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Halloumi Skewers with Roasted Tomatoes and Green Chutney

January 24, 2016 by hapagirl 26 Comments

When you hear ‘grilled cheese’, you probably think of a sandwich, and rightfully so – it’s a classic and childhood favorite among many. But I’m talking about cheese that you grill! As you know, if you put a soft cheese on a skewer, it will turn into a gooey, dripping mess when heated. A delicious mess, but a mess nonetheless. A hard cheese, on the other hand, will probably crumble before you can get the skewer through it, and even if you could, it would melt into an oily mass – not terribly appealing.

 

The ultimate grilled cheese - Halloumi Skewers with Roasted Tomatoes and a Spicy Green Chutney. Serve with warm Naan, and you've got one incredible meal!

No… I’m not talking about just any cheese. I’m talking about halloumi, a cheese with a high melting point that makes it perfectly suited for grilling. A semi-hard cheese from Cyprus (and popular in the Middle East) it’s brined and made from a mixture of goat and sheep’s milk, which gives it that wonderful and distinctive tang. If you’ve never tasted it before, it has a bit of that elastic mozzarella texture coupled with the salty tang of feta.

The ultimate grilled cheese - Halloumi Skewers with Roasted Tomatoes and a Spicy Green Chutney. Serve with warm Naan, and you've got one incredible meal!

You most certainly could use paneer instead of halloumi. Geographically speaking, it makes sense when paired with the green chutney and naan in this dish. A fresh cheese common in South Asia (specifically Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi cuisine), paneer is frequently made with cow’s milk and so it’s generally less expensive than halloumi, but then lacks that tang the mixture of sheep and goat’s milk provides. I really like the briny-tang that halloumi adds to this dish, but feel free to use whichever grilling cheese you prefer – both are wonderful options.

The ultimate grilled cheese - Halloumi Skewers with Roasted Tomatoes and a Spicy Green Chutney. Serve with warm Naan, and you've got one incredible meal!

So a bit about the green chutney before I leave you to dream about perfectly grilled cheese. Also known as corriander chutney, it’s a popular condiment in Indian cuisine. It’s spicy, refreshing, and it works so well with so many things! Seriously, you’ll want to put this on everything – samosas, rice, bread, grilled meats, veggies, seafood… even sushi! When drizzled on the grilled cheese skewers and roasted tomatoes it ties everything together into one delicious bite!

 

Halloumi Skewers with Roasted Tomatoes and Green Chutney
Recipe Type: Appetizer, Entrée
Author: Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 20 mins
Total time: 30 mins
Serves: 4 as an appetizer, 2 as an entreé
The ultimate grilled cheese – Halloumi Skewers with Roasted Tomatoes and a Spicy Green Chutney. Serve with warm Naan, and you’ve got one incredible meal!
Ingredients
  • [b]Green Chutney[/b]
  • 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, lightly packed
  • 1 cup fresh mint leaves, lightly packed
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 2-3 Serrano chilles
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • [b]Halloumi and Roasted Tomatoes[/b]
  • 1 pint grape tomatoes
  • extra virgin olive, for brushing
  • Kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 8 ounces halloumi
  • [b]To Serve[/b]
  • mint, torn for garnish
  • lemon, halved
  • [url href=”http://hapanom.com/naan/” target=”_blank”]naan[/url] or other flatbread, optional, but highly recommended
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Add all of the ingredients for the Green Chutney to the bowl of a food processor. Slowly drizzle 1/4 cup of water as you purée the contents. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed and add more water if necessary (it should be fairly loose). Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
  3. Add the grape tomatoes to a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes, until soft and blistered.
  4. While the tomatoes are roasting, slice the halloumi into 1-inch cubes and thread onto skewers.
  5. Liberally oil a grill pan, heavy bottomed pan, or grill, and place over medium-high heat. Add the halloumi skewers and cook both sides until golden-brown, about 1 minute per side.
  6. Serve the halloumi skewers with the roasted tomatoes, green chutney, torn mint, lemon, and naan. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
* The Green Chutney can be made several days in advance – just cover and refrigerate.[br]* Halloumi can be found in just about any neighborhood with a large Greek population, at most international markets, and cheese shops. If you don’t have one of those stores available, a Whole Foods or Wegmans will most likely carry it.
3.4.3177

 

The ultimate grilled cheese - Halloumi Skewers with Roasted Tomatoes and a Spicy Green Chutney. Serve with warm Naan, and you've got one incredible meal!

 

Filed Under: Appetizers, Blog, Cheese & Dairy, Dishes, Entrée, Fall, Fusion, Grilling Out, New Year's Eve, Party Foods, Recipes, Sports Parties, Spring, Summer, Vegetarian, Winter Tagged With: appetizer, cheese, chutney, cilantro, coriander, Cyprus, easy, entree, flatbread, Greek, green chutney, grilled, grilling, halloumi, Indian, main, Middle East, mint, naan, paneer, quick, Roasted, sauce, South Asia, spicy, tomatoes

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Comments

  1. Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners says

    April 14, 2016 at 6:33 am

    Wow, Kathleen, this is the perfect way to celebrate Grilled Cheese Day! I love halloumi and any time there are tomatoes in the mix, I’m doing the happy dance. Your chutney is perfection!!
    Gorgeous photos as always, friend.

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      April 14, 2016 at 1:42 pm

      You’re going to laugh… I seriously had no idea it was Grilled Cheese Day when I posted this!

