic vinegar.

Grilled halloumi can be served in a sandwich, such as a Lebanese-style wrap with fried halloumi, grilled vegetables like aubergine, bell peppers, and zucchini, and a sauce such as salsa, hummus, or harissa mayo. For a healthier option, serve the filling in a lettuce cup instead of a bun.

Halloumi is also a great vegetarian option for a barbecue. Try it as a burger with portobello mushrooms and avocado, or with a honey-sesame glaze. For a lighter option, grill halloumi and serve it with a fresh salad—a Caprese salad with grilled halloumi instead of mozzarella is a tasty option.

For a more substantial meal, serve grilled halloumi with rice—cilantro lime rice or coconut rice with black beans are great options. Or, for a speedier supper, try a halloumi hash.

Finally, grilled halloumi is a tasty addition to skewers. Cut the cheese into thick cubes and thread them onto skewers that have been soaked in water for 20–30 minutes.

Frequently asked questions

Grilled halloumi cheese can be served with a variety of side dishes, including:

- Grilled vegetables such as eggplant, bell peppers, asparagus, mushrooms, or zucchini

- Roasted potatoes

- Rice pilaf

- Salads

- Flatbreads

- Chips with za'atar spices and spiced tzatziki

- Grilled meat

Grilled halloumi cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be served in many ways, including:

- As an appetizer with sliced baguette, fresh herbs, and a sauce for drizzling, such as honey or balsamic vinegar

- In a sandwich or wrap with vegetables and a sauce

- In a salad, such as a Caprese salad or a panzanella

- As part of a grain bowl or with rice

- In a burger

- As halloumi fries

Halloumi cheese is a popular ingredient for vegetarian dishes. Some options for serving grilled halloumi cheese as a vegetarian dish include:

- Grilled halloumi cheese sandwiches or wraps with vegetables and hummus

- Grilled halloumi cheese with rice pilaf or other types of rice

- Grilled halloumi cheese salads

- Halloumi burgers

- Halloumi fries

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