A family member and I had a conversation this week about the fact that we like to do things right. As in, we find it difficult to do personal photocopies at work if we’re not supposed to, or tell a friend we’ve got a headache when we haven’t to get out of going somewhere we don’t want to. Apart from anything else, the stress of the worry of being found out is just too much for us. Total lightweights – but not in a bad way, I suppose.
We also had a bit of a laugh about the fact that on the very (very) few occasions that we do end up doing something ‘naughty’ along these lines … you can bet we’ll end up getting caught (I know, it’s no doubt the extreme guilty and/or nervous expression we have on our faces). For instance … there was a time a while ago, while I was still living in Greece, when I didn’t buy my usual monthly travel card for the metro because I’d been on holiday that month and wouldn’t get my full use of it. Instead, I bought some tickets for individual journeys. All very well, but … well, one day I totally forgot to stamp my ticket before boarding, as you’re supposed to. And … of course … that one time that I did that, I happened to notice the ticket inspectors waiting to board a train about half way through my journey. Instead of acting cool and hoping they didn’t get on my particular train, what did I do? Well, totally stupid me panicked and jumped off the train right then and there to try to stamp my ticket and then get back on. But (duh), the inspectors were looking for exactly that kind of ‘shifty’ behaviour and immediately pounced on me, asking to see my ticket. Result? Here’s your fine, Madam, because why should we believe that you forgot to stamp the ticket and didn’t do it on purpose. Too bad and don’t do it again.
So, Greek bureaucrats are not really so good at giving you the benefit of the doubt in these kinds of circumstances. Unless of course you’re a friend of the uncle of the son of the particular bureaucrat you’re dealing with. When, as you can imagine, things can be a little bit different. But we’d better not go into too many more details about that kind of thing!
Another thing that I found the Greeks generally didn’t do so well was Mexican – or at least Mexican-inspired food (sorry, Greece, it’s true. But I think we’ll let her off, seeing as Greece is rather a long way away from Mexico, and has her own delicious traditional foods!) Lately though I’ve noticed that some Greek restaurants have at least started to ‘play with’ their food a little and add subtle (and not so subtle) twists to traditional recipes.
So I guess in creating these halloumi and pineapple salsa tacos I took a little inspiration from this trend. You could say I’ve created a sort of Greek-Mex dish (very sort of, I know). I loved halloumi cheese while living in Greece, which is made in Cyprus but popular in Greece, too. If you didn’t know, halloumi is a little like mozzarella, but definitely saltier. Because it’s firmer as well, it lends itself beautifully to cooking because although it softens, it doesn’t melt. It also gets a wonderful crispy crust when you pan fry it in a tiny bit of olive oil. Mmmmm.
So for my tacos I fried slices of halloumi and then wrapped them in slightly crispy (because that’s how I like them) tortillas with avocado, a spicy tomato and pineapple salsa and a sweet chili and Greek yoghurt sauce.
The halloumi starts out white and firm … and ends up hot, golden and crispy! Mmmmmmm!
I tried this combination of ingredients both as tacos and the next day as a salad, and both ways were delicious. If you try making this, just try to find real Cypriot halloumi cheese (not any kind of supermarket own-brand imitation). As you can probably guess, I’m speaking from experience here. The imitation stuff is dry and yucky – so get the real deal!
P.S. Apologies if I haven’t visited your blogs this week or replied to your comments – I’ve been flying 10,000 km from one side of the world to the other, buying up entire home stores, attempting to move into an apartment in the UK … and then falling into bed beyond exhausted only to wake up a few hours later wide awake due to the dreaded jet lag. So I hope it’s easy to forgive me! 😉
Halloumi & pineapple salsa tacos
Ingredients
For the salsa & sauce
- 8 ounces finely chopped pineapple (most of one can)
- 2/3 cup finely chopped tomatoes I used about 5 ounces cherry tomatoes
- a few slices of finely chopped red onion
- 1 red chili optional
- 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro/coriander
- 2 tablespoons Greek yoghurt or sour cream if you prefer
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
The rest of the ingredients
- small tortillas of your choice
- 1 avocado sliced
- 1 ‘log’ of halloumi cheese sliced into about 1-cm-thick slices.
