Thursday, 4 April 2013

Hellimli - Cooking with Halloumi Cheese.


Despite the lack of hot cross buns at Saturday's Bodrum Hugs The World event, there were a lot of tasty dishes on offer. These lovely ladies representing Kıbrıs, introduced me to Hellimli, a cross between a cake and bread made with Halloumi cheese.  When I got home I fired up google to get the recipe and found about 20 different ways of making it. The only common ingredient was the cheese. Some recipes use yeast, some baking powder. Some favour oils, others butter. The hellimli I bought  had sultanas but most recipes didn't.  A few used no eggs, several used 3 or 4.  Not being a great follower of recipes anyway, I felt this gave me free reign to bake my own.  Every one from North and South Cyprus will probably throw up their hands in horror but this is Annie's Hellimli and even though I say so myself,  its delicious and very easy to make.

3.5 cups of wholemeal flour
1.5 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt and pepper
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup olive oil
1 medium egg
1 medium onion - finely chopped
250g Halloumi cheese - finely chopped
10 black olives, pitted and chopped
1/2 cup sultanas 

Mix the flour, salt and pepper, baking powder, onion, cheese, olives and sultanas in a bowl.  Whisk together the egg, milk and oil in a jug and then add to the bowl. Stir well to make a sticky dough. 
Grease and flour a baking tray and press the dough into a round about 4 cms thick.  Bake in the centre of an oven pre-heated to 190C (fan oven180C) for 25 to 30 minutes.  If the centre still looks a bit doughy, give it another 5 minutes. 


It was wonderful warm from the oven, but still good cold the next day.  I will be making another batch for the next picnic as it's tasty enough to eat by itself with a little chutney on the side. 

Afiyet olsun. 



 
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25 comments:

  1. Anonymous4 April 2013 at 23:48

    sounds delicious...wonder if I could make it with spelt (an ancient grain that traces its heritage back long before many wheat hybrids) or almond flour? and finding Halloumi cheese might be a bit of a problem...I'll have to see if there is an alternative in the USA! if I make it I'll let you know how it turns out :)

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    Replies
    1. BacktoBodrum5 April 2013 at 14:25

      I think it would work well with spelt, but not ground almonds.

      Delete
  2. Julia4 April 2013 at 23:51

    Ohhh, that looks interesting. We love helim but never knew you could make a bread / cake with it. Hmmm, might have to try that. Can't imagine the taste or the texture but it looks yummy! :)

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    Replies
    1. BacktoBodrum5 April 2013 at 14:26

      I've never thought of baking with it before.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous5 April 2013 at 00:08

    Sounds gorgeous.... I think I know where to buy wholemeal flour.

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  4. Janice5 April 2013 at 01:14

    This looks wonderful and sounds easy.... am I right in thinking you didn't give it any proving time before you baked it ? I'm definitely going to give this a go. J

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    Replies
    1. BacktoBodrum5 April 2013 at 14:27

      No proving time and as little handling as possible - a bit like scone mixture.

      Delete
  5. Unknown5 April 2013 at 06:33

    That looks really delicious and healthy - bread that will really stick to your ribs and keep you full. Sadly, none for me. I have to eat gluten and dairy free these days - I miss bread and cheese so much!!!

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  6. Ayak5 April 2013 at 07:45

    That really does sound delicious. I love unusual types of bread.

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  7. Jack Scott5 April 2013 at 13:14

    Delish!

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    Replies
    1. BacktoBodrum5 April 2013 at 14:29

      Whip one up for your post -anniversary celebration breakfast.

      Delete
  8. Moe5 April 2013 at 17:12

    That looks great! I'll have to give it a try someday. Afiyet olsun!

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  9. Westy5 April 2013 at 20:12

    That seems absolutely delicious Annie. Question is do I dare attempt to make it for my wife over the weekend? :)

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  10. Kathy5 April 2013 at 23:30

    That looks and sounds delicious, Annie, though I think the halloumi cheese might prove a problem to find here in rural Wales, and I haven't a clue what it looks or tastes like. Is there any British cheese which could be used as an acceptable substitute, do you think?

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    Replies
    1. BacktoBodrum6 April 2013 at 19:02

      Next time you are in a big supermarket pick up a couple of packets - they last a long time

      Delete
    2. Janice7 April 2013 at 13:24

      and I found some in the Co-op.... was Hebden Bridge though.J

      Delete
    3. cimen sevanc8 April 2013 at 00:03

      you can find it in most of the supermarkets.tescos or marks n spencers.

      Delete
  11. Erica (Irene)7 April 2013 at 14:24

    Yummy...this does sound delicious. Sounds even better with some chutney on the side..... Afiyet Olsun.

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  12. cimen sevanc8 April 2013 at 00:02

    Hi there!
    I'm very glad to hear you enjoyed my "Hellimli" so much to put it up on your blog:))
    I never use measurements but can give you an estimated one:)

    4 eggs
    750 gr flour
    A cup of yoghurt ( approx. 250lt)
    a cup of olive oil
    baking powder
    a packet of raisins ( small ones)
    fresh mint
    a tablespoonful dry mint
    2 packs of hellim cheese( one pack grated the other cubed)
    one big onion - chopped finely
    sesame seeds

    Mix all of them in a bowl. Put sesame seeds on top. bake it at 180 degrees.

    Afiyet olsun!!

    Çimen Sevanç

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  13. cimen sevanc8 April 2013 at 00:05

    ıf you addme on facebook I can send you the picture as the one you have is not Hellimli. It is Zeytinli ( made with olives):)

    ReplyDelete

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