Halloumi and bacon canapés

Christmas is such a social time of the year, works dos, out with friends, seeing family and then if you still have the energy there is the entertaining. Its lovely to have friends and family over but it needs to be easy and no fuss at such a busy time. These Halloumi & Bacon bites are super easy and can be made well in advance just ready to put in the over ready for your guest’s arrival.

Halloumi & Bacon canapés  

Block of Halloumi (Approx. 200g)

Pack of streaky bacon or Parma Ham

Ground black Pepper

Method

1. Cut the halloumi block into even strips, roughly 1 cm thickness. My 225g block cut nicely into 12 pieces.
2. Take two or three rashes of the bacon and place between two pieces of cling film and roll with a rolling pin to flatten out to a couple of millimetre thickness. Repeat this until you have enough for your cheese sticks. I use half a rasher on each stick.
3. Season your bacon with a good twist of ground black pepper, you won’t need salt as the cheese and bacon are salty enough.
4. Wrap each cheese stick in half a rasher of the thinned out bacon, leaving the cheese poking out at either end. Repeat until all the sticks are wrapped. (If you aren’t cooking these straight away cover and place in the fridge until required.)
5. Place the wrapped sticks on a baking tray and put in the oven on the top shelf, fan 180c.
6. Check them after 10 minutes, then 15 minutes, the bacon should be crispy and the cheese starting to brown. Mine took about 20 minutes but it will depend on your oven.
7. These can be served straight away either on their own or with a dip.

You can use Parma Ham as an alternative to the bacon, you don’t need to roll this as it is already thin enough and usually takes less cooking time so I’d check them after 10 minute.

Dips

A tomato chutney goes really well with these or if you prefer something a little more festive cranberry and port is a winner. Just heat a couple of tablespoons of cranberry sauce in a pan and add a glug of port and stir to loosen up the cranberry sauce to the right dipping consistency. This can be served warm on the side of the canapés.

Kirsty Wilson Close

Instagram  kirsty_in_the_kitchen

Food Styling, Food Writing, Food Lover