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Making of Anari
This article follows up from the The making process of Lysiotiko Halloumi article. It fills the gap between the steps of cooling the curd and “cooking” it, and shows the process of making Anari.
Anari is a soft-cheese and it is a by-product of the halloumi making process. When the halloumi curd is collected, the left over whey is heated gradually while periodically stirring it. The curds of anari start forming on the surface of the whey. Once the whey boils and the anari curd starts breaking it can be collected. The anari is then strained and let to cool down. It is salted and can be consumed fresh within 4-5 days if kept refrigerated. Else, it can be dried for future consumption. It should be noted here that the addition of some sheep or goat milk during the heating of the whey will increase the quantity of the anari collected substantially, but not necessarily the quality as some sources imply.
The anari is usually consumed at breakfast, with coffee, as a snack or as a side to other dishes. Dried anari can also be grated and used on pasta. Anari is also used in the making of many traditional sweets such as Mpourekia and Anaropitta.
Another popular way to consume Anari is as “Anari tis Koupas” that is “Anari in the bowl”. This refers to the consumption of anari right after it is collected, before it is strained, still highly rich in whey. It is very delicious and a highly regarded delicacy. Sugar is added according to preference.
The making process of Lysiotiko Halloumi: a video
Some time ago I promised that I would try and get a hold of a video showing the making process of Lysiotiko Halloumi. Well this time is here… On my last trip to Cyprus this summer I made the video. And here it is… the making of Lysiotiko Halloumi…
The video gives an overview of the traditional process of making Halloumi, as it has been passed through generations to the descendants of Lysi. The process varies from region to region, hence, the different tastes of traditional Halloumi across Cyprus. Lysiotiko Halloumi separates from the others in terms of its color (it is more reddish), and for me personally, superiority in taste, either fresh or aged.
It should be recalled here that the traditional halloumi, is made only from sheep milk with the addition of some goat milk. The process shown in the video is not to be associated with commercially produced halloumi, where the process is optimized for efficiency, and cow milk is used.
The halloumi making process can be divided in9 steps:
- Milk collection (milking the sheep and goats)
- Addition of enzymes to form the curd
- Collection of the curd
- Forming and straining the curd
- Cooling of formed curd and simultaneously collecting Anari from boiling whey
- “Cooking” of curd to yield halloumi
- Cooling of halloumi
- Salting
- Consumption or aging of halloumi
The video begins at the collection of the curd and ends when the “cooked” curd (now halloumi) is laid to cool before it is salted. (On my next trip I will try and make a video of all 9 steps).
I hope this video is informative enough. It will not assist you in making Lysiotiko Halloumi, as the “secret of the trade” lies in the timing and temperatures, the experts say. But it is a start…
Halloumi, Eggs and Cauliflower: A Breakfast Approach
Halloumi, Eggs and Cauliflower: A Breakfast Approach
Today we will be exploring Halloumi as a breakfast, combined with eggs and cauliflower. Especially now that the summer is here, one can deviate from the hot breakfasts. Hence pulling the crunchy cauliflower out of the fridge right in the morning, combining it with saltiness and aroma of halloumi and blending it with the semi-soft boiled eggs is just sensational, a rocking combination! Of course you need to top it off with with frape to have the complete package.
Ingredients:
- Aged Halloumi
- Eggs
- Cauliflower
Preparation:
Boil the eggs to your liking, I would recommend semi-soft boiled. Slice the halloumi. Wash the cauliflower. Make a frape (I will soon be posting the process and right ingredients of making the frape) and spoil yourself with a Mediterranean breakfast sensation.
What do you think?
Lysiotiko Halloumi is twitting @twitter
Lysiotiko Halloumi is twitting @twitter…
Follow the Halloumi twitts @twitter to be up to date with the latest Halloumi recipes and information…
Enjoy…
Lysiotiko Halloumi on facebook
Lysiotiko Halloumi is on facebook!
Interact with Halloumi on facebook: join our group and share the taste of Halloumi with your friends with the Halloumi applcation…
Enjoy…
Split Goat Head with a Touch of Snails on the Skewer
Split Goat Head with a Touch of Snails on the Skewer
One delicacy from the traditional table of Cyprus… Split roasted goat head with a touch of snails on the skewer… This can be usually found at some specialized traditional taverns that serve “meze”…
split goat head with a touch of snails on the skewer
Halloutini: a Dirty Martini that is kind of cheesy
Halloutini: a Dirty Martini that is kind of cheesy
If you continue reading this article you certify that you are of legal drinking age in the country you are situated at this very point in time. If you fail to satisfy the age criterion, please try reading something else about halloumi. For example about the Hallouburger or the Hallouschetta. If you pass the age criterion, just continue reading and engage yourself in the creation and exploration of the Halloutini, the Dirty Martini that is kind of cheesy!
