Rhode Island Jonnycake Stack with Grilled Halloumi

Introduction

This Rhode Island-inspired Grilled Halloumi and Jonnycake Stack brings bold flavors to your plate. Layered with creamy, golden-seared halloumi cheese and crisp jonnycakes right off the flat Arteflame grill top, this dish is finished with a gentle drizzle of warm honey for a sweet-savory combination that’s hard to beat. The Arteflame makes it simple by cooking all components together without a lid or pan – it’s all done beautifully over fire, with different heat zones delivering perfect texture and flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 block (8 oz) halloumi cheese, sliced into 1/2-inch thick slabs
• 1 cup white or yellow cornmeal (authentic Rhode Island-style)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups boiling water
• 2 tbsp butter (plus more for grilling)
• 2 tbsp honey (for drizzling)
• Fresh thyme or mint leaves for garnish (optional)
• Cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Fire up your Arteflame Grill

1. Place 3 paper napkins in the fire bowl and drizzle them with vegetable oil.
2. Stack your firewood on top of the napkins.
3. Light the napkins with a lighter and allow the fire to build. You’ll be ready to start grilling in about 20 minutes.

Step 2: Make the Jonnycake Batter

1. In a mixing bowl, stir together the cornmeal and salt.
2. Slowly add boiling water while stirring to form a thick batter.
3. Add 1 tbsp butter and mix until combined. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to thicken slightly.

Step 3: Grill the Jonnycakes

1. On the medium-hot zone of the flat griddle (closer to the edge), melt a knob of butter.
2. Spoon the jonnycake batter into small rounds, about 4 inches wide.
3. Grill each side until golden crisp, about 4-5 minutes per side. Use a spatula to flip gently. Move them to a lighter heat zone to keep warm.

Step 4: Grill the Halloumi

1. Lightly brush the halloumi slices with melted butter.
2. Place them on the hotter part of the griddle, closer to the center grill zone.
3. Grill for 2-3 minutes per side until beautifully seared and slightly golden.
4. Set aside on the warm zone until ready to assemble.

Step 5: Assemble and Serve

1. Alternate stacks of jonnycake and grilled halloumi (2-3 layers recommended).
2. Drizzle warm honey over the top.
3. Garnish with fresh thyme, mint, or cracked black pepper, if using. Serve hot.

Tips

• Butter brings out the nutty flavors in jonnycakes and halloumi – don’t skip it!
• Keep jonnycakes warm on the outer rim of the grill to maintain crispness before serving.
• Make sure the grill is hot enough so the halloumi sears and doesn’t stick.
• This dish is great for entertaining – scale easily by grilling more jonnycakes and cheese simultaneously.

Variations

1. Spicy Maple Stack: Add a dash of chili flakes to the honey drizzle and replace regular butter with a chipotle-infused butter.
2. Sweet-N-Savory Bacon Stack: Add grilled Arteflame bacon layers between the jonnycake and cheese for extra umami.
3. Avocado Herb Delight: Add smashed grilled avocado with fresh cilantro and lime zest between layers.
4. Tomato Basil Halloumi: Add grilled heirloom tomato slices and fresh basil leaves to each stack.
5. Southern BBQ Style: Add a pulled pork layer and a drizzle of BBQ sauce instead of honey.

Best pairings

• Chilled sparkling rosé or crisp cider
• Grilled asparagus or fire-charred cherry tomatoes
• Fresh watermelon salad with mint and feta

Conclusion

This Grilled Halloumi and Jonnycake Stack is a Rhode Island classic with a fire-grilled twist. With sweet honey and salty halloumi stacked between the crunchy cornmeal layers, it’s the perfect recipe to showcase your Arteflame Grill. No pots, no pans—just pure grilled flavor.