Halloumi Burger
A grilled halloumi burger makes a satisfying lacto vegetarian meal.
These halloumi burgers are a great meat-free alternative to beef burgers. The cheese is firm with a bit of a grilled outer crust and adds a nice bite to this burger. I like mine topped with red onion and tomato on butter lettuce with a smear of my yogurt mint sauce.
Halloumi (or haloumi) is a semi-hard cheese made from a mixture of milks (goat, sheep and sometimes cow's milk). It's unripened and a bit on the salty side with a squeakiness like cheese curds. It holds up well to grilling and makes a great substitute for meat as it takes on other flavours and adds a density to burgers and sandwiches.
The trick to making sure the halloumi doesn't stick to the grill is to brush the hot grill with oil before placing the sliced cheese down to cook. A sharp-edged, steel barbecue spatula will also help to make a quick, clean flip.
Serve with your favourite burger toppings.
Ingredients
(Makes 4 servings)
marinade:
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon low-sodium tamari
1 teaspoon vegan Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
burger:
~9oz (250g) halloumi cheese, sliced 1/2-inch thick (8 slices)
4 sesame seed buns
red onion, sliced (optional)
beefsteak tomato, sliced (optional)
butter lettuce (optional)
yogurt mint sauce (optional)
Directions
In a medium bowl, whisk the extra-virgin olive oil, tamari, and spices. Place the sliced halloumi cheese into the bowl and ensure all sides are covered. Marinate for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat an outdoor grill to medium heat. (Halloumi can also be cooked on an indoor smokeless grill on high, or grill pan heated on the stove over medium-high heat.)
Brush the grill with extra-virgin olive oil immediately prior to placing the cheese on the grill to cook. Grill halloumi for 3 to 4 minutes per side, flipping carefully with a wide spatula. Excess marinade can be brushed on the cheese as it cooks if desired.
Serve while hot on fresh buns with preferred burger toppings. Try it with my yogurt mint sauce.
Nutritional Information Per Serving:
total calories = 375.5 | total fat = 20.64g | saturated fat = 0.97g | cholesterol = 0mg | sodium = 573.38mg | net carbohydrates = 26.81g | dietary fibre = 1.79g | sugars = 0.19g | protein = 19.12g
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