Ingredients

• 1 cup roughly chopped dried dates
• 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
• Kosher salt
• Canola oil
• 8 ounces haloumi cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 apple, peeled and cut into matchsticks
• Chopped fresh dill
• 1/2 teaspoon ground Urfa pepper

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Instructions

1. Combine the dates, walnuts, olive oil, vinegar, a couple pinches of salt, and 1/2 cup hot water in a food processor and puree until smooth. Set the date paste aside.
2. Film a skillet with canola oil and heat over medium-high heat until the oil is shimmering but not smoking. Arrange the cheese cubes in a single layer in the skillet and cook, turning, until the exteriors are golden and crisp, about 2 minutes per side.
3. Spread the date paste over the bottom of a serving plate and add the fried haloumi. Top with the apple, dill, and Urfa pepper, and serve immediately.
4. Photograph copyright © 2015 by Michael Persico