Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto and Grilled Halloumi
**Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto and Grilled Halloumi** This dish is a delicious and easy way to enjoy the flavors of summer. The sun-dried tomato pesto is bright and flavorful, and the grilled halloumi adds a salty, savory touch. This dish is perfect for a light lunch or dinner, and it can be easily customized to your liking. **Ingredients:** - 1 pound pasta - 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes - 1/2 cup olive oil - 1/4 cup pine nuts - 1/4 cup basil leaves - 2 cloves garlic - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 1 tablespoon lemon juice - Salt and pepper to taste - 1 block halloumi cheese, sliced
**The Backstory:** This recipe was inspired by a trip I took to Cyprus a few years ago. I was immediately drawn to the Cypriot cuisine, which is a unique blend of Greek, Turkish, and Middle Eastern flavors. One of my favorite dishes was a simple pasta dish with sun-dried tomato pesto and grilled halloumi. The flavors were so bright and flavorful, and the dish was so easy to make. I knew I had to recreate it when I got home. When I started developing this recipe, I wanted to make sure that it was as authentic as possible. I used traditional Cypriot ingredients, such as sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, and halloumi cheese. I also took the time to perfect the pesto, making sure that it was flavorful and well-balanced. The result is a dish that is both delicious and authentic.
Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto and Grilled Halloumi Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto and Grilled Halloumi Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto and Grilled Halloumi Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto and Grilled Halloumi
Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 15 | Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 pound pasta
  • 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • 1/4 cup basil leaves
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 block halloumi cheese, sliced
Instructions
  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, make the pesto. In a food processor, combine the sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, pine nuts, basil leaves, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Heat a grill pan or grill over medium heat.
  4. Grill the halloumi slices for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and slightly crispy.
  5. Drain the pasta and add it to a large bowl.
  6. Add the pesto to the pasta and toss to coat.
  7. Top with the grilled halloumi and serve immediately.
Why It Works
  • **The sun-dried tomato pesto is bright and flavorful.** The sun-dried tomatoes give the pesto a sweet and tangy flavor, while the basil and garlic add a fresh and herbaceous note. The pine nuts add a nutty richness, and the Parmesan cheese rounds out the flavor with a salty umami note.
  • **The grilled halloumi adds a salty, savory touch.** The halloumi is a semi-hard cheese that has a high melting point. This means that it can be grilled without melting, and it develops a delicious golden brown crust.
  • **The combination of the pesto and the grilled halloumi is irresistible.** The bright and flavorful pesto pairs perfectly with the salty and savory halloumi. The result is a dish that is both delicious and satisfying.