Halloumi And Couscous Cakes Recipes

HALLOUMI AND COUSCOUS CAKES

Steps:

• Place the couscous, haloumi, lemon zest and parsley in a food processor and process for 1 minute or until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs; then shape 1/4 cups of the couscous mixture into round cakes.
• Heat a non-stick pan over a medium heat; add the oil; cook the cakes in batches for 2-3 minutes each side or until golden; transfer the finished cakes onto a plate lined with absorbent paper towelling, and keep warm while you cook the remaining cakes.
• SERVING SUGGESTION: Serve the haloumi and couscous cakes with baby spinach leaves and slices of smoked salmon with lemon slices. If you like a dressing on your salad, Donna Hay combines 2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and tosses the smoked salmon slices and baby spinach leaves in the dressing to combine, and serves it with lemon wedges.
• NOTES: Suggested quantities - in the original recipe - for the side salad: 7 ounces (200g) smoked salmon slices, 21/2 (70g) ounces baby spinach leaves. On Donna Hay's website - http://www.donnahay.com.au/ - is a conversion table and a list of commonly used ingredients - and what they are generally called in Australia and America. In many cases, I think we actually use what she has said is the American name and in some cases, the recipes on Zaar use what she has said is the Australian name! Curious! But some of these "translations" of terms and names could well be useful!

HERBED COUSCOUS CAKES WITH CHEESE

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, using your hands, mix the couscous, eggs, parsley, onions, basil, cheese, lemon zest, and salt and pepper.
• Sprinkle the mixture with the flour and mix again.
• Form the cakes to the size you want, I made cakes about 2" round.
• Heat the olive oil in a skillet and fry the cakes until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes on the first side and 2 minutes on the other side.
• Remove from the pan and let them drain on paper towels to remove some of the oil before plating up.
• Salt and pepper again to taste.

COUSCOUS CAKES WITH TOMATO-GARLIC RAGOUT

Steps:

• Put the water into a saucepan over high heat.
• When the water comes to a boil, add the salt, pepper, and couscous.
• Remove the pan from the heat, cover it, and let it sit undisturbed for 5 minutes.
• Fluff the couscous by lightly running a fork or whisk back and forth in the pan, starting with the top layer and gradually working your way down.
• In a large bowl, whisk the eggs; slowly whisk in the flour.
• With a spoon, stir in the parsley and the blue cheese.
• Add the couscous and chill the batter for 30 minutes.
• SAUCE:.
• In a medium saucepan, heat 1 Tbsp olive oil; add the onion.
• Sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the garlic and sauté for 5 minutes more.
• Add the tomatoes, white wine, and water.
• Let the ragout simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until it has the consistency of a thick sauce.
• Season it with salt and pepper and keep it warm.
• When the couscous mixture has cooled, heat a large skillet with 1 Tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat.
• When the oil is hot, drop couscous batter onto the skillet to form 3-inch cakes.
• Sear them on one side for about 3 minutes, or until the undersides are golden brown.
• Flip them with a spatula and sear them on the other side, for about 3 minutes.
• Remove the cakes to a plate and add more batter to the pan.
• Continue making cakes until all the couscous batter is used.
• You should have 3 cakes per person.
• Serve the cakes hot on top of the warmed tomato-garlic ragout.