Skip to main content

Seared Halloumi with Peanut Dukkah and Honey

4.6

(3)

Triangles of crusty halloumi cheese scattered with seeds and spices on blue and brown handmade plate on chevronpatterned...
Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott

Salty, lacy-edged Halloumi covered in warm honey and sprinkled with nutty dukkah—what’s not to love?

Ingredient Info

Halloumi cheese can be found in Greek markets, natural foods and specialty foods stores, some supermarkets, and online.

Ingredients

1/4 cup skinless raw peanuts
2 Tbsp. toasted white sesame seeds
1 Tbsp. black sesame seeds
1 tsp. coriander seeds
1 tsp. cumin seeds
1/2 tsp. finely ground black pepper
2 (8-oz.) packages Halloumi cheese
1/4 cup (or more) extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup honey, warmed

Special Equipment:

A spice mill or mortar and pestle

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Toast peanuts on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until golden brown, 8–10 minutes. Let cool. Crush with a mortar and pestle or finely chop. Transfer to a medium bowl, add both sesame seeds, and toss well.

    Step 2

    Toast coriander seeds and cumin seeds in a dry small skillet over medium heat, tossing often, until fragrant, about 2 minutes; let cool. Coarsely grind in spice mill or with mortar and pestle and add to peanut mixture along with pepper; mix dukkah well.

    Step 3

    Cut each piece of Halloumi in half on a diagonal. Working with 1 piece at time, place Halloumi cut side down on a cutting board and slice lengthwise into triangular planks. (You should have 12 total.) Pat dry with paper towels.

    Step 4

    Heat oil in a large heavy skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high. Working in batches and adding more oil as needed, cook Halloumi until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to fresh paper towels to drain.

    Step 5

    Arrange on a platter; drizzle with honey and sprinkle with some dukkah.

  2. Do Ahead

    Step 6

    Dukkah can be made 2 weeks ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

Read More
This one-pot dinner cooks chicken thighs directly on top of a bed of flavorful cilantro rice studded with black beans for a complete dinner.
A flurry of fresh tarragon makes this speedy weeknight dish of seared cod and luscious, sun-colored pan sauce feel restaurant worthy.
Yeasted pancakes mixed with saffron and cardamom (called chebab) are typical of Gulf countries, but I must confess I much prefer these lacy thin crepes.
The secret to flavorful, never-greasy eggplant parm? Brine the eggplant first.
With a crisp crust, garlicky mayo, and a juicy slice of tomato.
Pickled chile vinaigrette, salami, and torn crispy bread help turn a bowl’s worth of stone fruit into a lightning fast summery dinner.
The golden, crunchy corners are worth fighting over.
Berbere is a spicy chile blend that has floral and sweet notes from coriander and cardamom, and when it’s paired with a honey glaze, it sets these wings apart from anything else you’ve ever had.