Grapefruit Rounds with Halloumi Cheese & Mint Dressing
Grapefruit and cheese might seem like an unlikely pairing but trust me, this combination is a taste bud sizzler! Halloumi is from the island of Cyprus and is a semi-hard, brined cheese made traditionally from sheep’s milk. It has a high melting point and is perfect for grilling or frying in a pan. We love halloumi! I’ve made it in a salad, wrapped in grilled red pepper, and prawn skewers. Its texture is firmer than fresh mozzarella with a slight salty flavor. When you chew it, it makes a squeaky sound. It’s our happy cheese as it makes us smile when we hear that sound!
Serves 4
1 pink grapefruit at room temperature, skin removed and cut into four rounds
1 package halloumi cheese, sliced lengthways into 4 pieces
2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
Place grapefruit rounds on 4 serving plates. In a small bowl combine olive oil, vinegar and fresh mint. In a non-stick fry pan over medium-high heat add halloumi slices and fry until golden – about 2 or 3 minutes. Flip over and fry until golden. Remove from pan and place each slice on top of the grapefruit round. Top with mint dressing and season with freshly ground black pepper.
The Culinary Chase’s Note: When removing the grapefruit skin, do so over a bowl to catch any of the juices and add this to the dressing. Fresh and simple. Enjoy!