Grilled halloumi cheese

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Cyprus is famous not only for its wonderful ancient history, historical monuments and unique culture. No less interesting for culinary specialists from all over the world is the cuisine of Cyprus. It has an equally ancient history and many delicious dishes and products. Among them is halloumi cheese, patented and recognized as national pride and one of the symbols of the country. By the way, the authenticity of the product was recorded quite recently, in 1999. Nevertheless, this does not make the recipe less ancient, which came to us from the depths of millennia.

Cypriot haloumi cheese

It is cooked almost everywhere on the island. And on an industrial scale, and in small villages for home consumption. And in every village, probably, there is a master - a connoisseur of ancient recipes and traditions. We can say that the cuisine of Cyprus (more precisely, many of its dishes) is based on one of the cornerstones - the famous cheese.

Ancient group of cheeses

Product of national pride belongs to the brine group, one of the mostancient in the world. Halloumi cheese is prepared from goat's and sheep's milk (adding small doses of cow's). Each artisanal cheese-maker uses a certain ratio of types of milk and the amount of s alt, as a result of which in different areas of the country it may vary slightly in taste. But this does not affect its highest quality. It is he althy and tasty, has a snow-white hue, interspersed with mint leaves. It has a layered dense structure. Stored in brine (s alted whey, in which it was prepared). Halloumi cheese does not dry out and become hard, but at the same time it does not become saturated with brine and will not be unnecessarily soft. The main feature is the addition of mint leaves, crushed and dried. It has a characteristic pleasant aroma and taste creamy with sharp notes and s alty.

How do they eat?

There are several ways to prepare dishes from this fermented milk product in Cyprus. Well, firstly, you can eat it raw, cut into pieces with pleasure. Secondly, these are salads with vegetables. Halloumi cheese is traditionally added to them. And most importantly, it can be baked on the grill, processed thermally. This is how this cheese is served in Cypriot taverns, and the locals use it at the meal. Let's try and cook?

Grilled cheese

Halumi, as it were, is intended by nature itself for such a recipe, as it is very juicy, dries out slightly and is fried, seizing with a golden crust, and does not melt all. At the same time, the cheese remains juicy inside. In general, it looks goodcooked kebab (cheese only), when the meat inside is juicy, but not raw, and is seized on top by the rudiness of the crust.

Cooking recipe

Haloumi cheese is refractory so perfect for grilling. Although what work is a pleasure! And the taste is specific, as the classic of humor used to say. Roasting halloumi is probably one of the best ways to make a mouth-watering juicy appetizer or light dinner. And on a picnic with the participation of this fermented milk product, you can have a great time.

We will need: half a kilo of the Cypriot miracle (if the company is large, then you can overpower a kilogram), fresh lavash or a baguette, vegetables. That's all the ingredients for a hearty snack.

1. First, heat up the grill properly using coals. The heat must be excellent, and the coals must not burn, so as not to burn the dish. But it cooks quickly, so the appropriate temperature is needed.
2. Cheese from Cyprus is cut into convenient pieces (considerable and rather thick - up to 1 cm in thickness). You can draw an analogy with cutlets in terms of size. And we need the thickness so that the inside of the fried halloumi remains juicy.
3. Put the pieces on the grill and fry on both sides for a few minutes each. As soon as the characteristic “blush” appears, we turn it over so that the product does not burn. Ideally, the whole process happens very, very quickly: one, two - and a delicious dish is ready!

Well, under a good and juicy cheese, you can serve fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, herbs, or combine everything into a salad. Or aton the same grill, bake also vegetables on the grill - everything will do. As an addition - a fresh baguette or pita bread. A good and appropriate bonus to a meal in nature or at home is a bottle of wine and a friendly conversation. Bon appetit to you all!