Easy Pan Fried Halloumi Cheese

Halloumi cheese may be the one Syrian cheese that I could not live without and I don't want you to either. If you've never heard of halloumi, it is a semi-hard, unripened cheese made from a mixture of goat's and sheep's milk. It's great to sear or grill and add onto sandwiches or salads. It's an excellent source of calcium and protein, so for all of my vegetarians who find it difficult to get protein in their diet, halloumi can be a great option.

Yes, it is high in fat, but that is why we always eat in moderation and include a variety of foods into our diets! All foods can fit in your diet. Preparing halloumi cheese takes less than 10 minutes of your time and you can save some for later if you'd like!

Let's say you choose to make a salad with halloumi cheese:

Add a base of greens for fiber

Add a filling carb source for energy like quinoa, sweet potato, couscous

Add vegetables for micronutrients and more fiber like eggplant, cucumber, tomato, zucchini, mushrooms, etc

If you want more protein add legumes like chickpeas, lentils, or red kidney beans

Add a vinaigrette of choice

You just built a balanced and nutritious salad using halloumi cheese!

Let's say you choose to make a sandwich with halloumi cheese:

Add a spread of choice for healthy fats/protein like hummus, avocado, etc.

Add a base of greens for fiber

Add vegetables for micronutrients and more fiber like eggplant, cucumber, tomato, bell pepper, mushrooms, etc

If you want to add more protein, eggs pair well with halloumi cheese.

You just built a balanced and nutritious sandwich using halloumi cheese!

Yields: 1-3

Prep time: 5 minutes

Total time: 10 minutes

This recipe is gluten free and vegetarian.

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Ingredients:

Halloumi cheese of choice

½ lemon

Extra virgin olive oil

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Instructions:

1.First, grab your halloumi cheese of choice and thinly slice into multiple pieces as shown above.

2. Dry the halloumi cheese slices by blotting them with a paper towel.

3. Grab a frying pan and pour in less than 1 TBSP of olive oil into the pan on high heat. Make sure the olive oil is evenly spread in the pan.

4. Add each piece of halloumi cheese. Allow them to simmer on high for 1 ½ minutes each side.

5. Sear until the cheese develops a medium-dark brown crust.

6. Remove from pan and serve the way you'd like. Some choose to plate the halloumi cheese as a Mezze (small dish to share). If you do, squeeze on the juice of ½ lemon onto the cheese.

7. Enjoy!

I hope you love this recipe as much as I did, so if you do, please leave me a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I always read through my suggestions and comments, so please let me know your thoughts. If you have any questions you can feel free to DM me here or through Instagram. Speaking of Instagram - please tag me in all of your creations! I love seeing how the recipes come out and seeing how talented you all are. Sending my love.

xoxo,

Jasmin D the RD