Halloumi is a very special cheese from Cyprus. It has a salty flavor, reminiscent of feta but less intense. What makes it particularly interesting is that halloumi cheese doesn’t melt, giving it a versatility that is pretty rare in the cheese world. It can be roasted, sautéed, fried, and even thrown on the drill! These kebabs are delicious, with the orange marinade complementing the salty cheese to perfection!
On the Ingredients
- Oranges are a type of citrus which come from hybridization of the pomelo and mandarin. They’re one of the most popular fruits in the US, along with apples and bananas. Oranges are high in vitamin-C and dietary fiber. They’re also high in flavonoids, a type of antioxidant. (Read more about oranges.)
- Parsley is often mixed up with cilantro regarding its appearance, but the flavor is quite different and lacks the possibility of a soapy taste. Parsley has a very clean, lightly peppery, and slightly earthy flavor. A natural diuretic, parsley has been shown to help reduce bloating and lower blood pressure. It also contains a lot of vitamin K, supporting bone growth and mineral density (read more on the benefits).
- Sesame seeds, which come from a flowering plant native to India, have one of the highest oil concentrations of any cultivated seed crop. Thus, it’s not surprising that people have been cultivating sesame for its oil for over 3,000 years, making it one of the oldest known oilseed crops. Sesame seeds themselves are prized for their rich, nutty flavor and are used for cooking in many cuisines around the world. In the West, they are generally used for bread, crackers, and other baked foods. In Asia, sesame seeds are a common ingredient in savory foods, like salads, stir-fries, and meat preparations. In Japan, roasted sesame seeds and salt are ground together to make a popular seasoning called gomashio. Sesame seeds are also used in African, Indian, Caribbean, and Mexican cuisine, among others. (Read more about sesame seeds.)
Recipe Notes and Substitutions
You can play with the flavors of the marinade. Any Mediterranean marinade combination should be delicious with halloumi.
Halloumi Kebabs
3
servings40
minutes15
minutes55
minutesHalloumi is a very special cheese from Cyprus. It has a salty flavor, reminiscent of feta but less intense. What makes it particularly interesting is that halloumi cheese doesn’t melt, giving it a versatility that is pretty rare in the cheese world. It can be roasted, sautéed, fried, and even thrown on the drill! These kebabs are delicious, with the orange marinade complementing the salty cheese to perfection!
Ingredients
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 an orange (juice and zest)
4 tbsp minced parsley
1 tsp black sesame seeds
1/2 tsp black pepper
pinch of salt
2 packages of halloumi cheese
1 orange bell pepper
12 grape tomatoes
1 red onion
Directions
- Mix together the onion, orange juice, zest, parsley, sesame seeds, black pepper, and salt. Cut open the packages of halloumi and drain the brine. Cut each block of cheese into six cubes and place them in a container. Pour the marinade over the halloumi and let it marinate for 30 minutes.
- If you’re using bamboo skewers, soak six of them in water for at least 20 minutes. Chop the bell pepper and onion into large pieces (about 1.5”). When the halloumi is done marinating, begin assembling the kebabs, with two of each ingredient on each skewer, alternating. Drizzle the marinade over the kebabs.
- Grill the skewers, turning occasionally, until the veggies are tender and the cheese is golden brown. The cooking time will vary depending on your grill. Serve hot and enjoy!
