We were in Israel between Christmas and New Year's, and we discovered
Halloumi cheese - apparently originates in Cyprus, and is best thought
of as a cross between mozzarella's texture and feta's flavor.

It was served grilled or fried or breaded and fried every time we had
it. The first was breaded and fried as quas-croutons in a salad.
Later, at the Israeli equivalent of Starbucks (a chain called Aroma
which now has outlets in the US - I've been to one on W. 72nd St. in
NYC), we had a Halloumi sandwich featuring a big piece of Halloumi that
had been grilled.

Once home, we found it at the local Whole Paychecks for $20 per pound,
and bought a half-pound. Was pretty good. We then found it at the
local Fairway's for $16.50 a pound, still expensive, and it was better
tasting as well - was imported from Cyprus according to the package.
We've had it a few times at home now - just cut it into 1"-ish pieces,
fried it in olive oil, and put in/on a salad - it's especially nice in a
greens-less salad, e.g., tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers, that sort of
thing.

Worth a try if you're looking for something new in the cheese
department.

-S-