- a little olive oil for brushing
- 1 lime optional
Instructions
-
First, mix all of the salsa ingredients together and set aside. Also mix the Greek yoghurt and sweet chili sauce together and set aside.
-
Slice the halloumi into roughly 1cm-thick slices, brush the slices lightly on each side with a little olive oil, then heat up a frying pan and fry the halloumi for a few minutes on each side until golden and a little crispy. Keep the slices warm.
-
Prepare your tortillas to your liking (I heated them in a dry pan until warm and slightly crisp), then assemble your tacos. Start with a layer of avocado slices, then top with the halloumi slices, salsa and Greek yoghurt/sour cream sauce. If you like, squeeze a little lime juice over everything before folding up. Enjoy immediately.
Recipe Notes
Use the best quality halloumi you can find (an authentic Cypriot brand would be ideal!) Resist the urge to move the cheese around in the pan too much. Leave it for a couple of minutes before checking to see how it's doing and then ultimately flipping it over.
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Laura @ Raise Your Garden says
Sounds like you have had a crazy week Helen moving and all! Hope you get the chance to catch up on your sleep. And as always, I learn about new food from your blog….Never heard of halloum before but if it’s like mozz, it’s ok by me!! Now the pineapple salsa, I’ve tried that, bought some “homemade” stuff from an Amish store. Very good! Great combo. (but p.s. I guess I’m not surprised Greeks don’t make good Mexican food, hehe).
Helen says
Wow, I bet homemade stuff from an Amish store is gooood!
So happy you learn about food from my blog, Laura … and I really hope that you get a chance to try some halloumi some day, too. It’s pretty ‘trendy’ at the moment, so hopefully you can find some in the supermarket.
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
Welcome back Helen. I have been working on some Sierra Leonean tacos this week so I am in taco mode and loving these.
Helen says
Thanks so much for the welcome back, Bintu! 🙂 I can’t wait to see your Sierra Leonean tacos!!
[email protected] Eats says
Greek-Mex! Ha, I love it!! Your stories about what a “goodie goodie” you are had be giggling over my morning coffee because it is SO true! The one time I did that it was in Japan when I had actually bought a train ticket but I couldn’t find it. I could see the ticket inspector making his way up the aisle and I panicked, broke out into sweat and sat there with shifty eyes wondering what on earth to do. I jumped off the train at the next stop and OF COURSE he came after me! And because my Japanese isn’t great (I know, SO BAD because my parents are Japanese!) I couldn’t talk my way out of it!!
Helen says
That sounds like almost exactly the same experience as I had, Nagi! It sounds like Japanese train ticket inspectors are just as harsh as the Greek ones … haha! I speak Greek but obviously not well enough to talk myself out of my situation either – oh well, lesson learned for next time (although hopefully there isn’t a next time because that was really stressful!)
[email protected] Eats says
Oh, I just realised how wrong it was of me to leave a comment babbling about my experience when I meant to comment on the recipe!! I love this Mex-Greek idea! It’s really fresh, people LOVE haloumi (I am obsessed with it!) and it goes fabulously with salsa. So why on earth I haven’t made this before is beyond me – thanks for the idea!!
Helen says
You are so sweet! Don’t worry, I loved your ‘babbling’ comment 😉 But so glad you like the recipe, too. I love halloumi, too, especially when it’s really hot and crispy.
Julie | This Gal Cooks says
I’m about half and half on doing things I shouldn’t do vs following the rules. It depends on what it is. I may or may not have made personal photocopies at work before and when I was a teenager, my friends and I used to sneak these honey butter dinner rolls out of the buffet that we ate dinner at with my parents. They were SO good and it was an all you can eat buffet, so take it to go, right? LOL. We actually got caught by the manager one time. He happened to think we were being too silly and he ended up giving us a bag of the rolls to take along with us!
