Last week, a good friend gifted me with some delicious halloumi cheese. If you haven't tried halloumi before, it's a cheese which is traditionally made in Cyprus.
It tastes like a saltier version of mozzarella, but its texture is extremely firm.
Its firmness makes this cheese ideal for searing in a hot pan or, my personal favourite, deep frying.
The cheese doesn't melt at these high temperatures, it simply softens to a really nice texture. And the flavour!
I love making these chunky 'chips' whenever I can get my hands on some good-quality halloumi.
The type my friend gave me is an Irish brand from Ballyhubbock Farm in Co Wicklow. It's made from sheep's milk and the flavour is just delicious, especially when it's coated in spiced breadcrumbs and served with a tangy dipping sauce.
Chunky halloumi chips with lemon garlic dipping sauce
These halloumi chips make a great lunch or dinner. Alternately, you could eat them as a snack with the dipping sauce. / Janine Kennedy
Serves four
Ingredients:
250g halloumi cheese, cut into strips
200g plain flour, seasoned with salt and pepper
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
250g fresh breadcrumbs, seasoned with chilli flakes, oregano and garlic powder
1l mild cooking oil for deep frying
For the sauce:
100g mayonnaise
100g natural Greek yogurt
1 clove garlic, pureed
1 tsp lemon rind
juice from 1/2 lemon
salt and pepper, to taste
1 tsp chilli flakes
1 tsp oregano
To serve:
salad greens
cucumber
cherry tomatoes
red onion
Directions:
1 Place the vegetable oil in a large, heavy bottomed pot (or simply preheat a deep fat fryer to 190°C). Heat the oil to approximately 190°C (on medium-high heat). Use extreme caution if you are doing this on a gas range, as splattering, hot oil could cause a grease fire.
2 Set up a breading station near the stove top where the oil is heating. In one shallow dish, place the flour and season with salt and pepper. In another shallow dish, lightly beat the eggs. In a third dish, add the breadcrumbs and season them with chilli flakes, oregano and garlic powder. Set aside while the oil heats.
3 Slice the halloumi into chunky chip-sized pieces. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and dip each piece of cheese first in the flour, then in the egg and finally coat with breadcrumbs. Place the breaded halloumi on the baking sheet until it's time to fry. Repeat with each piece of cheese.
4 Carefully fry the breaded halloumi until golden brown, for about three to five minutes. Drain on some kitchen towel while you make the dipping sauce.
5 Make the dipping sauce: in a bowl, combine the mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon rind and juice, garlic and chilli flakes and oregano. Mix well and season to taste with salt and pepper.
6 Make a small salad with greens, cucumber, cherry tomato and red onion. Top the salad with the halloumi chips and drizzle with the sauce. Enjoy!
Read more
If you love cinnamon rolls, this is the cake for you
If you're looking for something new to try, make this Irish milk mochi
Last week, a good friend gifted me with some delicious halloumi cheese. If you haven't tried halloumi before, it's a cheese which is traditionally made in Cyprus.
It tastes like a saltier version of mozzarella, but its texture is extremely firm.
Its firmness makes this cheese ideal for searing in a hot pan or, my personal favourite, deep frying.
The cheese doesn't melt at these high temperatures, it simply softens to a really nice texture. And the flavour!
I love making these chunky 'chips' whenever I can get my hands on some good-quality halloumi.
The type my friend gave me is an Irish brand from Ballyhubbock Farm in Co Wicklow. It's made from sheep's milk and the flavour is just delicious, especially when it's coated in spiced breadcrumbs and served with a tangy dipping sauce.
Chunky halloumi chips with lemon garlic dipping sauce
These halloumi chips make a great lunch or dinner. Alternately, you could eat them as a snack with the dipping sauce. / Janine Kennedy
Serves four
Ingredients:
250g halloumi cheese, cut into strips
200g plain flour, seasoned with salt and pepper
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
250g fresh breadcrumbs, seasoned with chilli flakes, oregano and garlic powder
1l mild cooking oil for deep frying
For the sauce:
100g mayonnaise
100g natural Greek yogurt
1 clove garlic, pureed
1 tsp lemon rind
juice from 1/2 lemon
salt and pepper, to taste
1 tsp chilli flakes
1 tsp oregano
To serve:
salad greens
cucumber
cherry tomatoes
red onion
Directions:
1 Place the vegetable oil in a large, heavy bottomed pot (or simply preheat a deep fat fryer to 190°C). Heat the oil to approximately 190°C (on medium-high heat). Use extreme caution if you are doing this on a gas range, as splattering, hot oil could cause a grease fire.
2 Set up a breading station near the stove top where the oil is heating. In one shallow dish, place the flour and season with salt and pepper. In another shallow dish, lightly beat the eggs. In a third dish, add the breadcrumbs and season them with chilli flakes, oregano and garlic powder. Set aside while the oil heats.
3 Slice the halloumi into chunky chip-sized pieces. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and dip each piece of cheese first in the flour, then in the egg and finally coat with breadcrumbs. Place the breaded halloumi on the baking sheet until it's time to fry. Repeat with each piece of cheese.
4 Carefully fry the breaded halloumi until golden brown, for about three to five minutes. Drain on some kitchen towel while you make the dipping sauce.
5 Make the dipping sauce: in a bowl, combine the mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon rind and juice, garlic and chilli flakes and oregano. Mix well and season to taste with salt and pepper.
6 Make a small salad with greens, cucumber, cherry tomato and red onion. Top the salad with the halloumi chips and drizzle with the sauce. Enjoy!
Read more
If you love cinnamon rolls, this is the cake for you
If you're looking for something new to try, make this Irish milk mochi
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: