Updated post.
What did the cheese say to itself in the mirror?
Halloumi
So now we’ve got the Dad joke out the way (and it really is my Dad’s joke), it’s once again time to let a simple but delicious recipe shine!
This one stars one of my all time favourite if not the only squeaky cheese I know: Halloumi.
Being of Greek Cypriot heritage, halloumi has been a staple part of my diet from a young age, it has a completely unique taste like no other cheese and I love the juxtaposition of the slightly gooey centre against the golden brown crust when grilled.
As a child it wasn’t readily available at supermarkets, my brother and I would enjoy it at our parents’ restaurants or get it from a wholesalers. How times have changed, now it’s in every supermarket and grocers too.
I try to eat as much vegetarian food as possible, saving meat for special occasions which is better for my own health and the environment too.
I don’t eat wheat a lot but I like to make an exception for rye bread, it’s low GI and this is a a tasty, filling summery lunch.
This dish is just bursting with flavour with the spiciness of the fresh chillies working perfectly with the tangy yet creamy cheese, finished with a sharp, slightly sharp balsamic reduction.
It literally is a taste sensation. And what’s more it’s super easy to make. I rustled these up, while my husband Peter photographed-this is what our kitchen looks like most lunchtimes!
Even the balsamic reduction is simple to make – taking less than 10 minutes. I tend to make a whole bottle up in advance which then lasts me for a few weeks.
The recipe is below and don’t forget to link up your own recipes for this week’s Tasty Tuesdays too. You guys have been rocking my kitchen recently with your fab concoctions.
Keep them coming please!
Ingredients (for 4 slices)
For the balsamic reduction
- 250ml of Modena balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of an unrefined sweetener, I use honey but you could also use coconut sugar or maple syrup.
For the open sandwiches
- 200g of good quality halloumi cheese, sliced.
- 4 slices of rye bread or gluten free bread
- A handful of garden leaves
- 2 large salad tomatoes, sliced
- 2 fresh chillis, de-seeded and sliced
- A handful of fresh chives, diced
- a sprig of fresh coriander.
Method
Start by making the balsamic reduction by adding vinegar and honey to a medium sized pan. Bring to a simmer over a medium high heat then adjust to a low heat for around 10-15 minutes whilst the liquid thickens and reduces.
Keep an eye on the syrup – you don’t want it to burn. Reduce until you reach your desired thickness and then store in a glass bottle.
For the open sandwiches, start off my heating the grill. Line a baking tray with foil and place on your halloumi slices. Grill until golden brown – which should take around 3-4 minutes.
Lightly toast your bread and then top with leaves, tomatoes, halloumi, chilli and chives.
Drizzle a generous helping of balsamic.
Finish off with a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper and the coriander leaf as garnish.
I love balsamic vinegar, your meal looks delicious!
Tadej recently posted…The Best Propane Grill Under 500 Dollars – Easy And Fun Grilling
Thank you!
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It look amazing Vicki! Totally my kind of lunch. I love the fact you shared a little ‘behind the scenes too.’ I’m always curious about people’s set-ups. Those herbs look so good too! Mine always look a bit sad 🙂 x
Thank Mel, love watching P at work. I cook and he shoots! This is an updated post from last year I wanted to reshare x
[…] Open Grilled Halloumi Sandwich With Balsamic Reduction (via Honest […]
That looks absolutely delicious. And simple, and healthy…
sua may lanh recently posted…Nguyên nhân và biện pháp sửa một số bệnh hay gặp máy nước nóng
Another fantastic Linky with excellent recipes and posts, really enjoyable read #TastyTuesdays
Wheelie Good Meals recently posted…Are you Ready, Steady… Then Let’s Cook Some Mystery Bag Meals
Thanks so much Richard 🙂
oh yeah, come to mama 😉 I LOVE halloumi cheese and your dad’s joke lol x
jenny paulin recently posted…Black Forest Brownies (#GBBOBloggers2015)
This looks absolutely divine and I’m in a real aubergine phase at the moment too!!
International Elf Service recently posted…Homemade Popcorn Cones!
Enjoy lovely x
These look just gorgeous and your photography is stunning. I have some Halloumi in the fridge, I now know what we’re having for lunch tomorrow!
