Grilled halloumi sandwiches with tender veggies, flavorful herb sauce, and toasty seeded buns. A delicious, summery dinner that is perfect for Meatless Mondays!
1/2jalapeño,roughly chopped + seeds removed, if desired
3ctender green herbs(parsley, cilantro, basil, dill, tarragon, oregano, and/or chives)
1tsplemon zest
2tbslemon juice
1tbsred wine vinegar(or more lemon juice)
1/3colive oil
1tspKosher salt
Freshly cracked black pepper,to taste
Halloumi Sandwiches
8ozpackage of halloumi cheese,sliced into 8-12 pieces
2bell peppers,cut into thick slices
1zucchini,halved and cut into 8 thin planks
1tbsolive oil
1 1/2tsporegano
4seeded buns,halved
Salt and pepper,to taste
Mayo or plain Greek yogurt,optional
Equipment
Grill or grill pan
Instructions
Herb Sauce
Place the shallot, garlic cloves, and jalapeño into the bowl of a food processor (or blender). Pulse a few times, scraping down the sides of the bowl every once in a while, until the mixture is broken up into small chunks.
Add the herbs, lemon zest, lemon juice, and red wine vinegar. Process, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally, until you have a fine mixture.
While the food processor (or blender) is running, slowly drizzle the olive oil into the herb mixture until you have a smooth sauce. Add the salt and pepper and blend for another few seconds. Taste, and add more salt and pepper if desired. Set aside.
Halloumi Sandwiches
Preheat your grill over low heat. Spray with nonstick spray, if desired.
Meanwhile, brush your halloumi slices and vegetable planks with the olive oil. Season with salt, pepper, and half of the oregano. Flip over the halloumi slices and vegetable planks, and repeat on the second side.
Start grilling your bell peppers. After about 3-4 minutes, add the zucchini planks and halloumi slices to the grill. Cook until the veggies are soft, but tender, and have light char marks, about 5-6 minutes per side for the peppers and 3-4 minutes per side for the zucchini and halloumi. During the last minute, place your buns cut-side down on the grill until toasty, about 30 seconds-1 minute.
To assemble, spread about 1/2 Tablespoon of the herb sauce on each side of the bun. Add a little mayonnaise or Greek yogurt if desired. Stack 2-3 slices of halloumi on the bottom bun. Layer 2 zucchini planks and 2-3 slices of bell pepper over the halloumi and finish with the top bun. Enjoy!
Notes
If you don't have a grill or grill pan, you can just sear the veggies and halloumi over medium heat in an oiled pan on the stove.I use a mix of cilantro, parsley, and sometimes basil, but any tender green herb will work in this sauce.