Grilling Cheese
Description
We know what you’re thinking: “Wait, cheese on the grill? What a gooey, sticky mess!” And we get it: a slice of cheddar or mozzarella would melt right through the grates. But thanks to a category of grilling cheeses including halloumi, berloumi, paneer, and coalho, to name a few, you can enjoy a cheese that sears and becomes crisp and charred on the outside, while remaining soft and almost squeaky on the inside. Halloumi, which hails from Cyprus, is perhaps the most widely-known grilling cheese and has a uniquely firm texture and high melting point, so it can stand up to all sorts of cooking methods: pan-frying, roasting, broiling, grilling, or frying. Halloumi is a registered trademark owned by the government of Cyprus as a protected Designation of Origin, so only those products made in certain parts of Cyprus can be called “halloumi”. Therefore, halloumi-style cheeses produced outside of Cyprus are often simply labeled “grilling cheese.” Our weekly sale from August 31st – September 6th features Kourella’s Grilling Cheese, so this is a perfect time to fire up the grill and give it a try! It’s a highly versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, a salad, a sandwich addition, or even drizzled with honey for a sweet-and-savory dessert!
Instructions
Prepare charcoals or preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Slice the cheese into 1/2-inch-thick planks. Drizzle the planks with olive oil and use your hands to coat them on both sides. Once the grill is thoroughly preheated, grill the planks for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until pleasantly golden with grill marks on both sides. Transfer to a plate and squeeze a bit of fresh lemon juice over top. The cheese is very versatile and can be served in a number of ways. As an appetizer, serve with a sliced baguette, fresh herbs, and fresh sliced tomatoes. It also makes a beautiful salad when laid atop a bed of greens with fresh tomatoes, and a generous drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice. It can also be a unique substitute for mozzarella in a caprese salad or panini. If it’s dessert you’re craving, try drizzling with honey and serving with figs.