[Cooking] Halloumi and Mushroom "Burger"

[karohemd]

Ingredients (for one, multiply accoringly):
block halloumi
portobello mushrooms (the big ones)
1 beetroot
2 tomatoes
2 gloves of garlic, 1cm ginger, mixed herbs, olive oil
salt, pepper, pimenton

I first boiled the beetroot, then quartered and peeled it, drizzled with balsamic vinegar and a sprinkle of sea salt and kept warm wrapped in foil.

The halloumi was sliced in three and marinaded in olive oil, pimenton and pepper (you don't need any salt as the cheese is salty enough) while the beetroot was boiling, then fried in the marinade with the portobello mushrooms (sliced in half).

For the couscous, I deseeded and finely chopped two tomatoes and cooked them down in olive oil with garlic, a bit of ginger, dried mediterranean herbs, freshly sliced chilli and seasoned with salt and pepper. Into that I stirred the couscous, added as much boiling water as needed and put on a lid until the couscous was nice and plump.

I started with a pile of couscous on the plate then stacked mushroom and halloumi slices in the centre and arranged the beetroot on the side.

Comments

[dantesspirit]

Interesting. The Halloumi is a cheese, yes? I might have to see if I can find some locally.

[karohemd]

Yes, it's a Greek cheese, available (in the UK) in the continental section. It comes in a packet with brine similar to feta or mozzarella. The closest (in texture at least) is paneer, the Indian cheese that also doesn't melt when heated. When fried, it becomes crispy on the outside and sort of rubbery/squeaky in the centre.

[dantesspirit]

I have to run by Fresh Market (a version of Whole Foods, only less organic and not as pricey), so I'll see if I can't find some there.}:P

[karohemd]

Sounds like a good place to start. This page might help, too.

[(Anonymous)]

O_O Yummy!

Is it all your own creation or were you inspired by others?

[von_geisterhand]

Ich sollte mich vielleicht vorher mal einloggen.

[karohemd]

Hehe, Antwort siehe oben.

[karohemd]

bzw. unten.

[karohemd]

I didn't follow a specific recipe but was obviously inspired by ideas I'd seen. It was more a case of "Right, I have halloumi, beetroot and mushrooms, what can I do with it?" so first it was just going to end up in a pan and then I thought I could actually try and do something ridiculous and it worked. ;o) I knew you could/should marinade halloumi so I used one of my favourite flavours.

You could obviously take this idea to extremes and cut discs of mushroom and cheese of the same size and stack them more neatly using a chef's ring (fnar fnar) but that's far too fiddly for me.

[thedinster.livejournal.com]

NOMNOMNOM

[whollyrandom.livejournal.com]

Hungry now.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

My work here is done. :)

Yum!

[karimk.livejournal.com]

You know Ozzy, your various photos of gastronomic pulchritude do make my diet occasionally tricky but worth it. You certainly cook and eat well.

Best

Karim

Re: Yum!

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Haha, thank you. :o)