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Recipe by Sina Mizrahi

Fried Haloumi Spaghetti with Basil-Mint Pesto

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Fried Haloumi Spaghetti with Basil-Mint Pesto
Dairy Dairy
Medium Medium
6 Servings
Allergens

Contains

- Gluten - Dairy - Wheat - Tree nuts
35 Minutes
Diets
- Vegetarian - Pescatarian

If you asked me what my favorite cheese is, I would not be able to pick just one, but I can assure you that haloumi would be a top contender. I enjoy the firm texture, and when fried, it yields a crispy, salty skin that’s irresistible. Using it to top this pasta, which has a fresh, creamy flavor from the pesto, makes for the perfect balance of flavors.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 1 (16-oz.) package spaghetti

  • 3 tablespoons butter

  • 1/2 cup grated pecorino or Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

  • 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives, roughly chopped

Haloumi Strips

Basil-mint Pesto

  • 1 cup shelled pistachios, plus additional for garnishing

  • 1 bunch basil leaves (approximately 10)

  • 1 bunch mint leaves (approximately 20)

Wine Pairing

Terra di Seta Meshi

Directions

Cook the Pasta

1.

Cook the pasta in a large pot filled with salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water. Drain the pasta and set aside.

2.

In the same skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add the reserved cooking water, pecorino, Kalamata olives, salt, and pepper and sauté for two to three minutes.

3.

Carefully stir in the pasta and cook until heated through. Transfer to a large bowl and mix with half the pesto, adding more if needed.

Fry the Haloumi Strips

1.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over a medium-high flame. Add the haloumi strips and fry without stirring until the bottoms of the strips are well browned.

2.

Using a spatula, flip the strips and fry on the other side until browned. Transfer to a plate. Pour out the remaining oil.

For the Pesto

1.

Blend the pistachios, mint, basil leaves, garlic, and olive oil in a blender or food processor.

2.

If the paste seems too thick, add more olive oil.

To Assemble

1.

To serve, layer the pasta, fried haloumi strips, and more pecorino. Serve hot.

Notes:

After eating some kinds of pecorino cheese one must wait six hours before eating meat. See more on this, including a list of all hard cheeses that require waiting, here.

Recipe tags

complete meal ideas haloumi healthy homemade sauce noodles olives pasta pesto pistachios Shavuos Sina Mizrahi spaghetti
Fried Haloumi Spaghetti with Basil-Mint Pesto

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