Halloumi isn't just for grilling you know. Here are our favourite ways to enjoy this versatile cheese.
A few years ago, halloumi was a niche food in the UK, but now it's a common household ingredient. It works on the BBQ and it's a staple ingredient in many vegetarian meals. Here's a round-up of some great recipes to use the squeaky, salty, Cyprian cheese.
Crispy halloumi with minty mushy peas
Here's a recipe that offers a vegetarian spin on traditional fish and chips. There's battered halloumi, and if you like deep fried cheese you'll thoroughly enjoy this. The minty mushy peas keep the meal authentic, but you might enjoy a little change every once in a while.
Halloumi, fig and pomegranate salad
The talented Donna Hay has done it again! Her salad incorporates crispy, squeaky salted halloumi which is a great contrast against the sweetness of the pomegranate. This salad is perfect all year around, but we recommend it as a summer salad especially, as the sprinkling of mint gives it a fresh kick.
Courgette and halloumi kebabs with a green tahini dressing
Here's a new way to enjoy the most popular method of cooking halloumi. The Middle Eastern dressing gives the halloumi a little added moisture and really helps the cheese pop. A great side dish to your skewer main would be pomegranate kasha – the fresh herbs and seasoning make it a great BBQ side!
Spice crust halloumi
In this recipe, the sweetness of the fig against the saltiness of the halloumi is the perfect pairing. The fig and pistachio chutney gives an interesting nutiness in comparison to other fruit chutneys. And you can add chilli powder to taste, so the spice is your oyster.
Halloumi with butternut squash, sweet potatoes and chilli
This is the perfect sharing meal! This delicious dish has sweetness from the sweet potato, a spicy kick from the chilli, there's that nutty taste from the squash, and of course the salty, crispy halloumi. Once cooked, it'll be like you're eating in the Med, even if it's raining outside.
Grilled halloumi salad
Huge chunks of halloumi makes this dish even more appealing to a cheese lover and it's incredibly easy to make. Chilli flakes and sun-dried tomatoes give the dish an added piece of Med sunshine.
Grilled marinated halloumi on seeded vegetable ribbons
Vegetarians assemble! This is a fantasic dish where sweet-tasting vegetables compliment the salty halloumi perfectly. The recipe also uses fragrant herbs such as mint and oregano. And with a whole host of vegetables in the mix, you won't be short on your five-a-day.
How do you like to eat halloumi? Let us know in the Comments section below.
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