The Traditional Cyprus Sandwich With Halloumi, Onions and Tomato

French Tart's Note:

I first had one of these wonderful sandwiches just after I had moved to Cyprus; I remember sitting in an old, rundown taverna with a chilled Keo beer, whilst gazing out towards the deep blue Mediterranean Sea! Bliss! They are usually made in long, fat finger rolls, similar to hoagies or sub rolls, but you can also make them with pitta bread or other shapes of bread rolls. Halloumi is a traditional Cypriot cheese, which is still made locally by lots of Cypriot ladies - you often see the cheeses "hanging out to dry" in old, but hopefully clean (?) tights or stockings! Halloumi is an extremely good cheese for cooking, it maintains its shape and becomes toasty and slightly salty when fried or grilled. You can buy packs of good quality Cypriot Halloumi cheese in most supermarkets or in a delicatessen. It can last for up to ONE year when bought in a vacuum-sealed pack! Halloumi is the Greek Cypriot name for this cheese, the Turkish Cypriots call it Hellim - it is the same cheese however, and the best cheese is made with 100% sheep’s milk. You will find these sandwiches all over Cyprus in different guises, this is my favourite combination.

• Total Time: 10 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 5 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 1

Yield: 1.0 Cyprus ...

• 1 large finger rolls or 1 pita bread or 1 hoagie roll
• 4 slices halloumi cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 onion, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 large fresh tomato, sliced
• 1/4 fresh lemon
• fresh oregano leaves (Rigoni leaves)
• lettuce leaf, to serve
• black olives, to serve

Directions:

1. Put 2 teaspoons of the olive oil into a frying pan and cook the onions over a medium heat until soft and slightly coloured, set aside.
2. Put the remaining 1 teaspoon of oil into the frying pan and fry the halloumi slices over a medium to high heat on both sides, until golden brown and crispy around the edges.
3. Cut the roll in half, and place the halloumi slices on one half and then squeeze the lemon juice over the cooked cheese slices. Sprinkle a few oregano leaves over the cheese before adding the sliced tomatoes and cooked onions.
4. Place the other half of the roll on top of the cheese and the filling. Gently press the two halves together.
5. Put the filled roll into a pre-heated griddle, Panini, George Foreman or sandwich grill for about 2 minutes, or until the bread roll is crisp and golden brown.
6. Serve immediately with fresh lettuce leaves and a handful of black olives -- and don't forget the ice cold Keo or Efes beer!

Reviews

[Darkhunter]

Soooo good! Served it on home-made pita bread. Cooked the onions until they had a good caramelization on them. I always thought a good sandwich ALWAYS has mayo on it, but I've gotta say that the squeeze of lemon juice brought out all the goodness and freshness of all the ingredients. Another winner, Tartie! Made for KcK's Forum.

[Pink_Diamond]

I wanted something quick and easy after a long day and this was perfect! Such a tasty sandwich. I fried the Halloumi in 1 tbsp oil, placed it on half a pita, sprinkled it with lemon juice, covered it with tomatoes and raw onions and fresh oregano. Folded the pita over and served it with a side of romaine lettuce and black olives, drizzled with lemon juice and olive oil.
I will be making this many many times over..............

[LifeIsGood]

Talk about bliss! I had this for my lunch today, sitting out on my deck. Not quite Cyprus...but I'll take the sandwich! This was a delicious combination of flavors and textures. The sauteed onions, oregano and tomatoes were wonderful atop the fried halloumi. Outstanding. Thank you! ~Made for Zee Zesties on the ZWT6~