Agency and salty, Halloumi cheese is greatest when cooked and might stand as much as numerous preparations, from grilling to frying. This white cheese originated on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, and is historically made with sheep’s milk, although you’ll additionally discover cow’s and goat’s milk variations, or ones which might be made with a mixture.
Halloumi is extraordinarily widespread in Europe, notably within the U.Okay., the place it’s the number-one imported cheese. Though a lot of the Halloumi within the U.S. can be imported, there are a number of American producers like Yaya’s Cheese in Boise, Idaho.
Halloumi has a salty and milky taste, considerably like feta — however it might be most well-known for its excessive melting level and skill to carry its form when grilled or seared. “It develops a lovely caramelized outer crust and a squishy, squeaky inside,” says cookbook writer and former F&W restaurant editor Khushbu Shah.
“This distinctive texture makes it extremely versatile. Grilled Halloumi cubes, which act as salty ‘croutons,’ are my favourite strategy to elevate any salad,” says Shah. “They’re additionally satisfying threaded onto skewers with greens, and so they make a terrific filling for tacos or a topping for focaccia. Or lower the cheese into slabs, then cook dinner them and stuff them right into a sandwich — Halloumi works notably effectively in a vegetarian riff on a BLT or seared with scorching honey for Mediterranean-inspired Sizzling Honey Halloumi Sliders.”
Learn on for extra concepts on easy methods to use this versatile cheese.
Grilled Halloumi Burgers with Citrus Tapenade
Halloumi develops a charred crust that yields to tender cheese inside when it is grilled or sautéed. Make it the centerpiece of a vegetarian burger, seasoning with cumin, salt, and pepper. High with a citrusy olive tapenade and crushed purple pepper flakes for tang and warmth.
Greek Kale Salad with Fried Halloumi
Add crispy halloumi cheese, kalamata olives, and a spicy Mediterranean dressing to basic Greek salad for a piquant, hearty variation from Marve McClain.
Citrus, Beet, and Arugula Salad with Halloumi Croutons
Adeena Sussman elevates a peppery arugula salad to special day standing in 35 minutes with crispy halloumi croutons, blended citrus, and jewel-toned roasted beets.
Sizzling Honey Halloumi Sliders
Sandwich Calabrian chile–marinated Halloumi, peppery arugula, and roasted purple peppers between Hawaiian rolls for these shiny, punchy, spicy, and fruity sliders.
Saganaki Halloumi (Cypriot Fried Halloumi)
Fry halloumi cheese in clarified butter, then brush in a spiced honey and serve with lemon yogurt, brandy-basted nectarines, and recent tomatoes for a candy and savory appetizer from Christian Hernandez, chef de delicacies of March in Houston.
Halloumi Schnitzel Salad
Items of crunchy, gooey fried halloumi improve this salad to an irresistible important course in an hour.
Halloumi-and-Vegetable Skewers with Pomegranate-Tahini Sauce
Marinate halloumi and greens in an earthy, punchy, candy pomegranate-tahini marinade with recent orange juice for a pleasing depth of taste.
Mango-and-Halloumi Fritto Misto
F&W’s Justin Chapple kinds a lightweight however dippable crust on sturdy halloumi and agency mangoes with a batter of fizzy membership soda, flour, and cornstarch for this cheese and fruit blended fry.