Yay! Thank you and enjoy 🙂
ooooo I need some of those white background screens – looks lovely x
So useful 🙂
Oh this looks and sounds gorgeous! All of your yummy recipes, I think this might be my fave. All ingredients have been added to my weekend shopping list x
Rachel @ The Ordinary Lovely recently posted…Jam-tastic: the picking
Oh Rachel, thank you, we absolutely love it here, so simply but tasty, enjoy sweetie x
This looks delicious! I’ve never tried halloumi before. Love seeing the set up for you photos. Think I need to try and give that a go myself! 😉
Maria @ Surburban Mum recently posted…Beef Bourguignon
Thanks Maria, I ended up making it last night after posting it as it made me so hungry! Halloumi is such a versatile, delicious cheese xx
Halloumi still tastes like a treat to me even though you can get it easily these days. I’d never tried it till I moved to London 16 years ago, and our local Turkish shop sold it as their special lunchtime sandwich. Yum! Fond memories.
Nell@PigeonPairandMe.com recently posted…How to take perfect family holiday photos
Oh so glad it’s brought back memories, I love it still feels like a treat and I adore how food can instantly transport you back in time too, it’s so emotive xx
Your sandwich looks delicious. But can I own up to usually eating open sandwiches with a fork and knife. Crazy I know, but otherwise I seem to lose the topping
Yet Another Blogging Mummy!!! recently posted…Summer recipes with Lee Kum Kee Chinese sauces
Haha don’t tell anyone but me too! Yay! x
Sounds delish! X
Thanks very much! x
Wow that looks so good! I love the vibrant colours x
Emma’s Mamma recently posted…Paying it forward – The Liebster Award
Thanks Emma x
This looks so tasty. To be honest I’ve never heard of halloumi before. (I lead a rather bland/sheltered life). Its definitely something I’ll keep an eye out for next time I’m out shopping 🙂
Thanks for hosting. Its been a while since I’ve linked up
xxx
Sarah-Jane recently posted…Cookie Dough Brownies
So glad the post has introduced you to it, hope you love it as much as we do x
Love hulloumi! Finn calls it “squeaky cheese” and loves it too, probably due to the saltiness. It is def one of my favourite things on a BBQ. Will def be giving this a sandwich a try. Lovely photos 🙂
Yes we call it that here too, it really is squeaky as well! So happy you enjoyed the post, thanks for your comment 🙂
My husband loves halloumi but I’ve never tried it. I think I’m afraid of cooking it at home in case the kids don’t like it.
Ness recently posted…Broad bean and bacon risotto
My kids adore it, try it, sure you will all enjoy it and you don’t have to cook it all, keeps in water and a bowl with celophane on top in the fridge rather like mozzarella x
This looks fab! I only really eat halloumi when abroad but I really should buy some x
Ooh go get some, so quick and easy x
Oooh Vicki I want one of these for my lunch! Looks lovely x
Kirsty Hijacked By Twins recently posted…Greener Cleaner – Review and Giveaway
Thanks darling, makes a lovely lunch x
Love Halloumi. Love balsamic. Love this recipe xx
Rachael A recently posted…The Man Made Food………{Greek Style Lemon Chicken & Rice}
Aw thanks so much Rachael x
Halloumi is one of my favourite meals! I like mine on olive bread, with spinach and rocket. So simple but delicious.
That joke is so rubbish that I actually laughed out loud. I love it!
Amber recently posted…Win a Beanbag from Beanbag Planet
Oh wow what a combo, yes, yes and yes! Bahaha, it is so utterly rubbish but hilarious isn’t it x
Hehe I am so going to tell my husband that joke tonight. He thinks I have a terrible sense of humour. That looks so nice, I love halloumi and chillies and that combination looks fantastic!
Bahaha, love it! Thanks lovely, I could literally (and often do) eat chillies with everything x
I LOVE halloumi – can never get enough of it. It’s perfect on the BBQ too. This sandwich sounds absolutely incredible – can’t wait to try it. #tastytuesdays
Mandy recently posted…Indian-spiced sweetcorn fritters
OOh thanks Mandy and we love it on the barbie too, such a versatile, delicious cheese isn’t it x
Sob, sob, sob…..sob some more! For some ridiculous reason halloumi seems to not exist here in Ibiza and oh how I miss it. But i WILL be making this the moment I get back to the UK. Thank you for sharing looks beautiful x
Nooo! Can I send you some?! So glad you like it x
Ooh, this looks SO good. I love halloumi and you’ve paired it with some of my favourite flavours – chilli, coriander, chives… what’s not to love. I shall be trying this very soon. Thanks for sharing x
Ebabee recently posted…Fashionable sunnies and pretty sunflowers
Thanks gorgeous, so glad you like it xx
I literally had this in salad form yesterday! It’s so damn good! Haloumi is one of my fave cheeses. Gee nearly speaking we are paleo’a but evey now and again I have to make room and allowance for haloumi! Think I’ll probably link up with your linky! X
Hannah recently posted…One of those weekends that you really need
Love it and a little bit of halloumi makes a whole lot of happiness right x
Wow this looks delicious! I love halloumi so much…being off dairy at the moment is a real pain. I can’t wait to enjoy it again some day! This will be on my list of things to make.
