For those who’re like most Individuals, you’re keen on cheese. (I do know I do.) We sprinkle it on pasta, soften it over meats, and toss it in salads. How usually, although, does it get to be the meal’s foremost attraction? The reply — once more, in the event you’re like most Individuals — isn’t.
Enter halloumi, a agency cheese constructed from goat, cow, or sheep milk, that appears like a block of tofu and has a texture and style just like mozzarella. For those who’ve by no means tried it, you’ll be amazed at how seamlessly it replaces rooster or fish in a meal. It doesn’t style like meat, however it’s heartiness makes it an acceptable substitute. In contrast to many different cheeses, halloumi doesn’t get gooey when cooked; plus, because of its excessive melting level, it may be fried or grilled for optimum enjoyment. Listed here are some straightforward methods to let this wildly versatile cheese play a starring function in your dinner.
How did halloumi get common?
Lately, Halloumi has turn into increasingly popular within the US, maybe because of a rising curiosity in meat substitutes — however it first turned well-known as an export to the UK from Cyprus. In 2013, the BBC famous that “halloumi has made a basic British culinary journey from ethnic speciality to commonplace merchandise.” As we speak, the UK is the largest importer of halloumi on the earth, and whereas Individuals might not be fairly as halloumi-obsessed because the Brits, this cheese’s profile is rising, with world halloumi gross sales anticipated to top $900 million by 2030. Market research credit the rising presence of European vacationers within the US because the probably supply of our curiosity in halloumi, and predicts will probably be get extra common stateside in years to come back.
Well being Advantages of Halloumi
As already famous, halloumi has Cypriot origins. Though it’s often constructed from goat, sheep, or cow’s milk, it’s not the type of cheese you’d placed on a cheese board. TheSpruceEats.com describes it as “plain and considerably rubbery with salty notes.” Nevertheless, when you roast it in a pan, in your oven, and even on a grill, “it turns into superbly crispy and savory on the skin and sensually melted on the within, just like the consistency of a marshmallow when toasted.”
Cheese with the consistency of a marshmallow could sound decadent, however that doesn’t imply that halloumi is void of health benefits. It’s wealthy in calcium and protein, which implies it could assist maintain you fuller for longer. The truth that it’s one of many few cheeses that can be utilized as a meat alternative can also be a significant plus. You’ve heard of a cheeseburger — however what a couple of burger made, actually, out of cheese? The place a traditional cheeseburger can have as much as 865 energy, a halloumi burger has a mere 455. Simply remember that whereas halloumi has good dietary worth (and is a wonderful alternative for anybody following a Mediterranean diet), it’s high in sodium and fat, like many cheeses.
How To Put together Halloumi
Halloumi is easy to arrange. Fry it in olive oil to attract out its mellow taste or grill it for 2 to a few minutes per aspect. It can be made within the oven (hiya, sheet pan dinners), and whereas recipes range, the fundamental suggestion is that you simply bake it at 350 levels Fahrenheit for 10 to fifteen minutes.
Regardless of the way you prepare dinner it, halloumi will tackle a golden brown tint and preserve its structural integrity, with a chewy however barely crisp — relatively than melty — texture. This distinctive texture is usually described as “squeaky.” The so-called squeak is the results of the protein clumps inside the cheese rubbing towards your enamel. Listed here are a few of our favourite methods to arrange it.
- Sandwiches. Halloumi’s firmness and savory taste make it a sandwich MVP. Attempt a Seared Halloumi Sandwich on Focaccia With Roasted Vegetables and Fuji Apple Salad — the fruit and eggplant herald surprising flavors, and the comforting focaccia bread holds the entire thing collectively. Like mozzarella, halloumi pairs properly with roasted peppers, tomato, and pesto, so a Halloumi Sandwich With Veggies and Pesto is another choice value making an attempt. You can even dip your cheese in flour to make an addictively crispy burger.
- Salads. Boost your caprese by swapping mozzarella for halloumi, or combine fried halloumi with walnuts and figs for a salad that’s each candy and savory. You can even combine halloumi with different vegetarian staples like avocado and chickpeas to create a salad dish that’s surprisingly filling.
- One-pan. As a result of halloumi can’t actually be overcooked or undercooked like meat or fish, it’s a high candidate for a one-pan meal. Throw some halloumi and veggies on a pan, put it within the oven, and dinner is ready earlier than it. Sheet Pan Halloumi Fajitas could sound uncommon, for the reason that cheese is often related to Mediterranean meals — however this recipe gives a satisfying tackle the Mexican basic. A Warm Winter Vegetable Salad With Halloumi roasted on a sheet pan is a cold evening different to chowing down on carbs. And Sheet Pan Halloumi and Vegetables is one other easy meal that’s extra hearty than you’d anticipate.
Sheet Pan Halloumi Meal for Two
In terms of making ready a halloumi meal, this recipe from AllRecipes.com is a simple place to begin. (Many variations on this sheet pan halloumi formulation will be discovered on-line.) Whereas it requires a selected number of veggies, be at liberty to experiment with totally different mixtures, relying in your temper.
Substances (Serves 2):
- 14 ounces butternut squash, reduce into ¾ inch slices
- 8 ounces halloumi cheese, sliced into 6 slices
- 1 giant purple bell pepper, reduce into 1-inch rounds
- 6 giant radishes, halved
- 1 medium purple onion, reduce into wedges and layers separated
- 14 giant black olives
- 1 serrano chile pepper
- 2 teaspoons za’atar
- 1 teaspoon floor turmeric
- ½ teaspoon dried mint
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 425 levels Fahrenheit. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix first seven components in giant bowl. Sprinkle za’atar, turmeric, and dried mint over greens; combine to coat. Drizzle oil over every thing and toss to mix. Unfold greens in a single layer on ready baking sheet.
- Roast in preheated oven till halloumi is brown and bubbly and greens have softened and browned, or about 18 minutes.
Regardless of how you find yourself serving your halloumi, we expect this easy-to-cook, impossible-to-melt cheese is value including to your weeknight dinner rotation. Bon appétit!