So let’s talk about these tacos. They look amazing, Helen! I’ve never had Halloumi and I don’t recall ever seeing it here in the US. I must be missing out cause it looks great. And if it’s like mozzarella, or just about any other cheese, then it’s totally for me!
Helen says
Just reading your comment has made me think that I was probably exaggerating a bit in my post and making myself sound like more of a ‘goody two-shoes’ than I actually am!! I’m sure I’ve done plenty of these little ‘naughty’ things in my time, too, especially ones related to food! I think that’s great that the manager gave you the dinner rolls. That’s definitely the better attitude in these cases – imagine if he’d called the police or something. How embarrassing to get arrested for taking honey butter dinner rolls!
Happy you like the tacos. With all the amazing Mex food in the US, I feel like a bit of a fraud calling anything I make ‘Mexican’!
[email protected] says
It’s a shame but I will confess that I have yet to try halloumi! Now you have made my desire grow since I need to make these amazing tacos at any cost!!
Helen says
Oh yes, Ami, you are definitely missing out! You have to try some grilled halloumi asap! 🙂
Mira says
Hi Helen, I love halloumi cheese and am really happy to see this recipe! So nice to use it in a Mexican inspired dish! I’m also a hugs fan of Greek food, so you definitely got me here. It is kind of nice that I live in Chicago now and there are many Greek restaurants and even stores, where I can get Halloumi cheese. Saving the recipe and will try it! On your confession, I agree, I’m the same way, if I ever decide not to do something right , I regret it later!
Helen says
Hello, Mira! Glad I’m not the only one who’s a ‘goody two-shoes’ … haha! I’ve just moved back to the UK and wish I had a Greek shop where I’m living to go to to buy all my supplies. Luckily though Greece itself isn’t all that far away, so I could always just hop onto a plane … lol!
Kathleen @ hapanom says
I love your story – so funny! I don’t know what it is about riding trains in other countries – but I will work myself up into a big stress-case just thinking of all the things that could go wrong – this is in undoubtable due to my absolutely horrid sense of direction! Seriously – it’s pretty impressive how bad it is! In any event, I love fusion dishes! Halloumi is so delicious and I love that you’ve taken such a iconic Greek food and combined it with the Mexican food you had been craving. So creative and such wonderful flavors!
Helen says
Thanks for your lovely comment, Kathleen. It’s so great meeting new blogging friends! I think that foreign train inspectors etc. can be a bit too harsh with tourists. It’s hard to figure out the system just after you’ve arrived – although I wasn’t a tourist when this happened to me … lol!
So glad you like the tacos! This was definitely a bit of a Helen creation and I’m happy that it worked. 🙂
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
Greek-Mex…I love it, Helen! I don’t think I’ve ever eaten halloumi, but you’ve got me inspired to seek out the real deal and give it a try (in these tacos I might add. They look FAB!). Safe travels!
Helen says
Aw, thanks so much, Alyssa! I’m sure you could make some improvements to this recipe, too. I think I’m probably being a bit cheeky to suggest that these have anything at all to do with Mexico! lol!
Eva says
Je suis très contente pour toi Helen, tu est chez toi à nouveau ! C’est définitif o vous repartez à nouveau?
Ton histoire de bus ma fait rire, je crois que j’aurais eu la même réaction que toi….
Tacos! J’adore ça et celle-ci sont très original avec le halloumi que je n’arrive pas à trouver ici !
Bienvenue en Europe 😉
Helen says
Merc, Eva!
Ah, non! Vraiment tu peux pas trouver le halloumi en France??
Oui, je suis tres contente d’etre enfin chez moi … de nouveau!! J’espere que cette fois on sera la definitivement, mais ca pourrait changer … pour l’instant on essaie de vivre chaque jour sans le penser trop. 🙂
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
I need to try your tacos! Wow!
