A simple recipe for Greek Style fried halloumi cheese with lemon and olives
This recipe pairs fried halloumi with lemon, olives and fresh basil. The recipe is from World Vegetarian Classics by Celia Brooks Brown.
World Vegetarian Classics
Following my rant about this being:
"A real bible for vegetarians!"
and
"The best vegetarian cookbook I have every read!",
What could I do but try out a couple of the recipes and share them with you. Today I am sharing Saganaki Fried Cheese.
halloumi cheese, fried halloumi, Greek halloumi recipe, Cypriot halloumi recipe, halloumi
starter, appetizer
Greek, Cypriot, vegetarian
Yield: 4
Saganaki Fried Halloumi Cheese
A simple recipe for Greek Style fried halloumi cheese with lemon and olives.
prep time: 5 minscook time: 10 minstotal time: 15 mins
ingredients
- 250g Halloumi Cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- juice of 1/2 large lemon
- handful of fresh oregano leaves
- 12 black Kalamata olives in oil, drain, remove stones and halve.
- pared yest of 1/2 lemon, chopped
- freshly ground black pepper
instructions
- Slice the cheese into 5mm slices, lengthwise.
- Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat. Fry the cheese until golden underneath, then use tongs to turn the cheese over and cook until golden.
- Squeeze the lemon juice over the cheese while it's frying.
- Place the cheese on warmed plates, scatter over the fresh herbs, olives, lemon zest and season with black pepper.
- Serve immediately.
- Enjoy!
calories
353
353
fat (grams)
30.7
30.7
sat. fat (grams)
8.7
8.7
carbs (grams)
5
5
protein (grams)
15.2
15.2
sugar (grams)
1.4
1.4
Created using The Recipes Generator
I was off to a good start with this one, as I love Halloumi cheese and I had some in the fridge.
I swapped the oregano for basil, which I prefer and left out the olives. I don't know what it is about olives, I just can't get a taste for them! The strange thing is that I do love olive oil, go figure!
When you make the recipe, you can try my version or if you like olives, do try the recipe above.
This dish was simple and delicious! I couldn't believe the difference the lemon juice and zest made to the Halloumi. The cheese was soft and chewy on the inside and crisp on the outside, there was the tangy lemon, the bite of the pepper and an occasional drift of basil!
I'll definitely return to this dish!
8/10
I love Halloumi cheese. There use to be a local restuarant who's speciality was halloumi kebabs, unfortunately it has closed down and I was never able to replicate the kebab.
ReplyDeleteI love Saganaki cheese. I've had it in a few Greek restaurants where they light it on fire. I do think the Kalamata olives would be great with the cheese!
ReplyDeleteNot know what halloumi cheese is like, can you tell me is it a mild cheese or strong? I assume it is hard or you would not be able to slice and fry. It sounds and looks awesome! I am not a cooked olive person either. I like them cool and out of the jar, but that is about it. Nice Photo!
ReplyDeleteThat looks delicious! Seems we like many of the same foods, as you have posted a few recipes here that I plan to try. I've added you to my blogroll, as I am very much looking forward to your upcoming creations.
ReplyDeleteKaylyn,
ReplyDeleteI have made the decision to give olives another go. The comments on your site were so persuasive about Kalamata olives, that I feel like I am missing out!
Winedeb,
I would say that halloumi cheese has the texture of chicken and while I don't crave that taste, it is always good to have another texture to your meal and It is cheese!
Lisa,
I have enjoyed your blog , it is on my favourite list, the raspberry cornmeal muffins look great!
Mmmm, Halloumi.
ReplyDeleteIt was indeed very tasty, the grated lemon sometimes confused me into thinking i was having a dessert though. so i definetely think we should have it again so i can get my mind straight out about it. several times would be beneficial to this process of course :)
That looks delicious. Such a good idea, trying out recipes and posting the results! Keep those mouthwatering pictures coming...
ReplyDeleteHi! Thanks for coming by my blog! In answer to your question we are moving to Edinburgh. We used to live there before moving to California. Can’t wait to get back! Whereabouts in Scotland are you? It’s so nice to meet another Scottish veggie blogger...I don’t think there are many of us around! Your blog looks lovely...I have just had a little browse through. I also never had any of my pictures show on Take Hart...boo hoo!! I have been looking at the monkey web site...it’s so adorable...I love it!! I may spend hours reading all his recipes!!
ReplyDeleteHi Scottishvegan,
ReplyDeleteWelcome to my blog! Glad you like it! I am based in Dundee, not too far from Edinburgh!
It's great news that you are moving to Edinburgh, it is my favourite Scottish City! Although it will be sad to leave your friends behind.
You should head over to Adventures of a Veggie Lady . Laura lives in Edinburgh and posts a lot of good reviews on restaurants and shops in Edinburgh. You may pick up some good tips!
Good luck with the move!
Me again! I used to go to Broughty Ferry on my holidays as a kid (very exotic) and my husband lived in Dundee for a while before we were married so I’ve been to Dundee many times. I’m sure it’s probably changed a lot since I was last there! Thanks for the info on Laura’s blog…I will take a look! Have you checked out Lelly’s Vegan Kitchen (http://lellyskitchen.blogspot.com/index.html)? She’s also in Dundee.
ReplyDeleteBroughty Ferry is a nice place to be, I was lucky enough (well lots of weddling on my part) to live there when I was a student. It was great living by the beach and you must remember the ice cream shop!
ReplyDeleteI haven't checked out Lelly's blog, I'll have a look!
Oh, I'm totally devoted to halloumi, it's really addictive, don't you think? This recipe sounds delicios!
ReplyDeletePia K
ReplyDeleteYou are right Halloumi is addictive, but then I find all cheese addictive, more's the pity!
I adore halloumi cheese! I almost bought some yesterday at the store, now I wish I had. I just bought a Celia Brooks Brown cook book - low carb vegetarian -, but I haven't made anything out of it yet.
ReplyDeleteSara, let me know how you get on with that cookbook, I am a Celia Brooks Brown convert now!
ReplyDelete