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Monday, September 6, 2010

Pan- Fried Haloumi for Meatless Monday~ and a Lovely Tea Bread






























Happy Labor Day All!!

  Today is a busy day with the family, so a short post. We are trying to organize a yard sale for next week and there is so much to do! 
Yikes!! Do we really have 7 skateboards around here??

I think I need to send a notice out to all the neighbor kids and find out who's missing what since we seem to be the neighborhood lost and found! :)

I was up early this morning and decided to treat myself with a slice of warm tea bread with my morning cafe. My choice?
A lovely recipe adapted from Rose Levy Bernbaum's Cake Bible (an absolute favorite of mine). This book is a MUST for anyone who wants to learn to bake or polish their skills. Rose explains the "science" of baking and all the whys and wherefores of the structures we create

Lemon Poppyseed Pound Cake


Want the recipe?? 
Come join us on Facebook- this is tonights' Bonus Recipe!


Today's Meatless Monday meal made a lovely lunch. 
Haloumi is a sheep's milk cheese from Cyprus. It's got a mild flavor, and is quite similar to Italian mozzarella but with a different texture. Haloumi actually doesn't melt and can be grilled or pan-fried so it softens and develops a golden "crust". 
Quite frankly, on it's own Haloumi is not my favorite cheese, but with a lovely Mediterranean "salsa" it makes a wonderful and satisfying dish. I have a dear friend who LOVES this dish simply plated as you see in these pictures. I actually prefer to make a very delicious panini out of it. I brushed 2 artisan ciabatta slices with garlic- infused olive oil, added a couple of slices of very ripe garden tomato, the fried cheese and salsa. Then a few minutes in my handy panini grill and a fabulous lunch was complete. 
Can you believe I forgot to take pictures?? It seems my brain cells start to die a bit when I'm hungry!
This is fast and easy- Enjoy!

Pan- Fried Haloumi with Mediterranean Salsa

4 TBLSP olive oil
1/2 of a large fennel bulb- cored, halved, and sliced very thinly
1 small or 1/2 large onion, finely chopped
salt and pepper
1/4 cup pitted Kalamata olives, sliced
zest of 1 lemon, finely grated
zest of 1/2 large orange, finely grated
1/2 cup mint leaves, finely sliced
about 6-8 sun-dried tomatoes (oil packed), drained and finely sliced
8 oz. Haloumi, sliced about 1/4 inch thick

Heat 3 tblsp oil in skillet (I use cast iron) till hot over medium heat. Saute onion and fennel for a few minutes, stirring frequently. You don't want it to brown. Season with salt and pepper, lower heat, and keep sauteeing till soft, but not brown. Stir in olives, zests, mint, tomatoes, and last tblsp. of oil. Take off heat and set aside, covered. Heat another non-stick skillet (I use cast iron or my Calphalon) till hot (no oil). Add Haloumi and cook till both sides are lightly golden, flipping after first side colors.
Place slices on serving plate (or panini) and top with some of salsa.

Have a wonderful Labor Day!

As Always,

Buon Cibo, Buon Amici,

Pattie and Allie

9 comments:

  1. What a great combination of flavors. Orange and mint and olives....it sounds heavenly. Good luck with your garage sale. They are so much work, but it's nice to have the stuff gone!

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  2. Your tea bread sounds wonderful and the salsa has my name on it. I hope the sale is successful and helps simplify the move. Blessings...Mary

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  3. Patti, that looks divine! YUM!

    I feel so out of touch, and I want to be sure and catch up with your news. Mr. Magpie is having surgery in the morning. Details on my blog. I hope all is well with you. I will try to catch up with everyone this weekend. Am hurrying to post a few posts before I leave for the hotel at Mayo.

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  4. I miss Haloumi:) It's the only great grilling cheese..Gosh you have a lot on your plate:)

    7 skatebaords..Do you have Craiglist? Try it!Hope your DD is oh so well now..

    Bon courage with all the future plans..

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  5. Hi ladies, Hope Allie is feeling better. My uncle was from Cyprus and this is a cheese I am familiar with and so nice to see your table and recipes.It brings back such great memories of him. Thank for the bread recipe too....it something i would like to try soon. God Bless all and take care~Emelia~.

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  6. Wish we lived closer for two reasons; first we would be first in line at your yard sale...I am sure you will have some great finds! Second, we are eatting our way through the freezer and not eatting anything blog worthy! Your post has made me so hungry for a real meal :)
    Wendy

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  7. This all looks so good...I love Lemon Poppy Seed Cake...one of my favorites! Hope all is well with Allie :D

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  8. I am looking for that cheese, Patti!
    Everything looks good!
    Prayers all goes well!

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  9. Love haloumi cheese. The great Greek cheese is also fun to grill up. This is a wonderful recipes.

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