Description
This Ultimate Cypriot Halloumi Sandwich features golden-fried halloumi cheese layered with fresh tomato, lettuce, olives, red onion, and fragrant oregano, all nestled inside toasted bread with a tangy Talatouri sauce made from cucumber, yoghurt, lemon, and herbs. A perfect combination of savory, fresh, and creamy flavors delivering a delicious Mediterranean-inspired meal that’s quick to prepare and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Sandwich Ingredients
- 1 bread roll or focaccia bread
- ½ pack of halloumi, sliced
- 1 tomato, sliced
- 2 lettuce leaves
- handful of black olives, halved
- ½ red onion, finely sliced
- 5 sprigs of oregano, finely sliced
Talatouri Sauce
- ¼ cucumber, grated and squeezed to remove excess liquid
- 2 tablespoons plain yoghurt or Greek yoghurt
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 5 sprigs of fresh mint, finely chopped
Instructions
- Prepare Talatouri Sauce: In a small bowl, combine grated cucumber (with excess liquid squeezed out), plain yoghurt, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, pepper, salt, and finely chopped fresh mint. Stir well until the sauce is smooth and flavors meld. Set aside so the flavors develop.
- Prepare Sandwich Ingredients: Slice the tomato, finely slice the red onion, halve the black olives, tear or wash the lettuce leaves, and finely slice the oregano. Set all aside so you can assemble quickly.
- Cook Halloumi: Heat a pan over medium heat and drizzle with a little olive oil. Add the sliced halloumi and fry for about 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crisp. Remove from the pan and set aside ready for assembly.
- Toast Bread: Lightly toast the bread roll or focaccia to your preference to add texture and warmth.
- Assemble Sandwich: Spoon a generous amount of the Talatouri sauce onto the toasted bread. Layer the fried halloumi slices on top, followed by red onion, tomato slices, halved olives, oregano, and lettuce leaves. Place the other piece of bread on top to complete the sandwich.
- Serve: Serve immediately and enjoy the warm, fresh, and creamy flavors of this Cypriot classic sandwich.
Notes
- To remove excess moisture from the grated cucumber, wrap it in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze to avoid a watery sauce.
- You can substitute the bread roll or focaccia with pita or ciabatta for variation.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of chili flakes to the Talatouri sauce.
- Halloumi crisps best on medium heat; avoid high heat to prevent burning.
- This sandwich is best eaten fresh to preserve the crispness of the bread and halloumi texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Cypriot
Keywords: Halloumi sandwich, Cypriot sandwich, Mediterranean sandwich, Talatouri sauce, grilled halloumi, vegetarian sandwich
