Ok, I apologise.
I grew up in the 60's where cheese and pineapple served on cocktail sticks was the height of sophisticated snacking! (Especially if you covered half a grapefruit in tin foil and poked them into it to make a display).
I grew up in the 60's where cheese and pineapple served on cocktail sticks was the height of sophisticated snacking! (Especially if you covered half a grapefruit in tin foil and poked them into it to make a display).
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Well...actually, there is something to be said for tangy cheese married with sweet pineapple, so I've created a dish to revive and modernise this partnership.
My grilled halloumi and pineapple sticks are tasty, rich and zingy. With the addition of a mouth-watering fresh mint, garlic and tangerine pesto-style dressing to compliment these two main ingredients, your tastebuds will be dancing the night away!
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One of my favourite aspects of this recipe is that there are no added seasonings or flavourings-the taste comes from all the ingredients used; saltiness and creaminess from the cheese, sweetness from the pineapple, freshness from the mint, pungency from the garlic and tangy oils and refreshing juice from the tangerine.
They make a lovely accompaniment to any main dish such as grilled steak, chicken or fish and will grill on the hob or cook on the barbie very well too.
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This serves 2 as a very generous portion, or 3-4 as a starter or small side dish. They also make great appetisers.
The recipe makes 12 sticks.
They work to
2sp/1pp/approx.54kcal
per stick
They work to
2sp/1pp/approx.54kcal
per stick
***
You Will Need : (Makes 12 sticks)
A 225g block of reduced fat Halloumi cheese.
(Most supermarkets have their own brand which contains 30% less fat than regular Halloumi).
12 large chunks fresh pineapple
12 cocktail sticks
For the dressing:
Generous bunch of fresh mint
2 cloves garlic
Zest and juice of 2 tangerines
***
Start by dividing the Halloumi equally into 2 halves.
Cut each half into 6 even chunks. Cut the pineapple into the same size chunks. It's important to keep the pieces fairly large so that the cheese remains intact when you thread it onto the cocktail stick.
Thread the pineapple first, then the cheese onto the top. Repeat until you have 12 mini skewers. I'm not normally a perfectionist, but I trim any excess pineapple to make the kebabs really square and even in shape.
Mist a griddle pan with Frylight oil then place the kebabs gently into the hot pan.
Cook for 5 minutes on a medium-high heat until the cheese and pineapple are this beautiful golden colour. Turn gently then cook for 5 minutes on the other side.
While the kebabs are cooking, take your dressing ingredients.
Using a lemon zester, zest the peel from the tangerines into a bowl.
(Click HERE for info).
This releases beautiful, natural oils which make the base for the dressing.
Chop the garlic roughly and strip the leaves off the fresh mint. Pop into a food processor and blitz until finely chopped. Add to the tangerine zest.
Squeeze the juice from the tangerines and add to the mint, garlic and zest mixture. Mix well. This is your simple dressing.
As soon as the kebabs are cooked on both sides, arrange onto your serving dish. They need to be eaten right away as halloumi has a tendency to go a little 'squeaky' in texture if cooked or left for too long.
Spoon the dressing generously over the hot kebabs, allowing the juice and oils to seep onto the plate.
Garnish with sprigs of fresh mint.
Serve as an accompaniment to your chosen dish. I served these with a Quorn peppered steak for 3pp/115kcal and some chargrilled whole mini peppers for a vibrant, tasty main course.
***
Nothing wrong with a little vintage inspiration!
***
PRINT RECIPE HERE
You Will Need : (Makes 12 sticks)
A 225g block of reduced fat Halloumi cheese.
(Most supermarkets have their own brand which contains 30% less fat than regular Halloumi).
12 large chunks fresh pineapple
12 cocktail sticks
For the dressing:
Generous bunch of fresh mint
2 cloves garlic
Zest and juice of 2 tangerines
***
Start by dividing the Halloumi equally into 2 halves.
Cut each half into 6 even chunks. Cut the pineapple into the same size chunks. It's important to keep the pieces fairly large so that the cheese remains intact when you thread it onto the cocktail stick.
Thread the pineapple first, then the cheese onto the top. Repeat until you have 12 mini skewers. I'm not normally a perfectionist, but I trim any excess pineapple to make the kebabs really square and even in shape.
Mist a griddle pan with Frylight oil then place the kebabs gently into the hot pan.
Cook for 5 minutes on a medium-high heat until the cheese and pineapple are this beautiful golden colour. Turn gently then cook for 5 minutes on the other side.
While the kebabs are cooking, take your dressing ingredients.
Using a lemon zester, zest the peel from the tangerines into a bowl.
(Click HERE for info).
This releases beautiful, natural oils which make the base for the dressing.
Chop the garlic roughly and strip the leaves off the fresh mint. Pop into a food processor and blitz until finely chopped. Add to the tangerine zest.
Squeeze the juice from the tangerines and add to the mint, garlic and zest mixture. Mix well. This is your simple dressing.
As soon as the kebabs are cooked on both sides, arrange onto your serving dish. They need to be eaten right away as halloumi has a tendency to go a little 'squeaky' in texture if cooked or left for too long.
Spoon the dressing generously over the hot kebabs, allowing the juice and oils to seep onto the plate.
Garnish with sprigs of fresh mint.
Serve as an accompaniment to your chosen dish. I served these with a Quorn peppered steak for 3pp/115kcal and some chargrilled whole mini peppers for a vibrant, tasty main course.
***
Nothing wrong with a little vintage inspiration!
***
PRINT RECIPE HERE
