Espetinhos de Queijo de Coalho (Grilled Brazilian Cheese with Hot Honey)

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A drizzle of hot honey and lime juice punch up these grilled cheese skewers.

ESPETINHOS DE QUEIJO DE COALHO (GRILLED BEACH CHEESE)
Photo:

Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Dickey / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

Total Time:
50 mins
Servings:
4 to 6

This recipe is inspired by Junior Borges’ childhood memories of Bahia beaches and the vendors who grilled queijo coalho over hot coals for a warm, oozy treat for beachgoers. Borges adds fresh oregano, a drizzle of hot honey, and lime juice to the grilled cheese for a fragrant, punchy finish.

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

Find pre-skewered queijo coalho at Latin American grocery stores or online. You can also cut a larger block of the cheese into skewer-size pieces (1- x 4- or 5-inch pieces) and insert bamboo skewers yourself. Large blocks of queijo coalho are available at online.

Make ahead

Hot honey can be stored in an airtight container in refrigerator up to three weeks. You can drizzle it over leftovers like grilled chicken or pepperoni pizza.

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Ingredients

Hot Honey

  • 8 fresh red Thai chiles, stemmed and cut in half lengthwise  

  • 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

  • 4 teaspoons grated lemon zest (from 2 lemons) 

  • 2 1/2 teaspoons coriander seeds, toasted and lightly crushed

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons black peppercorns, lightly crushed

  • 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt

  • 2/3 cup honey

Beach Cheese

  • Neutral oil, for greasing

  • 1 (about 10-ounce) package pre-skewered queijo coalho (about 7 skewers) or Halloumi cheese

  • 1 lime, halved

  • Fresh oregano leaves, for garnish

Directions

Make the hot honey

  1. Stir together chiles, garlic, lemon zest, coriander, peppercorns, and salt in a small saucepan. Add honey, and cook over low, stirring often, until flavors meld and honey is infused, about 30 minutes. (Do not boil.) Pour honey through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a heatproof jar; discard solids. Set aside, and keep warm until ready to use. 

Make the beach cheese

  1. Heat a grill to medium-high (400°F to 450°F). Oil grates, and add skewered cheese. Grill, uncovered, turning occasionally, until golden marks form on all sides and cheese is warm but not fully melted, 6 to 7 minutes. (Alternatively, cook skewers on a lightly oiled large cast-iron griddle or skillet over medium-high, turning occasionally, until a golden crust forms on all sides and cheese is warm but not fully melted, 7 to 8 minutes.)

  2. Lightly brush skewers with hot honey, and transfer to a plate; brush again with 3 tablespoons honey. Squeeze lime halves over skewers to taste; garnish with oregano. Serve skewers immediately with additional hot honey.

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