This collection of 12 Halloumi and Feta Dishes for a Sunny Day is perfect for a warm evening when you would rather not stand over a hot oven.
Most of these are done in a pan or need no cooking at all, and they cover dips, salads and a few things to pick at with a drink in your hand. Save the list, and number 11 has a reputation for being the trickiest borek to make.
Fried Halloumi
Halloumi is cooked in a pan until the edges crisp and the middle turns soft and chewy. It holds its shape instead of melting, which is why it fries so well. It takes under 10 minutes, so you can make it once people are already sitting down.
To learn more: Fried Halloumi
Mediterranean Honey Halloumi Salad
Pan-seared halloumi is tossed with peach, cucumber, cherry tomatoes and rocket, with a dressing of honey, lemon and pomegranate molasses. The sweet fruit against the salty cheese is what makes it work. It works as a full lunch rather than a side.
To learn more: Mediterranean Honey Halloumi Salad
Spicy Feta Dip
This is the Greek dip known as tirokafteri, made with feta, roasted red peppers, chilli, yoghurt, olive oil and a little red wine vinegar. It is salty, tangy and ready in about 15 minutes. If you do not want chilli, number 5 is the one to make.
To learn more: Spicy Feta Dip
Cucumber Tomato Feta Cheese Salad
This is cucumber, tomato and feta with a handful of store-cupboard ingredients and no cooking at all. It comes together in a few minutes and uses ingredients you can buy all year round. Serve it with grilled meat or fish.
To learn more: Cucumber Tomato Feta Cheese Salad
Haydari
Haydari is a thick Turkish meze made with strained yoghurt, feta, garlic, fresh dill and walnuts. It is creamy and a little salty from the cheese, and it is one of the quickest cold mezes to put together. Scoop it with warm pita bread.
To learn more: Haydari
Baked Feta Cheese with Honey
A block of feta goes into the oven with olive oil, honey, sesame seeds and a pinch of chilli flakes, and comes out in under 20 minutes. The feta softens while the honey turns warm and glossy. Serve it with bread, crackers or raw vegetables for people to share.
To learn more: Baked Feta Cheese with Honey
Feta Cheese Watermelon Salad
Cubed watermelon is tossed with cucumber, basil and a generous amount of feta. The feta adds salt to the sweet melon. Nothing gets cooked, so it takes minutes to put together.
To learn more: Feta Cheese Watermelon Salad
Sigara Boregi - Turkish Cheese Rolls
These are crisp fried pastries filled with feta, halloumi and plenty of fresh herbs. Three sheets of yufka give you 24 rolls, so one batch feeds a party, and they can be rolled up to three days ahead or fried straight from frozen. There is another finger food at number 12.
To learn more: Sigara Boregi - Turkish Cheese Rolls
Beetroot Salad
Roasted beetroot is tossed with feta, pear, walnuts and green leaves. It takes about 10 minutes to put together once the beetroot is cooked. Serve it as a side dish or as a lunch on its own.
To learn more: Beetroot Salad
Greek Cucumber Salad
This has cucumber, tomatoes, red pepper, olives and feta tossed in a quick oregano vinaigrette, with shredded lettuce in there too. It is not the traditional version, but the lettuce keeps everything crunchy and one bowl feeds a full table. It takes fifteen minutes from start to finish.
To learn more: Greek Cucumber Salad
Su Boregi
Su boregi, or water borek, is a layered Turkish pastry with a creamy feta and parsley filling. It has a reputation for being the trickiest borek to make, so the recipe breaks it down step by step with a video. Cut it into squares and serve it warm.
To learn more: Su Boregi
Air Fryer Halloumi Fries
Halloumi is cut into batons and crisped in the air fryer instead of being fried in oil. They come out crisp outside and soft in the middle. Serve them warm with a yoghurt dip or a squeeze of lemon.
To learn more: Air Fryer Halloumi Fries
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