• TO DRINK: If not ouzo, the fresh nuttiness and slight saltiness of Monis Fino sherry suits this dish perfectly.

    Fried haloumi with mint and caraway dressing

    Serves: 2
    Cooking Time: 30 mins

    Ingredients

    • DRESSING
    • 60ml (¼ cup) sunflower oil
    • 30ml (2 tbsp) caraway seeds
    • 2,5ml (½ tsp) garlic, finely chopped
    • 45ml (3 tbsp) red wine vinegar
    • 2,5ml (½ tsp) lemon juice
    • 20ml (4 tsp) fresh mint, shredded
    • salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
    • 240g (2 cups) cake flour
    • 8 thick slices of haloumi
    • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
    • sunflower oil, for frying
    • 60ml (¼ cup) fresh basil leaves
    • black olives, to serve
    • focaccia, toasted, to serve

    Instructions

    1

    For the dressing, heat the oil in a pan and fry the caraway seeds and garlic for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the vinegar, lemon juice and mint.

    2

    Season the flour. Dip each slice of haloumi in the flour, then in the egg and back in the flour. Heat a little oil in a pan and shallow-fry the haloumi in batches until golden. Drain on paper towel.

    3

    Serve the haloumi with the olives and focaccia, drizzled with the dressing and garnished with the basil