Halloumi Keftedes Recipes

GREEK MEATBALLS RECIPE (KEFTEDES/ KEFTETHES)

Steps:

• To prepare this traditional Greek meatballs recipe (keftedes), add all the ingredients into a large bowl and mix well (for about 5-10 minutes), squeezing with your hands, to allow the flavours to blend. Cover the bowl with some plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge for 1 hour.
• Turn the mixture for the keftedes out of the fridge and roll into meatballs the size of a walnut (or bigger if you prefer). If you're frying them, dredge the rolled meatballs lightly in flour making sure to shake off any excess. Fry until nicely browned on all sides.
• The traditional way of cooking Greek meatballs (keftedes) is frying them. Fry the keftedes in batches of 10-15 at a time, until nicely browned on all sides.
• Instead of frying you can bake / grill the keftedes in the oven. Preheat the oven at 200C, place the un-floured keftedes on greased baking sheet about an inch apart. Bake for about 20 minutes, turning the meatballs upside down midway through cooking time. The grilled version is much lighter than the fried so theres not excuse to not trying it now!
• Keftedes (Greek meatballs) are ideally served as an appetizer (meze) with some creamy tzatziki sauce and pita breads or as a main course with some basmati rice and a Greek salad. Enjoy!

HALLOUMI AND VEGETABLE SKEWERS RECIPE

Steps:

• Whisk together oil, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, oregano, and mint in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add cheese, zucchini, onion, and tomatoes, and toss to combine.
• Thread cheese, zucchini, onion, and tomatoes on pre-soaked skewers.
• Light one chimney full of charcoal. When all charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and spread the coals evenly over entire surface of coal grate. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill and allow to preheat for 5 minutes. Clean and oil the grilling grate. Grill skewers over direct heat until cheese browns and zucchini has slightly softened, 3-5 minutes per side. Remove skewers from the grill to a serving platter. Squeeze lemon wedges over skewers and serve immediately with tzatziki and warm pita.

HALLOUMI KEFTEDES

Steps:

• Beat eggs lightly in a deep mixing bowl.
• Remove crust form bread and discard, soak bread in cold water and squeeze dry.
• Crumble in eggs and add onion, potato, herbs, garlic, cheese and seasonings.
• Add meat and blend lightly and thorough by mixing with hands.
• Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• With moistened hands, shape into balls about the size of a small egg.
• Roll in flour and flatten each to a thick patty.
• Shallow fry in hot oil until nicely browned (6 minutes each side).
• Lift out and drain.
• Place in serving dish and keep hot until all patties are done.

HALLOUMI BITES (NIGELLA LAWSON)

Steps:

• Combine the oil, parsley, lime juice, and pepper (a good grinding) in a large shallow dish.
• Slice the drained halloumi into ¼-inch wide pieces, and then cut each slice in half again (don't worry if bits splinter as you cut).
• Heat a dry skillet and dry-fry the slices of cheese until golden on both sides; this should take only a minute or so in a hot pan.
• Put the fried halloumi into the shallow dish of other ingredients as you go, and then turn the halloumi about t coat each piece before turning into a serving dish.