The Halloutini story:
I conceived the Halloutini a few years back. I have always been a big fun of the Dirty Martini and that is the only one I would ever have. One day I decided to go off the pattern and try something different. Going through the martini menu I realized that bar tenders where mixing almost everything. And there it was the Appletini. And that it was where it hit me! Why not to combine my favorite martini with my favorite cheese. Thus the birth of Halloutini. And today I decided to share it with everybody. Great things might be coming in small quantities but it doesn’t mean that they cannot be enjoyed by everybody.
The Halloutini is a Vodka Dirty Martini garnished with fresh Halloumi rather than just the traditional green olives.
Ingredients:
- Vodka (preferably some nice Russian vodka)
- Fresh Halloumi
- Green olives (here almond stuffed)
- Couple of ice cubes
Preparation:
Anticipate and have your martini glasses chilled. Usually I keep a couple together with beer mugs in the freezer. Cut the halloumi in cuboids of approximately the same size as the olives. Arrange the olives and halloumi on a small skewer. Add two ice cubes, the vodka, and about two table spoons of olive brine in the shaker. As James Bond said, “shaken, not stirred“. Shake them to chill them. Then strain in the martini glass, garnish with the halloumi and olives and enjoy the Halloutini: the Dirty Martini that is kind of cheesy!
What do you think?
Sushi Plate from One World Market
Here is a picture, unfortunately from a cell phone, of the sushi we enjoyed last week at One World Market in Novi. This is the freshest and best sushi in Michigan, and I bet one of the leaders in North America…
Salmon, Fatty tuna, Futomaki, Toro with onion.
Sushi plate at One World Market
Hallouschetta: a hybrid Bruschetta
Hallouschetta: a hybrid Bruschetta
As I mentioned last week, this time we will be using fresh (soft) halloumi. And since this weekend marks the beginning of the 2009 Formula 1 season I thought to travel a bit north-west in the Mediterranean to the motherland of the Cavallino Rampante. Of course after their performance in today’s race I do not know how Rampante they are, but definitely they are Italian.
So let us now watch Giulio explaining us how to prepare the traditional Italian Bruschetta…
Now that we have seen Giulio’s Bruschetta, I tell you…
Drop the Bruschetta and get with the Hallouschetta!
The Hallouschetta is based on the Bruschetta recipe, with the addition of Halloumi and some deviations in the preparation that fit my likings… I tried Giulio’s way as well, that is not baking the tomato, just putting it on top at the end, but I have to say, that the baked one is the one that suits my taste buds. There is thermal harmony…
Ingredients:
- Fresh Halloumi
- Bread
- Tomato
- Basil
- Garlic
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt
Preparation:
Slice the bread. Dice the halloumi and tomato. Chop the garlic and basil. Place the bread slices in a baking pan. Sprinkle them with olive oil. Spread some garlic. Put a layer of Halloumi. Then top with a layer of tomato (if you want to bake the tomato). Add the basil. Sprinkle with some more olive oil. Bake for about 10 minutes at around 350 deg. F or until the halloumi gets really soft. Pull it out from the oven. If you cose not to bake the tomato go ahead and add it with the basil… and then just enjoy it! Maybe with a frape alongside.
And this is the Hallouschetta, the hybrid bruschetta…
What do you think?
Halloumi, Tuna and Broccoli
Halloumi, Tuna and Broccoli
This recipe is also an easy one and quick. Perfect for a light but still fulfilling lunch. I am using aged Halloumi again as it is my personal favorite. And despite other people’s preferences I strongly believe that aged halloumi goes with everything, whereas fresh halloumi, at least in my plate, does not get along with tuna.
Ingredients:
- Aged Lysiotiko Halloumi
- Chunk Tuna
- Broccoli
- Tomato
- Lemon
Preparation:
Steam the broccoli. Drain your chunk tuna. Slice the halloumi. Slice the tomato. Lay them on the plate. Sprinkle the tuna with some lemon. Sprinkle the tomato and broccoli with salt. And then just get fulfilled but still feel light.
What do you think?
