This sweet and savory combo is perfect for breakfast or brunch, but could also be part of a light spring lunch. The fresh basil pairs nicely with the other ingredients so it’s not overpowering. Halloumi is a slightly springy cheese that’s great for grilling and super photogenic- great for those Instagram food shots!
This recipe requires minimal prep time; the most intensive part of it is slicing the halloumi cheese. Make sure the slices are the same thickness so that they cook evenly. We recommend a sharp knife, a clean piece of string or unwaxed floss for precision. You can also keep the Panini grill halfway open to prevent the cheese from getting flattened.
Yields 1 serving of Blackberry Basil and Spinach Pressed Halloumi
The Preparation
- 4 ounces halloumi cheese
- 2 teaspoons mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup spinach
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, torn
- 0.8 ounce cucumber, sliced
- 6 whole blackberries, halved
The Execution
1. Pre-heat Panini press to medium.
2. Slice the halloumi cheese into equal rectangles.
3. Place the halloumi cheese on Panini press until it begins to brown.
4. Flip both pieces of cheese to brown the other sides.
5. Layer the mayonnaise, spinach, cucumber slices, torn basil, and sliced blackberries on one slice of cheese.
6. Place the other slice of halloumi cheese on top to create a sandwich.
7. Close the grill and press for about 1 minute. Turn off heat to the Panini press.
8. Remove the pressed halloumi from the grill. Top with any remaining berries and serve warm.
This makes a total of 1 serving of Blackberry, Basil and Spinach Pressed Halloumi. The serving comes out to be 424 calories, 32.4g fats, 4.9g net carbs, and 26.2g protein.
| NUTRITION | CALORIES | FAT | CARBS | FIBER | NET CARBS | PROTEIN |
| 4 ounce halloumi cheese | 340 | 25.3 | 2.5 | 0 | 2.5 | 25.1 |
| 2 teaspoon mayonnaise | 62 | 6.9 | 0.1 | 0 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| 1/4 cup spinach | 2 | 0 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.2 |
| 2 tablespoon fresh basil | 1 | 0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0 | 0.1 |
| 0.8 ounce cucumber | 3 | 0 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 0.2 |
| 6 whole blackberries | 15 | 0.2 | 3.5 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 0.5 |
| Totals | 424 | 32.4 | 7.2 | 2.3 | 4.9 | 26.2 |
Blackberry, Basil and Spinach Pressed Halloumi
Ingredients
- 4 ounce halloumi cheese
- 2 teaspoon mayonnaise
- ¼ cup spinach
- 2 tablespoon fresh basil torn
- 0.8 ounce cucumber sliced
- 6 whole blackberries halved
Instructions
- Pre-heat Panini press to medium.
- Slice the halloumi cheese into equal rectangles.
- Place the halloumi cheese on Panini press until it begins to brown.
- Flip both pieces of cheese to brown the other sides.
- Layer the mayonnaise, spinach, cucumber slices, torn basil, and sliced blackberries on one slice of cheese.
- Place the other slice of halloumi cheese on top to create a sandwich.
- Close the grill and press for about 1 minute. Turn off heat to the Panini press.
- Remove the pressed Halloumi from the grill. Top with any remaining berries and serve warm.
In the main photo it looks like there is a slice of halloumi in the centre also? I was hoping to make this today but not sure on amounts now.
It’s just been cut in half and stacked on top of each other.
Is there a 3rd piece of Halloumi in the center? Certainly looks like it and I am hoping to make this tonight.
There isn’t – the final photos are just stacked. I hope you enjoyed it! 🙂
Is there a substitute for the Halloumi cheese?
Any type of grilling cheese would work, though if you don’t have access to halloumi it will probably be difficult to find the other grilling cheese types as well.
This looks AMAZING…I hope I can find Halloumi cheese. I live in a cheese desert lol
If you find it, I hope you like the recipe! It’s a relatively common cheese, so if you call around to a few grocery stores, you’ll probably be able to find it.
Any suggestions if I don’t have a panini press?
You could do this in a pan, too. Just press the cheese down with a spatula. Only thing is you won’t have the grill marks (it should brown all over). Still will be very tasty!