Crispy Halloumi with Zaalouk

Zaalouk is a popular Moroccan cooked salad or dip with eggplants and tomatoes seasoned with paprika, cumin, garlic, and herbs. It's versatile, delicious with bold flavours and can be served warm or cold. Traditionally, zaalouk is served with crispy bread or flatbread, but to keep it low carb, I have paired it with some crispy, pan-fried Greek halloumi that works perfectly with the flavours of the well spiced eggplants and tomatoes.

2 Large eggplants, halved
3 Large tomatoes, finely chopped
4 Garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped
5 tbsp Olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
2 tbsp Tomato paste
2 tsp Cumin powder
2 tsp Paprika powder
1/2 tsp Dried chilli flakes
1 Bay leaf
100 ml Broth or water
1 tbsp Lemon juice
2-3 tbsp Coriander, finely chopped
300 g Halloumi, cut into ½ cm slices

Trim the stems from the eggplants and cut them in half lengthwise. Arrange the eggplant halves skin side up on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and place it directly under the broiler. Roast the eggplants for about 30 minutes, or until the skins are charred. Remove and leave to cool. Once cool, remove and discard the burnt skin. Finely chop the flesh.
Meanwhile, finely chop the tomatoes and garlic. Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over a medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Tip in the tomatoes, tomato purée, cumin, paprika, chilli flakes, bay leaf and broth or water. Mix well and bring it to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the tomatoes have broken down.
Tip the chopped eggplants into the sauce and season. Cover and cook for a further 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the sauce is thick. Add the lemon juice and coriander, and mix together.
Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a frying pan and fry the halloumi for 1-2 minutes each side until golden and crisp.
To serve, spread the zaalouk in a serving dish and top with halloumi. Give a final drizzle of olive oil and serve immediately.

31 comments:

DEZMOND 24/6/23 22:58: Sounds tasty, we do not have halloumi here.
Tom 24/6/23 23:03: ...I have egg plant in my garden. This is something to try this summer.
roentare 24/6/23 23:55: This is jam packed with antioxidants!
Brian's Home Blog 25/6/23 00:12: That looks super yummy, and very pretty too!
J.P. Alexander 25/6/23 03:52: Gracias por la receta lo hare pronto. Te mando un beso.
Citu 25/6/23 03:53: Gracias por la receta lo hare pronto. Te mando un beso. https://enamoradadelasletras.blogspot.com/
Lola Martínez 25/6/23 08:23: Que bueno el queso con esa salsa de berenjenas tan jugosa, no has podido preparar mejor combinación.
Margaret D 25/6/23 09:11: Sounds and looks good.
eileeninmd 25/6/23 11:48: Hello Angie,
Another yummy dish, I eggplant and this recipe looks delicious.
Thanks for sharing. Take care, have a great new week!
Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine 25/6/23 12:25: I love this gourmet spin on eggplant I bet it was off the charts delicious as it looks!
Cocoa and Lavender 25/6/23 15:24: We enjoyed zaalouk in many different restaurants in Morocco last month. I was very lucky that, in quite a few places - especially the riads where we stayed, the chefs were willing to accommodate my allergy to garlic so that I could try this wonderful dish. I now look forward to making your version with the halloumi! (Could it be that I can finally comment???)
Balvinder 25/6/23 16:01: This sounds so good and very much doable with easy to find ingredients. Love it!
My name is Erika. 25/6/23 17:14: I need to go look up Halloumi as I am not familiar with much Moroccan cooking. Thanks for sharing. hugs-Erika
Bill 25/6/23 17:36: Looks and sounds great!
Angie's Recipes 25/6/23 19:19: @Cocoa and Lavender YES :-) David, and thank YOU!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen 25/6/23 22:41: Wonderful! I love Zaalouk, and I think it was a great idea to combine it with halloumi.
Cooking Julia 25/6/23 23:38: I've never cooked halloumi. Your dish looks perfect!
Izaa 26/6/23 07:58: woow delicious
Javier 26/6/23 11:58: Everything you cook looks really good!
Yvonne @ Fiction Books Reviews 26/6/23 16:12: I'm not sure that I would like Halloumi, however the salad/sauce combination looks good and sounds yummy, so I might try it with chicken instead :)
valentina 26/6/23 18:13: I haven't hear of zaalouk, though halloumi is a favorite. Sounds like a super delicious pairing, and it looks so rich and comforting. :-) ~Valentina
COCINA Y REPOSTERÍA DE ANTAÑO 26/6/23 20:55: Hola Angie. Me encanta la combinación de ingredientes, te ha quedado un plato exquisito. Un beso 😘
Carol @Comfort Spring Station 26/6/23 21:02: It looks so exotic and tasty - pinned and tweeted
Sherry's Pickings 27/6/23 08:22: I love eggplants and i love halloumi. Winner dinner! :)
Federica Simoni 27/6/23 10:03: wow deliziose!
David 27/6/23 18:04: Angie, You lost me at "eggplant". Neither of us like it at all. The dish looks good though...as do almost all of your food presentations. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Rainbow Evening 27/6/23 19:56: look tasty... yummy
2pots2cook 28/6/23 10:34: New attractive way to serve halloumi. Love it !
tigerfish 30/6/23 00:45: The tomato base and spices is making me drool, and wonderful combination with crispy halloumi.
The-FoodTrotter 30/6/23 11:06: OMG it just looks insane I'm drooling! I need to replicate that recipe :o
Mbul Kecil 30/6/23 14:16: look so good and tasty with tomatoes condiment