Harissa Fried Halloumi Panini

Upgrade your grilled cheese with Halloumi. Then add the heat with North African harissa. You could also grill these on an indoor grill pan over medium heat.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 558 Calories

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• ¼ teaspoon salt, divided
• 1 medium yellow bell pepper, chopped
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
• 1 red onion, cut into thin wedges
• 2 tablespoons harissa sauce, or more to taste
• 8 (1/4 inch thick) slices eggplant
• 8 ounces halloumi cheese, cut into 8 slices
• 8 slices multigrain seeded sandwich bread
• 4 tablespoons softened butter

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add bell pepper and onion; cook until very tender, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a separate skillet. Stir in harissa sauce.

Step 2

Brush both sides of eggplant slices with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Sprinkle with 1/8 teaspoon each salt and black pepper. Add 1/2 of the eggplant slices to the skillet. Cook until browned and tender, about 3 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining slices; keep warm.

Step 3

Sprinkle Halloumi with remaining 1/8 teaspoon each salt and black pepper. Add 1/2 of the Halloumi to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining slices.

Step 4

Layer eggplant slices, bell pepper mixture, and Halloumi on 4 bread slices. Top with remaining bread slices. Spread outsides of sandwiches with butter.

Step 5

Transfer 2 sandwiches to the large skillet; cover sandwiches with a plate weighted with cans of food. Cook until heated through and toasted, about 2 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining sandwiches.