Halloumi Za’atar Grilled Toast

Yummmmm…za’atar, that delicious Middle Eastern herb seasoning. I was first introduced to this seasoning at the Old Spice Souk in Dubai. The year was 2013 and we took an abra across Dubai Creek where a purveyor invited me to smell it. Then he sprinkled it on a slice of grilled halloumi and I was hooked for life. Join me on this journey half way ’round the world! This halloumi toast is terrific cut into small squares for an appetizer, or halve the whole piece of toast and serve it for brunch.

4 Tbs olive oil
3 Tbs minced fresh parsley
1 Tbs minced fresh oregano
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 Tbs Za’atar seasoning
1/2 t ground pepper
8 oz halloumi cheese, sliced into 3/4” slices
4 slices hearty sourdough or strong wheat bread
1 clove garlic, halved
1 cup microgreens

Whisk together olive oil, parsley, oregano, lemon juice, za’atar, and pepper.
Brush both sides of halloumi and bread with oil mixture.
Grill halloumi and bread on both sides until charred, 1 to 2 minutes per side.

Rub one side of bread with garlic.
Top toasts with halloumi.
Drizzle with remaining oil mixture.
Sprinkle with lemon zest and micro greens.
Serves 8 for appetizers or 4 for brunch.

To the left is pictured a brunch serving of this wonderful toast, cut on the diagonal. I added bean sprouts, and pink salt to jazz it up a bit.

Jazzy Grilled Cheese

 

Your finished “Grilled to Perfection” product!

Just in time for the weekend…the temp promises to be a bit more comfortable for Fall Ball Y’all! We are all about a jazzy grilled cheese lunch and then heading to the ball park for late afternoon and evening games, under the lights!  Please know that we are super careful; We group together as families, in our own circle of chairs. We are 12 feet apart from the next family. We are not allowed on bleachers. We do not exchange even elbow bumps with other families. But it still brings great joy to be there for the love of the children, grandchildren, and the game!     And now to share a great thought here:

“We believe in friendship,
In community,
And in gathering side by side.
We believe in lively conversation…
The kind where our differences are realized and met with honor.
The kind where we leave having been made better.
We believe that when gathered around the table,
There’s room enough for all of us.
Where strangers become friends.
And friends become family.”
Magnolia Journal, Summer 2020. Joanna and Chip Gaines.

Let’s spread faith not fear. Happy Weekend!

For 4 sandwiches:
8 slices favorite bread
2 cups grated Colby jack cheese
1/2 cup sliced cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped sweet onion
Kernels from 3 ears corn, sautéed or grilled until tender 
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup pimento cheese
2 Tbs soft butter

Mix together Colby jack, tomatoes, onion, corn, salt, and pepper.
Spread on 4 slices bread.
Top with dollop pimento cheese; spread to edges.
Spread butter on all other sides of bread.
Grill or sauté 3 or more minutes per side.

*Try my homemade pimento cheese recipe here!

This is your starting point, just placed on the griddle. I use my George Foreman Rapid Grill for tasks like this all the time. It’s so simple!