Vicki Montague – The Free From Fairy recently posted…Introducing…Gluten Free B & A Gluten-free Malt Loaf!
Thanks darling, hope you are feeling wonderful though, I really enjoyed my vegan break x
I have this kind of sandwich quite often – I absolutely LOVE halloumi! As a vegetarian it’s a great alternative to meat too 🙂
Helen x
http://treasureeverymoment01.blogspot.co.uk/
I’ve linked up (My very first Tasty Tuesdays, yay). That sandwich looks gorgeous. I love halloumi, and we don’t have it nearly often enough for my liking. Thank you for showing the photography set up too: it’s very interesting to see as I’ve only just started trying to improve my photography.
Alison recently posted…August List Challenge: Day 3 – Favourite Biscuits
Thanks Alison, so glad you’ve joined in, we turn our kitchen into a little film shoot here x
Looks delicious! I adore halloumi; but I cant leave without this joke to add to your collections. Which cheese should you use to get a bear from his cage? Camembert. This had me in stitches last Christmas when it came out the cracker! Small things 🙂
Jemma Chambers recently posted…Our Home – Woody’s Room
Bahah! LOVE THAT, it tops my joke too, will save that for a future Camembert post! It really is the little things, thank you xx
What a lovely healthy and tasty sandwich! I love halloumi but haven’t bought any for a while. IT’s made me want to go out and get some!
Corina recently posted…Buttery Samphire with Garlic and Lemon
Ooh enjoy Corina, we all deserve some halloumi in our lives 😉
Oh this looks absolutely heavenly and sounds so delicious. I have never had halloumi but know people that absolutely love it. Will have to try this for lunch one day. Thanks for hosting my lovely.
Jenny recently posted…Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Almond Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Thanks Jenny, think you would love it!
Vicki, I love the joke! I giggled to myself, let your dad know! I have never heard of Halloumi cheese. I love cheese, I’m going to look for this, and I love grilled cheese, and balsamic! This is a recipe right up my alley. Especially with tomatoes getting ripe in the garden. Thanks!
Nikki Frank-Hamilton recently posted…Silent Sunday Photo 8/01/2015
Haha I will tell him! Thanks, think you will love halloumi! x
This looks delish! I love halloumi. It’s great to see Peter’s setup.
Who Let the Mum Out? recently posted…George at 10 months
Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed the behind the scenes bit too x
Now this looks tasty. I haven;t had Halloumi so it’s something to add to my “to try list”
We love chicken meal ideas so I’m looking forward to trying this one! Thanks for hosting #TastyTuesdays
Angela xx
Angela at Daysinbed recently posted…Yummy Mummy Lentil Soup
Ooh enjoy, thanks for your lovely comment x
Awesome photos Vicki! Makes your sandwich look so appetising. My little ones love cheese but haven’t actually introduced them to halloumi yet so will definitely have to try out your recipe 🙂
My kids love halloumi, hope yours do too, thanks for your lovely comment x
This looks so good and so simple to make. I always love your food pictures xx
hayleigh aka budgetfoodmummy recently posted…Passionfruit Cheesecake
Thanks Hayleigh xoxo
This looks amazing. I also try and stay away from wheat, but having an open sandwich on rye might be something that would work for me – it’s definitely tempting enough to try!
Sarah recently posted…Everyone loves it Spaghetti!
I’m the same and don’t have it often but I really like rye bread now and again x
Ooh I’m jealous of Peter’s lighting setup. Mine looks so adhoc in comparison – might be time to impulse buy some more photographic equipment!
This sandwich sounds delicious. I love quick sandwiches for lunch so this looks just perfect.
Charlotte Oates recently posted…Extra Delicious Beef Lasagne
P is pro though so don’t feel bad in any way, we love adding to our lighting equipment and I have gear from my directing days too x