Helen says
I hope you do, Jocelyn!!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I’m somewhat similar to you, Helen! I do feel guilty if I don’t do things the right way, though I have used the headache excuse once or twice in my lifetime! 🙂 I love you you said Greek-Mex, sounds perfect! I haven’t tried halloumi before, but now I’m intrigued. I love the creative flavor of these tacos!
Helen says
Don’t worry, Gayle, I think I was probably exaggerating in this post a bit … I bet I’ve used the headache excuse too once or twice! I’m happy you like the sound of the Greek-Mex and really hope you get the chance to try halloumi some time. Then once you’ve tried it once you’ll be hooked!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
These look amazing! I love halloumi, especially with black beans in tacos. I will have to add some pineapple next time too.
Helen says
… and I will have to add some black beans! 😉
Glad you like these, Dannii!
marcie says
I can’t imagine there being Mexican food at all in Greece, let alone finding good Mexican food! I love Greek food, but when you’re in the mood for Mexican, there is no substitute. I have yet try Halloumi cheese. I’m seeing it in recipes all over, and I need to give it a shot! These tacos with that salsa sound delicious! 🙂
Helen says
I guess I didn’t think of it like that … haha! There are actually a few Mexican restaurants in Greece, though. Or at least in Athens. I really hope you get the chance to try some halloumi some time … the saltiness goes so well with the fruity salsa!
cheri says
Hi Helen, good luck getting the house in order, we just got back to Phoenix as well. been wanting to try halloumi cheese, this looks like the perfect recipe to begin.
Helen says
Thanks so much for the good wishes, Cheri! We’re getting there with the setting up etc. I hope you get settled back in quickly, too. Phoenix must be a big change from Oregon!
Please do try some halloumi cheese – I can’t wait to see what halloumi recipes you come up with!
Natalia says
Really interesting combination for this dish! I love love love halloumi. And I can TOTALLY relate to your story! It’s like that ONE time you don’t have a ticket, THEN they catch you. Only once has there been a ticket checker when I actually had a ticket. And of course when I was younger no one ever bought tickets if you were a student. I’ve pretended to be everything under the sun to avoid getting out of tickets. I think I posed as a French tourist once. But lesson learned: I always have a ticket now whenever I visit Greece!
Helen says
Well, Natalia, I’ve impressed that you managed to get away with your excuses, because I never seemed to manage it. I always had to pay the fine whatever excuse I gave. Maybe they have got stricter now – or, more likely, they need money!
Glad you like the halloumi (and know what it is!) It goes so well with the salsa!
whatjessicabakednext says
Wow, I’m so trying these next week! Love halloumi and love tacos, so I know I will love this recipe! Such a brilliant idea, Helen! Have a great weekend!
Helen says
Hi Jessica. So glad you like this … and, actually, so glad you even know what halloumi is (no one else seems to know!) I went shopping in Aldi yesterday (pretty impressed!) and they even had it there. Hope you try this recipe or something like it some time!
whatjessicabakednext says
Haha, I’ve been eating halloumi for as long as I can remember! Making your taco recipe tonight for dinner, going to hopefully blog about about it! Your recipe is the inspiration! 😀
Helen says
Well, in that case I feel VERY honoured! Let me know what you think! 🙂
Jess says
Really amazing, took your idea added sweet chilli sauce and roasted veggies! Photo on my IG 🙂
Helen says
So glad you liked it, Jess … going to check out your IG piccy! 🙂
lori @ TheHealthMinded.com says
From one goodie goodie to another . . . I can relate! I love how you always tie in a bit of who you are to to your recipes. Nice! I would make a horrible spy – I just can’t pull off the sneaky behavior either!
I have been meaning to try this cheese at home and, in fact, the first recipe I saw of yours had it in it! So, I must hunt this down because this looks so easy and so absolutely beautiful and delicious!
Good luck moving back home and adapting to the new time zone!
Helen says
Hi, Lori and thanks so much for your support. You always leave such a lovely encouraging comment! I’m glad I’m not the only goody-goody around here. I would be a terrible spy, too. I don’t think I’d last a day!
