Years ago, I came across Halloumi and fell in love. It is so unique to be able to grill cheese. It doesn’t melt. Instead, it gets golden and even a bit crispy.
Ingredients:
1 block of Halloumi
1 tsp Smoked Paprika
½ tsp Paprika
1 tsp Garlic Powder
½ tsp Thyme (optional)
⅛ tsp Cayenne (optional)
¼ cup Olive Oil
Method:
Combine the olive oil and spices.
Slice the Halloumi into strips. Place in a glass container and cover with the spice & olive oil mixture. Let marinate for an hour or overnight.
When ready to serve, heat up the grill. Place the cheese directly on the grill. Cook for about 2 minutes and then flip over. Cook another 2 minutes. You are looking for good grill marks.
Serve immediately.
This does cook down quickly, but it is good hot or at room temperature.
Notes:
Make sure you use authentic Halloumi. I can find it at my regular grocery store in the fancier cheese section, and seasonally at Trader Joe's (summer).
Don’t use what may be labeled as “grilling cheese.” I’ve tried it and it doesn’t work.
Also, I specifically left salt out of the recipe, because the cheese is salty enough.
Make sure you use a glass dish for marinating and serving because the paprika marinade can stain anything white.
You can just grill the Halloumi without the spice mix. Make sure to coat it with olive oil before putting onto the grill.