      Reply
  2. Mon Petit Four (@byMonPetitFour) says

    January 29, 2016 at 8:36 am

    I’ve actually never tried halloumi before, but you’ve got me dreaming now!! I love the way you paired it with roasted tomatoes and the chutney. So many fabulous flavors going on here, but still so approachable! Absolutely fantastic, Kathleen! <3

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      January 29, 2016 at 8:56 am

      That’s so great to hear! I really try to do just that – pack things with flavor, introduce people to something new, and still keeping it aproachable! Thank you my dear! Have a great weekend! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Sabrina says

    January 28, 2016 at 12:39 pm

    Yum, this combination sounds awesome. Love that chutney!

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      January 28, 2016 at 8:50 pm

      Thanks, Sabrina!

      Reply
  4. karrie @ Tasty Ever After says

    January 27, 2016 at 4:25 pm

    This is heaven on a plate! I would eat this as an vegetarian entree for dinner and be completely satisfied 🙂 The first time I had halloumi was at a Greek Fest when I was little and I thought it was the best thing I had ever had before. Still do, but your roasted tomatoes and that yummy green chutney add a whole new level of deliciousness 🙂

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      January 27, 2016 at 7:46 pm

      Oh see, I didn’t discover halloumi until just a few years ago. Lucky you that you found so early on 😉

      Reply
  5. Lokness says

    January 27, 2016 at 1:23 pm

    Wow, grilled cheese! Sounds incredible! Bryan and I love paneer, especially in Indian curry. I haven’t heard or seen halloumi before, but I really want to try it. The green chutney and tomatoes sure balance perfectly with the cheese. Will try the recipe soon! 😉

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      January 27, 2016 at 7:44 pm

      If you like paneer, I’m sure you’re really going to enjoy halloumi 🙂

      Reply
  6. Mira says

    January 27, 2016 at 6:49 am

    I love Halloumi, just grilled some yesterday to add to a salad! This dish looks so delicious! Love the flavors! Pinning!

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      January 27, 2016 at 11:54 am

      Ooo… grilled halloumi on a bed of greens sounds delish! What a great way to jazz up your salad!

      Reply
  7. Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says

    January 27, 2016 at 3:55 am

    This is such a stunning looking platter, Kathleen. I love halloumi and green chutney too. Loved the addition of garam masala to the chutney, it must have added such a nice spicy touch and aroma to this green beauty! 🙂

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      January 27, 2016 at 11:59 am

      Thanks, Anu! I added the garam masala at the very end, thinking the chutney needed a little something – it was perfect! It really is such a magical spice blend!

      Reply
  8. Thao @ In Good Flavor says

    January 26, 2016 at 7:12 pm

    I have yet to try halloumi but it sounds so good! This vegetarian dish looks like it has a lot flavor, especially with the green chuntney. I think I can put that on everything!!

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      January 27, 2016 at 7:42 pm

      Oh my gosh, seriously, I put the green chutney on all sorts of things! So good!

      Reply
  9. Marissa (@pinchandswirl) says

    January 26, 2016 at 11:25 am

    Oh I love that pleasant squeak and salty goodness of halloumi! And I’m entirely intrigued by your green chutney!

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      January 27, 2016 at 7:40 pm

      Yes! Gotta love that ‘squeaky’ cheese! Isn’t it so funny that it does that? It sounds like it would be strange until you actually hear it 😛

      Reply
  10. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    January 26, 2016 at 6:08 am

    This is totally a plate of perfection, Kathleen! Grilled cheese, roasted tomatoes and that fabulous green chutney? Omg, I could eat this for every meal of the day! So much deliciousness going on here I can’t help but drool! Most definitely making this soon! Cheers, my dear! < 3

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      January 27, 2016 at 7:36 pm

      Oh I know I could eat any form of grilled cheese everyday 😉

      Reply
  11. cakespy says

    January 26, 2016 at 5:42 am

    I’m embarrassed to confess I have not tried halloumi. But I am SO going to try it now that I have laid my eyes on these beauties. I am hungry!!!

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      January 26, 2016 at 5:34 pm

      Oh no need to be embarrassed – there are plenty of people who have never tried it… or even heard of it! If you’re a fan of cheese (and who isn’t?), then you’re going to love halloumi 🙂

      Reply
  12. annie@ciaochowbambina says

    January 26, 2016 at 2:15 am

    You know, I don’t think I’ve ever had halloumi and now I realize I’ve been missing out all these years. These skewers are calling my name and the thought of that green chutney is making my mouth water! Gorgeous dish!

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      January 26, 2016 at 9:07 am

      Oh my gosh, you need to give halloumi a try! And I think you’re really going to like the chutney, it adds a nice kick to the dish. xo

      Reply
  13. Maggie | Omnivore's Cookbook says

    January 25, 2016 at 8:04 pm

    What a gorgeous dish! I love the grilled cheese and the flavor of green chutney. I want to grab a skewer from the screen right now! Sharing of course 🙂

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      January 25, 2016 at 8:45 pm

      Thanks, Maggie! Sending virtual skewers your way 😉

      Reply

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I'm Kathleen and I live in the Atlanta area. In a lifelong search to discover where I belong and what group I identify with, I found that food is the strongest tie that brings us together. On Hapa Nom Nom, food is a kind of connective tissue, bringing my background, family, travels, and tastes together in one delicious bite. Find out more!

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