Do hunt down the halloumi, and let me know what you think. The key is to cook it to a crisp (but of course without burning it) and then eat it immediately while it’s still hot.
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods says
This sounds really yummy. I love to experiment with combining different cultures foods. These tacos look so delicious!
Helen says
Thanks, Cindy! I really hope you get the chance to try some halloumi some day … it has to be cooked well, though, and eaten immediately to get that wonderful hot crispy effect.
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
So you’ve moved? Congratulations, and wow, you must be totally exhausted…I was tired enough moving across town last time, let alone across the world!
These tacos look delish, I’ve never had the pleasure of tasting Haloumi, but it sounds like something I would love!
Helen says
Thanks so much for the congrats, Denise. Yup, I’ve moved … or at least am in the process still of moving. It’s beyond exhausting, to the point where I’m fitting in quite well with October’s approaching Halloween theme because I feel just like a zombie!
So many people are saying they’ve never tried halloumi … definitely missing out!!
Meggan | Culinary Hill says
New word in my vocabulary: Cypriot. Awesome! So, you poor dear with your conscience. I do agree, in most instances it is just easier to be honest because getting caught is never worth the fun. However, I am also a staunch believer in not doing things I don’t want to do. So if I don’t want to go out with a friend, I absolutely will not go, and yes it is best to be honest but I will fake a headache if it means I get to lounge around in my pi’s rather than go out when I don’t want to. But since I’m old and married with a toddler and another on the way, I have no such problems of people trying to take me out to do fun things against my will. 😉 Thank you for the info on the halloumi cheese. You used it recently in another recipe, and I’ve seen it elsewhere, and I was thinking WTF is that?! But now I know, and I’ll be sure to look for the CYPRIOT kind! Hope you feel settled in your new locale soon. 🙂
Helen says
Ha! That’s hilarious that I taught you a new word! I guess we hear that word over here a bit more than you do over there … understandably!
I totally agree that you shouldn’t do things you don’t want to … if you can at all avoid it. Life’s too short, hey? I’ve just got better over the years at saying no and not feeling bad about it. I find being honest about my reasons never seems to upset anyone, and if it does without my knowledge, well then too bad!
Please do try the halloumi cheese. I didn’t know that it wasn’t popular over there in the USA. Maybe I can start off a trend and it’ll be the next big thing 🙂
Joanne says
Haha…of course it’s always those kinds of impulsive behaviors that end up getting us in the most trouble! And no, I don’t suppose the Greeks make very good tacos. But FUSION tacos with halloumi?! Sounds amazing to me!
Helen says
That’s a good way to look at it – impulsive = riiiisky!
Glad you like my Greek-Mex fusion tacos, Joanne! 🙂
Mary Frances says
Oh snap! Bless your heart Helen, I’m pretty sure I would’ve done the same thing. I forgot my license while driving once and was immediately assuming all the officers knew I didn’t have it … thank goodness nothing happened 🙂
These tacos are redefining my idea of a good taco! Love that pineapple!
Helen says
Ohhhh … that happened to me too as well … in Greece again … and I DID get stopped! That time I’d just arrived in Greece so they couldn’t be bothered with me because I didn’t speak the language yet. Phew!
Thanks for calling this a good taco! I feel very much like a taco ‘newbie’, so I was pretty proud of this first attempt!
Lillli @ Sugar and Cinnamon says
Halloumi in a taco is such a great idea! And it would taste so good with pineapple salsa I can just imagine 🙂
Helen says
Hi, Lilli! Thanks so much – I hope you get to taste something similar some time and see for yourself!
Nora @ Savory Nothings says
I know that situation – forgetting to stamp your ticket can happen soooo easily M&S they usually don’t care if you explain you just forgot – no ticket is no ticket 🙁 It’s so frustrating!
Those tacos on the other hand… Yum! I love Halloumi (and Greek food in general) – what a great idea to make a Mexican fusion!
Helen says
Hi, Nora! I know – definitely frustrating! (and expensive – haha!)
