Pan-Fried Haloumi Cheese

2 packages of haloumi cheese (8-10 ox. per package)
1/4 cup olive oil
1 bulb of garlic
4 - 6 tablespoons of flour
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper





Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Slice the haloumi into broad flat slices of 1/4" thick. Peel the garlic cloves and make into a puree using either a mortar and pestle or a small food processor. Place garlic paste in to a small bowl and mix in about 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil to make garlic a thinner consistency. In another bowl mix flour and cayenne pepper together for dredging. First dredge the haloumi slabs through the garlic paste mixture and then throught the flour mixture to give a light coating of each.

Lay the cheese slabs into the skillet and fry on one side until flecked with golden brown, about 2-4 minutes. Flip carefully and fry on the other side until the other side is also flecked with golden brown spots. Remove from the pan and place on plate with a paper towel to absorb any excess oil.

Serve with warm pita bread and hummus, if desired.


Serves 4-6.

4/2009