Description
Halloumi Bake is a Mediterranean-inspired dish that brings sunshine to your dinner table with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Roasted tomatoes and golden-brown cheese create a simple yet satisfying meal perfect for casual weeknight cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 250g Halloumi Cheese
- 500g Cherry Tomatoes
- 1 Red Onion
Flavor Enhancers:
- 4 cloves Garlic
- ¼ cup Fresh Basil
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
Seasonings and Oils:
- 4 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 2 tablespoons Balsamic Glaze
- ¼ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- Salt
- Black Pepper
Instructions
- Crank your oven to a blazing 400F (200C), ensuring the rack is centered for even heating.
- Slice 500g of cherry tomatoes into halves or quarters, depending on their size.
- Grab a large oven-safe skillet and warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Toss in 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 thinly sliced red onion, stirring until they turn soft and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
- Dump the prepared tomatoes into the skillet. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper over the top. Give everything a good mix to coat evenly.
- Slide the skillet into the preheated oven. Roast the tomatoes for 20-25 minutes until they soften, release their juices, and develop slight caramelization.
- While tomatoes roast, pat your 250g halloumi block dry with paper towels. Slice it into ½-inch thick pieces.
- Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a separate pan over medium-high heat. Gently place halloumi slices in the hot skillet, cooking 2-3 minutes per side until they turn golden and crisp.
- Pull the tomato-filled skillet from the oven. Nestle the halloumi slices into the tomato sauce, spacing them evenly for maximum coverage.
- Return the skillet to the oven for 10-15 minutes. Watch carefully as the cheese softens, melts slightly, and turns golden brown at the edges.
- Pluck the skillet from the oven and shower ¼ cup of roughly chopped fresh basil over the top.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons of balsamic glaze across the dish in elegant swirls.
- Finish with a zesty squeeze of 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice.
- Scatter some extra basil leaves for a final flourish. Serve this beauty straight from the skillet while it’s piping hot.
Notes
- Always choose ripe, sweet cherry tomatoes for the most flavorful base and best roasting results.
- Pat halloumi dry before cooking to ensure a perfect golden-brown crust and prevent excess moisture.
- For a gluten-free version, confirm all ingredients are certified gluten-free and serve with gluten-free bread or over quinoa.
- When pan-frying halloumi, use a non-stick skillet and watch carefully since the cheese can burn quickly at high temperatures.
- Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-43 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg