Grilled Halloumi Cheese

I love cheese in any form. Aged, smoked, crumbled, processed (even Provel): all a-ok with me under the right circumstances. I recently tried cheese in a form I'd never had before: grilled. Not slapped between two pieces of bread and toasted on a pan, cooked on an actual grill, by itself. Guess what? Turns out that I like cheese prepared that way too. Not just any kind of cheese will work for this, however. You need something with a high melting point, like Halloumi, which originates from Cypress,  Served with grilled tomatoes over watermelon it makes for a nice end of summer appetizer and helps use up any remaining basil and mint you might have lying around.

Grilled Halloumi with Watermelon and Basil-Mint Oil (adapted from Bon Appétit)
Servings: 4

Ingredients

1/2 cup fresh basil
3 tablespoons fresh mint plus a few thinly sliced leaves for garnish
1 garlic clove
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil plus more for brushing
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3/4 pound cherry tomatoes
1 8-9-ounce package Halloumi cheese, cut into 8 slices
8 small triangles thinly sliced watermelon, rind removed

Directions

Build a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill, or heat a gas grill to high. Purée basil, 3 tablespoons mint, and garlic in a blender. Add 1/2 cup oil and blend until well combined. Set a strainer over a small bowl; strain, pressing on solids. Season with salt and pepper.

Brush grill rack with oil. Drizzle 2 tablespoons basil-mint oil over tomatoes and cheese; season with salt and pepper. Grill tomatoes, turning occasionally, until charred and bursting, about 4 minutes.

Grill cheese until nicely charred in spots and beginning to melt, about 45 seconds per side.

Arrange melon on a platter. Top with cheese and tomatoes. Drizzle remaining herb oil over; garnish with sliced mint.

I've been really loving Bon Appétit lately. It's my current favorite food magazine. Lots of delicious recipes and great food photos and very approachable for amateur cooks. It would make a great gift for any food lovers you know.