Easy Bacon Halloumi Bites Recipe | Kitchen Mason (2024)

FAQs

Should you soak halloumi before frying? ›

Why do you soak halloumi before cooking? While completely optional, many swear by this step for a softer, more flavourful, and sweeter result that will set your halloumi apart from all others. The easiest method is to soak the whole block of cheese in cold water for at least two hours (or overnight if you have time).

My halloumi is too tough / rubbery

This can happen when it's cooked for too long in the oven, so next time try a lower cook time or thicker slices. It can also happen when it's been sitting out for too long, or with reheated halloumi.

Don't slice it too thin, otherwise it will fall apart and also be too dry. About 1cm/0.5 inch thick slices are best. We used a crinkle cutter for ours, give give those grill line effects. Put the halloumi in a non-stick frying pan (no oil is needed).

I pre heat the pan for 2mins. Water drops dance on the surface. I add some olive oil (about 2tbsp in a 24cm skillet). Stir it around and let it heat then add my halloumi cheese.

What is halloumi? Originating from Cyprus, halloumi is a semi-hard, un-ripened, brined cheese that can be made from cow, sheep or goat's milk. It can be eaten raw but is truly delicious cooked, having a high melting point, makes it an excellent choice for grilling or frying.

When eaten regularly in large quantities halloumi can be considered unhealthy, as this fried cheese is pretty high in saturated fat and salt. However, when eaten sporadically as part of a balanced diet, halloumi has a range of health benefits, as it's high in calcium and protein.

This is because, unlike many cheeses, halloumi has a high pH, as no starter cultures are used in its production. It seems that when this dense casein network “rubs” against the enamel of the teeth, it produces a squeak. Other cheeses usually have a lower pH, which tends to make the casein more fragile.

Halloumi is made out of sheep's milk, which is more expensive than cow's or goat's milk due to the animal milking production—though nowadays you can also find Halloumi varieties with a mix of these kinds of milk, thus lowering the price of the product.

Stack in style and combine fried slices of halloumi with harissa, red peppers, aubergine and hummus. If you don't fancy quite such a beastly bap, treat fried halloumi as you would a meat patty and top with salad and sauce of your choice, grilled mushrooms, avocado or salsa. Maybe hold the processed cheese slice though.

How do you tell if halloumi cheese is bad? Spoiled halloumi cheese can be easily identified. If the cheese has become slimy or developed a mold, it's time to toss it out. Moreover, a strong sour smell or change in color can also indicate that the cheese is past its prime.

Can you eat halloumi cold the next day? ›

Yes! You can enjoy halloumi slices cold in the salad. So, if you're prepping your lunch before work, you won't need to worry about reheating the cheese for your halloumi salad. Can you eat halloumi raw?

Dogs can consume small amounts of halloumi as a special treat, but it should not be a regular or substantial part of their diet. Halloumi's high fat and salt content make it an unhealthy choice for dogs. Overindulgence in halloumi can lead to various health issues, so moderation is key.

Simply patting the haloumi dry with paper towel will remove some of the saltiness, but you can also place it in a bowl of cold water to remove more of the salt, if you prefer. Just soak for 5 minutes, then pat dry with paper towel – patting dry is important to ensure the lovely golden crispy edges!

Adding extra marinade: I like to brush the kebabs with the spare/extra sauce while they cook. Cooking on a barbecue: Brush or spray them with oil first so they don't stick. Also, leave the cubes slightly bigger so they don't break, or cut the halloumi into long 'fingers' rather than cubes instead.

– eat the halloumi within 5 minutes or so of cooking it – if you leave it to cool, it will become a little more rubbery.

After soaking, remove the halloumi from the water and allow it to drain. It's important to note that while soaking halloumi can help reduce its sodium content to some extent, it won't eliminate it entirely.

How to store halloumi. An unopened packet of halloumi will keep in the fridge for up to a year. Once opened store in salt water in the fridge.

Many people have never tried halloumi that way. That might be because you're not sure whether it's even okay to eat uncooked. Relax, we can verify that yes, halloumi is okay to eat uncooked.

Oil grate well to to avoid sticking. Add halloumi slices to hot oiled grill and BBQ for 1 to 2 minutes until grill marks form and cheese has slightly softened. Flip and repeat on other side. Remove from BBQ and enjoy immediately while hot.