Holy halloumi!

Jonesing for a warm, salty snack that takes almost no time to prepare? Then you might want to fry up a few slices of halloumi, a mild, mozzarella-like cheese common in Mediterranean cuisines. I myself have had a halloumi craving for a few weeks running, as my friends Anne and Dan think that the word "halloumi!" is very funny, and say it often. As Anne commented just now, "the feeling of the word rolling off the tongue is almost as enjoyable as the taste of the cheese itself." Want to see for yourself? You can purchase halloumi at a Middle Eastern specialty shop--my favorite is Sahadi's on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. Heat a cast-iron skillet or grill pan (or an outdoor grill) on high, add 1/2" thick slices of halloumi, and fry until golden brown and crispy on both sides, about 4 to 5 minutes total. The dense, spongy cheese does not melt but retains its firm texture.

How to eat it? Try heeding the advice of this video by putting it in a sandwich with tomato, or enjoy it simply, as I did: sprinkled with chile powder, spritzed with lemon, and on top of warm, toasted pita bread wedges.