Pan-Fried Halloumi with Mastiha | A Greek Island Twist from Athens #dianekochilas #Athenscookbook

Pan-Fried Halloumi with Mastiha | A Greek Island Twist from Athens

Crisp, golden, and aromatic — this Pan-Fried Halloumi with Mastiha is Greece on a plate. In this video, I bring you a quick, elegant meze straight from Athens, infused with the wild, pine-scented spirit of Chios Mastiha, one of Greece’s most treasured ingredients.

Mastiha, the natural resin from the mastic tree, adds a subtle herbal sweetness that balances the salty halloumi. Together, they create a flavor pairing that’s deeply Mediterranean — ancient and modern at once.

You’ll learn how to pan-fry halloumi until it’s perfectly caramelized and tender inside, and then glaze it with a light mastiha reduction. It’s ideal as a meze, a starter, or even a quick snack with ouzo or wine. The entire recipe takes under 10 minutes but delivers layers of texture and aroma.

💛 What You’ll Learn:

The simple Greek technique for pan-frying halloumi so it stays crisp, not rubbery

How to use mastiha — Greece’s “white gold” — in savory cooking

Balancing salty, sweet, and herbal flavors in classic Greek meze

Serving ideas: from ouzo-hour nibbles to modern Mediterranean platters

📍 From the Book: ATHENS: The Cookbook — a culinary journey through the modern Greek table.

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#GreekFood #Halloumi #Mastiha #GreekRecipes #MediterraneanDiet #AthensCuisine #GreekMeze #DianeKochilas

[Music] Ever heard of a cheese that melts with spirit? This one lives in the pages of Athens food stories love. This is my twist on the Greek classic saga. It’s for a pan fried halumi cheese with a splash of mastika leur. I start by heating a little olive oil in the pan. Then add slices of kalumi until they’re golden and crisp on both sides. And now for the magic. I grate in some orange zest. Pour in that fragrant masika leur and let it sizzle. The scent is piny, earthy, and intoxicating. A touch of fresh mint at the end, and I pour the whole glaze right over the cheese. This is the taste of modern Athens. Bold and a little unexpected. Find this recipe and the story behind it in my new book, Athens Food Stories. Love. Order now and bring a little Greek sunshine to your table.