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Warm mastello cheese with thyme honey and herbs. Four ingredients. One of the best things on the island.
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ingredients
🧀 DAIRY
•
300g mastelo cheese, sliced 1cm thick (Sub: mild halloumi)
🍯 PANTRY
•
3 tbsp thyme honey or wildflower honey
•
Olive oil for the pan
•
🌿 HERBS & FINISH
•
Fresh thyme sprigs
•
Cracked black pepper
•
Pinch of dried oregano
•
Good bread for serving
Chios
Mastelo Cheese with Honey
Warm mastello cheese with thyme honey and herbs.
Warm mastello cheese with thyme honey and herbs. Four ingredients. One of the best things on the island.
Ingredients
🧀 DAIRY
— 300g mastelo cheese, sliced 1cm thick (Sub: mild halloumi)
🍯 PANTRY
— 3 tbsp thyme honey or wildflower honey
— Olive oil for the pan
🌿 HERBS & FINISH
— Fresh thyme sprigs
— Cracked black pepper
— Pinch of dried oregano
— Good bread for serving
Prep
🔪 PREP FIRST
🧀 CHEESE PREP
— Slice mastelo 1cm thick — not thinner.
— Pat slices dry with paper towel.
— 👉 Dry cheese browns better. Wet cheese steams instead of searing.
🍯 HONEY PREP
— Warm honey slightly — 10 seconds in microwave or in a warm water bath.
— This makes it pour smoothly.
Method
STEP 1 — HEAT THE PAN
— Heat a non-stick or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
— Add:
— A thin drizzle of olive oil
— Pan should be hot before cheese goes in.
STEP 2 — SEAR THE CHEESE
— Add mastelo slices in a single layer.
— Cook 2–3 minutes per side.
— You're looking for:
— Golden-brown crust
— Soft and yielding inside
— Starting to ooze at the edges
👉 Do NOT move the cheese while it sears — let the crust form.
STEP 3 — PLATE & FINISH
— Transfer immediately to serving plate.
— Drizzle generously with warm honey.
— Scatter fresh thyme sprigs.
— Crack black pepper over the top.
— Serve with bread immediately.
Chef's Note: Mastelo must be served the moment it comes out of the pan. Cold fried cheese is a disappointment.