P A Pan fried Halloumi Cheese with Olives Shallots and Almonds sm

Pan fried Halloumi cheese with olives, shallots & almonds

Fried Halloumi is firm and slightly crispy on the outside, creamy and salty on the inside. Mediterranean inspired, this dish is the perfect dish for parties served 'family-style.'
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup almonds
  • Olive oil
  • 2 large shallots thinly sliced
  • Kosher salt
  • ½ cup dried apricots chopped
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 lb halloumi cheese
  • Flour as needed
  • ½ cup olives halved (kalamata, castelvetrano, etc.)
  • Crackers or toasted bread

Instructions
 

  • Crackers or toasted bread
  • Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  • Spread the almonds onto a baking sheet. Roast for about 8-10 minutes until golden. Let cool slightly. Use a kitchen towel to rub the skins off (it’s okay if some stay on). Roughly chop the hazelnuts and set aside. Lower the oven to 300°F.
  • Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the skillet. Add the shallots and a pinch of salt. Let sauté until softened, caramelized, and somewhat crispy, stirring often. Stir in the apricots, honey, and red wine vinegar. Bring the liquid to a simmer. Cook for a minute or so until slightly reduced. Turn off the heat and set aside.
  • Slice the halloumi cheese into ½” rounds. Toss with enough flour just to coat the slices on all sides.
  • Heat another skillet over medium heat. Add enough olive oil to come up the sides about a ¼ of an inch. Once the oil is hot, work in batches to fry the halloumi cheese until golden, about 2-3 minutes per side (shake off any excess flour as you add the cheese to the pan).
  • Remove the halloumi cheese and season with a pinch of salt. Keep warm in the oven until the rest of the cheese is fried.
  • Meanwhile, heat the shallot mixture back over medium heat. Stir in the almonds and olives. Cook another minute or so.
  • Serve the halloumi with the shallot mixture spooned over top. Add a drizzle of olive oil to finish. Serve with crackers or toasted bread.
Keyword cheese appetizers, fried cheese, meatless Monday