So glad you like the tacos – they were pretty tasty!
Zainab @Blahnik Baker says
Tacos!!! With halloumi? Oh man! I love these!!
Helen says
Thanks, Zainab! 🙂
Shashi @ runninsrilankan says
Moving is no fun at all! I hope you get everything done – don’t worry, we will be here for when you are all moved and settled!
Helen, it’s so funny how the one time you innocently “stray” from doing the right thing, you get busted!!! Ahh…if only you had some of these halloumi tacos, you might have been able to bribe your way out of a fine!
🙂
Good luck moving!
Helen says
Now there’s a thought … bribing with food! What an excellent thought 😉
Thanks so much for the good wishes, Shashi. Getting ourselves sorted now … still lots to do but the basics are done. 🙂
[email protected] The Gastronomic Bong says
These tacos look absolutely amazing. . I love the greek mex fusion of flavours going on here… Delicious! !
Helen says
Hi, Arpita … and thanks! So glad you liked this 🙂
Melanie @ Bon Appet'Eat says
Ahaha you are too funny! I totally know what you talking about, i have some friends that you can read on their face that they are not doing the “right” thing, you know what I mean. I have a better poker face, chuuuut, don’t tell 🙂
Your tacos look soooo good, it’s 3pm here and I would love to try one now (pour le gouter!), I have to look for this chees, we are cheese lovers and never try it. Yet!
Good luck with your new home and life in UK!
Helen says
Thanks so much for the good wishes, Melanie. I’m afraid I don’t have a good ‘poker face’ at all – I would be the friend whose face you could read immediately … hahahaha!
Please do try to look for some halloumi – it’s delicious and would make a fantastic ‘gouter’!
Ashley says
haha oh man, I feel soooo guilty whenever I say I have a headache or something to get out of plans. And I always feel the need to make up for it somehow!
These tacos sound wonderful! And whoa – moving! Good luck getting settled! Moving is always so exhausting!
Helen says
I suppose that just means you have a conscience … so it’s a good thing really!
Thanks so much for the good wishes. Things are still a bit chaotic and stressful over here, but we’re getting there … slowly!
Liz says
I have just started to see halloumi in the markets here…and now I know what to do with it! What a fun recipe!
Helen says
I’m so surprised that halloumi is only just taking off over there. It’s been in supermarkets here for at least 20 years or so. Anyway, yes, now you know what to do with it when you try it. It’s great threaded onto skewers with veggies, too!
Tandy | Lavender and Lime says
So glad for you that the big move has finally happened. I always tell the truth as that way I don’t have to think too hard when asked to remember something 🙂
Helen says
Ha … that’s a good way to look at it, Tandy! I think I would drop myself in it pretty quickly if I lied about something … 🙂
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
I’ve been wanting to try halloumi… and still haven’t! Can you believe it?! My life has been halloumi-less for way too long! These look incredible! LOVE me some tacos!!!
Helen says
Oh, your life has DEFINITELY been halloumi-less for too long! Get yourself some to try asap, Chris!
Helen says
Oh, you’ve just GOT to try it soon, Chris. Apparently it’s trendy at the moment, and you don’t want to miss that cool and trendy halloumi gravy train, do you now? 😉
Kathy @ Olives & Garlic says
I have never tried haloumi. I think… But it must start with these tacos. I can relate to having friends like this as well.
Helen says
Do try it asap, Kathy!! It’s delicious and goes so well with this kind of salsa … 🙂
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Pineapple salsa is a favorite of mine and halloumi is so trendy now! Love this awesome combo… Mexican is my fave 🙂
Helen says
Well, I’m happy to hear that you’ve heard of halloumi … and tried it? Many readers have never tried it, which I was surprised by. So glad you like this!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
Serriiiously drooling reading your description! These tacos sound to die for, and you make me want to go out and make them for second dinner right now. I love halloumi when I was living in London, but haven’t had it since I’ve been back! Pinned!
Helen says
Thanks so much for pinning, Rachel. Second dinner – I like it!!