Halloumi Caponata

This Sicilian style caponata will tingle your tastebuds! A delicious mixture of flavour and texture, making sure you never get bored of the meals you’re eating!

Halloumi Caponata

What is a caponata?

A caponata is a Sicilian style dish which consists of chopped veg, seasoned with olive oil, tomato sauce and capers. The addition of your favourite veg and the halloumi cheese is what makes this variant of a caponata your own.

It was named a caponata because of the traditional pairing with Mahi Mahi which was called ‘Capone’ in ancient Sicilian dialect, however some believe that the name originates from the Greek word ‘Capto’ which means ‘cut’.

Halloumi

Originating from Cyprus, halloumi is a traditional Cypriot semi-hard pasteurised cheese which is traditionally made with a mixture of goat and sheep milk. Eventually, some producers of halloumi started to add cow milk to the mix. Halloumi is known to most of us by it’s Greek name, but is also known by it’s Turkish name which is ‘hellim’.

Halloumi is an unripened cheese that is white in colour with a slight firm and creamy texture. When raw, it is stored in it’s natural juices and traditionally wrapped in fresh mint leaves to preserve it. Today, in commercially produced halloumi, the cheese is not wrapped in mint, however mint is typically added for flavour.

How does halloumi get it’s squeak?

If you’ve tried halloumi, you are probably familiar with it’s characteristic squeak! That squeak starts with the rennet, which is used to curdle the milk during production. The protein and rennet in halloumi are what give it it’s signature squeak, a result of the long protein strands rubbing against the enamel of your teeth!

More delicious recipes:

If you do decide to make this delicious fakeaway, be sure to take a snap and tag me on Instagram! @thesliceofjess

*Calorific values may change depending on brand of food used*

Halloumi Caponata
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Halloumi Caponata

Recipe by The Slice of Jess
Servings

2

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

30

minutes
Calories

474

kcal

Ingredients

  • 125g Halloumi Cheese

  • 1 Chicken Breast

  • 1 Red Pepper

  • 1 Small Onion

  • 4 Mushrooms

  • 2 tbsp Capers

  • 200g tin Chopped Tomatoes

  • 1/2 tsp Paprika

  • 1 tsp Oregano

  • Spray oil

Directions

  • Spray your pan with spray oil and fry the onion for about 10 minutes, add in the oregano.
  • Add the chicken & red pepper, frying for a further 5 minutes until the chicken is cooked and the pepper is soft.
  • Add the mushrooms and cook together for 5 minutes.
  • Sprinkle over the paprika and add the capers, stir well and then add the chopped tomatoes.
  • Simmer for a further 5-10 minutes, then turn the heat off and leave in the pan.
  • Spray another pan and put the cubed halloumi in, cooking until brown.
  • Put the caponata into a bowl and add the halloumi on top.

Last updated: 6th January 2022