Recipe - Griddled Halloumi with Kicked-up Couscous

I probably shouldn't be referring to pigs during these days of swine flu but I think you might soon see some pigs take off from Heathrow. I'm actually posting a vegetarian recipe. You didn't see that one coming, did you?

I don't have anything, much ;), against vegetarians but I do prefer my food to have some kind of meat in it. However, it's not uncommon that the odd vegetarian sneaks past my quality control and I end up having to cook a non-meat alternative for the odd one out.

This recipe is a variation on last Thursdays one, the Orange Marinated Chicken. I basically just replace the chicken with some nice griddled halloumi cheese. Halloumi is actually really tasty if you griddle or barbecue it. I've made salads with it before and it's really useful to have around if you throw a barbecue and there's a risk of vegetarians turning up.

The couscous recipe is the same as I used in the earlier recipe and the spicyness in it contrasts really well with the halloumi.

I wonder if I'll end up with a vegetarian fan base after this post? Probably not. :)

Over to the recipe...

Ingredients (serves 4)
2 x 250g packs of Halloumi cheese, each cut in 6 - 8 slices
Olive oil

For the kicked-up couscous
4 portions of couscous, prepared and cooked as per the package
5 tbsp salsa
3 tbsp mango chutney
3 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
2 tbsp fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped

Method
Start by heating up your griddle pan (alternatively turn on grill in your oven)

Whilst the pan is heating up, prepare the kicked-up couscous. Mix the salsa, mango chutney, orange juice and coriander well in a bowl. Once mixed, fluff up the cooked couscous using a fork and then mix in the salsa mixture.

Cook the lightly oiled halloumi slices for about 2 minutes on each side, or until it starts to brown a bit.

Once it's all cooked, plate the couscous and place the halloumi on top.
Enjoy!