Za’atar-Crusted Grilling Cheese with Sumac Veggies and Couscous

Have you ever tried grilling cheese directly on the heat? It might sound unusual, but the result is spectacular: a warm, melty interior with a beautifully charred, crispy crust. In this recipe, we coat thick slices of grilling cheese in fragrant za’atar spice, then pan-fry until golden. The cheese is served atop a bed of fluffy whole wheat Israeli couscous tossed with fresh tomatoes, mint and lemon zest, alongside tender zucchini and red onion roasted with tangy sumac.

This dish brings together the earthy warmth of za’atar, the bright citrusy notes of sumac and the creamy richness of melted cheese. It’s a quick, satisfying vegetarian meal that comes together in about 30 minutes-perfect for a weeknight dinner that feels special.

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Ingredients

1 unit ZucchiniView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Red OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LemonView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 ounce Grape TomatoesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 ounce MintView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Whole Wheat Israeli CouscousView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Veggie Stock ConcentrateView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon SumacView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 ounce Grilling CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Za'atar SpiceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 teaspoon Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Preheat the broiler to high or oven to 500°F (260°C). Wash and dry all produce. Halve the zucchini lengthwise, then cut into long, thin wedges. Halve and peel the red onion, then cut into 1-inch-thick wedges. Finely mince one of the onion wedges. Zest the lemon until you have 1 teaspoon of zest, then cut the lemon into wedges. Halve the grape tomatoes. Pick the mint leaves from the stems and discard the stems; thinly slice the leaves.
2. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a small pot over medium-high heat. Add the minced onion and couscous. Cook, tossing, until the onion is softened and the couscous is lightly toasted, about 2-3 minutes. Pour in 1 cup of water and the veggie stock concentrate. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook until the couscous is tender, 10-12 minutes.
3. On a baking sheet, toss the zucchini and onion wedges with a large drizzle of olive oil, sumac, salt and pepper. Broil (or bake) until lightly charred, 10-15 minutes, tossing halfway through.
4. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Cut the 4 oz grilling cheese into two large slices. Place the za’atar on a plate. Press each cheese slice into the za’atar to coat evenly on all sides. Add the cheese to the pan and cook until browned, 2-3 minutes per side.
5. Once the couscous is done, transfer it to a large bowl. Stir in the halved tomatoes, lemon zest, half of the sliced mint and a squeeze of lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Divide the couscous between plates. Top with the roasted zucchini and onion wedges and the za’atar-crusted grilling cheese. Garnish with the remaining mint and serve with the remaining lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

What is grilling cheese?

Grilling cheese is a semi-hard cheese with a high melting point, such as halloumi or kasseri. It softens and becomes warm when heated but holds its shape, allowing you to sear it without it melting into a puddle.

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Yes, you can substitute with halloumi, kasseri or even a firm paneer. Just make sure it’s a cheese that doesn’t melt completely when heated.

What can I serve instead of couscous?

You can replace the couscous with quinoa, rice or orzo. Adjust cooking times and liquid amounts accordingly.