Creamy and sweet meet in this delicious seared halloumi with a buttery glaze, and macerated fruit.
SERVES
6
Ingredients
Macerated Fruit
2 cups (470 ml) Kentucky bourbon
1 cup (240 ml) water
1/2 (120 ml) sugar
4 plums, pitted and cut into wedges
12 strawberries, halved
3 cinnamon sticks
3 star anise
10 cloves
1 tsp (5 ml) cracked black pepper
Seared Halloumi
4 x 4oz. slices of halloumi cheese, cut 1/2-inch (1.25 cm) thick
2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
Glaze
1/2 cup (120 ml) reserved macerating syrup
4 tbsp (60 ml) cold butter, cubed
Salt and pepper to season
To Serve
1/2 cup (120 ml) toasted pine nuts
1 bunch mint leaves, torn
Directions
For the Macerated Strawberries and Plums
Make a syrup by heating the bourbon and water together in a small pot, then add sugar, cinnamon, star anise, and cloves. Bring to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes, until well infused.
Meanwhile, place the cut plums and strawberries into a heatproof container.
Remove the macerating syrup from the heat and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes, until slightly cooled.
When cool enough not to cook the fruit, pour the syrup over the plums and strawberries, cover and refrigerate for at least 24 hours, until completely infused. When ready, the fruit will be slightly firm and darker in colour.
For the Seared Halloumi
Preheat oven to 350 F (170 C).
In a non-stick skillet, heat olive oil over high heat.
Season halloumi with salt and pepper and sear, shaking the skillet from time to time, for about two minutes or until golden brown.
Flip and sear the other side until evenly well browned.
Transfer seared halloumi from the skillet to a tray (reserving the skillet over the heat) and keep warm in the oven while assembling the Glaze.
For the Glaze
Add the portion of reserved macerating syrup directly to the skillet over the heat, stirring to loosen any brown bits that may be stuck to the bottom of the pan. Bring to a boil and continue boiling until reduced by 2/3.
Off the heat, swirl in the cold cubed butter one piece at a time, to make a thick, glossy sauce.
Keep warm for serving, but do not return to the heat.
To Serve
Remove the hot Seared Halloumi from the oven and transfer to serving plates.
Garnish neatly with a few pieces each of the Macerated Strawberries and Plums. You may reserve any excess fruit in the syrup for another use, covered and refrigerated, it should keep for up to one month.
Drizzle the halloumi and fruit with the warm Glaze and garnish with toasted pine nuts and mint leaves.