Recipes

Halloumi with Spiced Pickled Raspberries

The tang of the sweet and sharp pickled raspberries accentuates the creaminess of the halloumi.  Makes a fresh tasting lunch or a generous starter.

Serves 2 

Prep time 15 minutes plus marinating time
Cook time 5 minutes

150g halloumi

2tsp olive oil

mixed salad leaves

For the spiced pickled raspberries

100ml cider vinegar

1 star anise

4 peppercorns

½ tsp fennel seeds

pinch chilli flakes

1tbsp sugar

100g raspberries

3 radishes, thinly sliced

1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced

For the sour dough croutes

100g sour dough preferably a day old

1 clove garlic, halved

1tbsp olive oil

1.    For the pickles, warm the vinegar in a small pan with the star anise, peppercorns, fennel, chilli and sugar until the sugar has dissolved.  Set aside to cool slightly.  Add the raspberries, radishes and onion and leave to marinate for at least 20 minutes (can be as long as overnight) until you can see the ingredients changing and turning the vinegar pink.

2.    For the croutes, preheat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas mark 6.  Slice the sourdough and rub the cut side of the garlic over the bread and then cut it into cubes.  Drizzle with the olive oil, toss to mix and then bake in the oven for 5 minutes until golden and crisp.

3.    Pat dry the halloumi with kitchen paper and then slice the block into 6 pieces.  Heat the oil in a frying pan add the slices and cook for 3-4 minutes turning until golden on both sides. You may need to do this in batches.

4.    Divide the leaves between plates, add the halloumi, spoon over the pickles and top with the croutons.

You can make the pickles and the croutons the day before if you want to a fast throw together lunch.

For a meat version, slice 250g skinless chicken breast, season with some salt and pepper and pan fry in the hot oil for 3-4 minutes until golden and cooked through.