Halloumi Cheese

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What Is Halloumi?

Halloumi is a traditional cheese from Cyprus, the island in the Mediterranean Sea.

Halloumi has a higher melting point than other cheese what makes it suitable for frying and grilling. You almost won't find any BBQ in Cyprus without the use of halloumi.

It is also very common in warm months, to eat halloumi together with watermelon. The juicy slices of the watermelon are quite refreshing while the slices of halloumi give the delicious taste.

Halloumi is also one of the dishes that are usually served within a Cyprus Meze and very often you also will see a few slices of halloumi accompanying a cold beer ordered in a taverna.

Thank You For The LOTD 

Thank you guys, to make Halloumi Cheese LOTD for November, 16th. I am very surprised and also excited about it.
But before you read on and find out about Halloumi, I would like to ask you to pay attention to a very serious subject as well.

About Halloumi 

What is halloumi and where does it come from?

Halloumi is a local cheese from Cyprus and the East Mediterranean. Traditionally it was made just from sheep's and goat's milk. Nowadays it might contain some cow's milk as well.

These days industrial poduced halloumi contains more cow's milk than milk from sheep and goat. This reduces the cost but also has an influence on the taste as well as on the grilling effect of halloumi.

The white cheese has a characteristic layered texture and a salty flavour, which comes from the brine that is used for preservation.
Very often you will find the halloumi garnished with mint. Mint doesn't just add to the taste. Traditionally it was used as a kind of preservation cause of its anti-bacterial effect.

Grilled Halloumi Cheese

Halloumi or Hallomi? 

Halloumi is produced worldwide nowadays, although its origin is in Cyprus and the East Mediterranean. Within the US halloumi is registered as a protected cypriot product. The reason for not being registered within the EU is to find in a dispute between dairy producers and sheep and goat farmers about the percentage of cow's milk allowed to be used, if any.
In Canada halloumi is registered as hallomi without the 'u' cause of a difference with a local dairy producer.

Sandwich With Halloumi 

Fast and easy to prepare but yummy in taste.

Ingredients
¼ onion
3 teaspoons olive oil
4 slices halloumi cheese
1 pita bread
½ tomato
some lemon juice

Preparation
Fry one quarter of an onion in a fry pan with two teaspoons of olive oil until slightly coloured. Take the onion from the heat and put aside. Cut 4 slices of halloumi cheese and fry in the pan with one teaspoon of olive oil accoring to your taste until golden or brown and crispy.

Open one pita bread at one side and place the halloumi slices into the pita bread and squeeze some lemon juice over the fried cheese slices. Put half tomato in slices and the onions on top of the cheese and close the pita bread.

Put the filled pita bread into a toaster and toast as usual until bread is golden brown.

Serve the traditional cyprus sandwich together with some fresh salad and a handful of black olives.

You can vary this recipe according your taste and put any other vegetable than tomato. Try olives or lettuce for example.

Tip: The sandwich gets much more tasty when you grill the halloumi in traditional way on open fire instead of using a fry pan.

Halloumi With Pomegranate 

Another tasty combination is grilled halloumi with pomegranate and mint. It looks so delicious, don't you think so?

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Different Ways of Preparing Halloumi 

Halloumi Cheese by piedromolinero

Fried Halloumi Cheese

Grilling Halloumi by Harris Graber

Fried halloumi

Teriyakimarinerad halloumi med couscous by Pernilla Lindquist

Fried halloumi with couscous

halloumi kebabs by markdrasutis

Halloumi Kebab

Halloumi and Beets Winter Tickle by Simon Collison

Halloumi with beets

Ha Ha Halloumi ! by Aapplemint

Halloumi wrapped in peppers

halloumi by KellyKorv

Fried halloumi

spinach & halloumi pies by hellhouse

Halloumi pie

Sunday Dinner by visionthing64

Grilled halloumi with roast mixed vegetables

Meal for One: Day 9 by ghetto of our mind

Pan-fried halloumi with chili-honey dressing

tasty flower in situ by only alice

Fried halloumi with lemon juice

Halloumi with Lime ready for the BBQ by Niamheen

Halloumi prepared for BBQ

Recipes with Halloumi 

Traditional Cyprus Sandwich with Halloumi
The Traditional Cyprus Sandwich which you will find everywhere in Cyprus.
Grilled Halloumi with caramelized Fennel
Each bite is true bliss. Warm cheese, a hint of aniseed, lemon, extra virgin olive oil and the earthiness of parsley. Mmmm. Hope you enjoy!
Meat Loaf, with halloumi and vegetables
A different stuffing for meatloaf using halloumi. This will reslut in a very tasty meatloaf for sure.
Grilled Halloumi with oozing Egg and Mint
Four ingredients combine to make a meal fit for a queen. I am happy to wear the crown!
Peri-Peri Grilled Halloumi & Portobella Pita with Chilli Jam
Spicy peri-peri on grilled lemony Halloumi...what can I say :)

Ready To Try? 

If you want to give Halloumi a try, you don't need to go on vacation to Cyprus or the East Mediterranean Sea. Halloumi can be bought almost everywhere nowadays. In case it is not available in your grocery shop you can always order Halloumi online.

Halloumi needs to be grilled 

Halloumi has a higher melting point than normal cheese. This makes it a proper cheese for frying and grilling. However, best taste you will get when preparing halloumi on an open fire instead of in a fry pan. I would even recommend a charcoal grill for best results.

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Your Feedback 

AppalachianCountry wrote...

Great lens. We have never tried this cheese, but what to with the meatloaf. Thank-you for the tip.

ReplyPosted May 24, 2009

susannaduffy wrote...

I always liked this lens. I came back for another look at the recipe with pomegranate after coming home from the market with my basket weighed down with halloumi

ReplyPosted March 20, 2009

papawu wrote...

Man that grilled Hallouumi is just calling my name. Very tasty lens that has me craving CHEESE!

ReplyPosted January 22, 2009

tandemonimom wrote...

I am ALWAYS up for trying new cheese, and this one looks delicious! Please join the new Real Food, Real Living group on Squidoo!

ReplyPosted December 31, 2008

jdpugsle wrote...

Exceptional lens pmolinero! You really put your heart & soul into it. You only get what you can give. Congradulations on LOTD! Keep rocking & rolling. I really liked your lens.

Best regards,
jdpugsle

ReplyPosted December 01, 2008

 
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by pmolinero

When not being busy with main job I enjoy gardening and giving several Gardening Tips and Landscaping Tips on my blog.

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