Piri Piri is Swahili for pepper-pepper, it is also referred to as Peri Peri. There are many family recipes (or versions) of this spice blend with the most popular coming from Africa, Brazil and Portugal. Now while each region has its own subtle differences they all share one common theme and that is loads of heat. So if you like your spice seasonings packing the heat then this one's for you!

Hand blended with paprika, cayenne, black pepper and dried lemon peel, we like to use this as a rub on beef, chicken, fish or pork for a blast of flavor or lightly sprinkle on shrimp.

To mix up a homemade batch of Peri Peri sauce (also called Molho de Piri-Piri), a Portuguese hot pepper sauce, mix 1/4 cup of our Piri Piri seasoning to 1/2 - 1 cup of olive oil (depending on how thick you like your sauce). Add to a small food processor and blend until smooth.

If you're a fan of African seasonings then you'll want to check these out as well - Moroccan Vegetable Rub, Moroccan Chicken Seasoning, Harissa, Berbere, Baharat, Tunisian Five Spice and Ras el Hanout.

Piri Piri Halloumi Burgers with Citrus Slaw

In this grownup version of grilled cheese, you literally grill the cheese! Halloumi is a delicious, firm cheese that can be grilled without melting, keeping its shape and the delicious crust that forms when the cheese grills slightly and the seasoning blend combines with it. It’s a very neutral tasting cheese. It is more like a mozzarella than anything else, but it is much more firm than mozzarella cheese would be. There is really no substitute for this cheese, though you may find that queso fresco is sort of similar. The texture of halloumi is much more agreeable to the grill. Unlike many other cheeses, halloumi is not actually meant to be eaten plain. It is made to be heated in some way and eaten warm. It is made from goat or sheep milk, though sometimes you will find a cow’s milk halloumi. Traditionally, this is a food produced and consumed by Greeks.

We served our grilled halloumi on pretzel buns with a homemade slaw. You could serve it with watermelon as well, which is what they do in Cyprus.

Ingredients:

• Halloumi Cheese, 8 oz. sliced into 4
• 3 Tbsp. Piri Piri Seasoning
• 3 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 2 Carrots, peeled and shredded
• White Cabbage, 1/2 small head shredded
• 1 Red Onion, sliced thin
• 4 Tbsp Mayonnaise
• 1 Tbsp Lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp Lime juice
• 1 cup Cilantro, chopped
• Arugula, or your favorite greens
• Tomato, sliced
• Pretzel Rolls

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, combine the Piri Piri and the olive oil and mix well. Place the Halloumi slices in the marinade.
2. In a large bowl, toss the carrot, cabbage, red onion, and cilantro. Mix in the mayonnaise, lemon and lime juice.
3. Heat your grill to medium, oil the grates of the grill with a bit of olive oil and place Halloumi on the grill. Brown both sides.
4. Assemble sandwiches. Place arugula and tomato on a bun. Next, place halloumi and top off with the slaw.