Beer battered halloumi and pea puree

Saturday night in with the Voice finale on the box called for some good old British take-away fare. There is nothing more satisfyingly hearty and delicious than fish and chips. Of course, I was not going to have fish, so I replaced the fish, or rather the protein part of the dish with halloumi. It was also not bought in, but rather cooked at home. 


My approximation of mushy peas took the form of a simple, but fresh pea puree accompanied by giant roasted potato wedges with the skin on; all the nutrients being in the skin (and also they're less fatty, as let's face it, I was frying cheese!). With dinner sorted, we prepared to be amazed and surprised by the winning act on the show.

What you will need

For the battered halloumi
1 pack of halloumi cheese

35g plain flour

35g cornflour

1 tea spoon baking powder

1/2 tea spoon turmeric

50ml beer

50ml sparkling water

 

 

For the pea puree

150g green peas
Fresh mint
Fresh lemon

Combine the flour, cornflour, baking powder and turmeric in a large bowl, season, then spoon 1 table spoon onto a plate and set aside. Gradually pour the beer and water into the bowl, stirring with a wooden spoon until you have a smooth, lump-free batter. Leave to rest for 30 mins while you prepare the chips and halloumi.

Slice the halloumi into six large slices. Roll each slice in the reserved tumeric flour, before dipping in the batter and then frying in hot oil for 2-3 minutes until crisp and browned on both sides. Drain on kitchen roll.

Meanwhile cook the peas in boiling water for 5 minutes, drain and blend into a puree. This can be as thin as you like and even passed through a sieve, however, I wanted mine quite chunky in lieu of actual mushy peas. Squeeze over a tea spoon of lemon juice, season with plenty of salt and pepper and stir through.


Serve the fried halloumi with the pea puree and whichever type of 'chip' you have opted for.

I truly feel there should be a national campaign with chip shops to offer this dish to us vegetarians as a standard alternative to fish with chips; because no, I don't want a spring roll or a caribbean vegetable pattie - give me some fried cheese please!