If you’re seeking a salad overflowing with goodness and brimming with tasty, vibrant ingredients (plus there’s a saying that the more colorful your dish, the healthier it is), then this salad is ideal for you. Adorned with crispy-on-the-outside, oozy-on-the-inside haloumi, it can be enjoyed as a solo vegetarian lunch or a fantastic side to grilled lamb or chicken. The dressing is quite tangy and sharp, providing a contrast to the saltiness of the haloumi while adding a lively kick and a hint of heat to the entire salad.
Ingredients: (Serves 4-6)
- 120 g mixed salad leaves
- 1 each of medium-sized red, yellow and green capsicums
- 2 carrots
- 1 medium-sized fresh beetroot
- 250 g mixed cherry tomatoes
- 2 cobs fresh corn
- handful fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 1 small bunch chives
- 1/3 cup pepitas
- 1/2 cup pecan nuts
- 180 -200 g block of haloumi
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- juice of 1 large lemon
- 2 teaspoons capers
- 1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes
- sea salt and black pepper
Preheat your oven to 180 C. Spread the pepitas and pecans on a baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes until they emit a toasty aroma and are pleasantly crunchy. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Chop capsicums into 1 cm square pieces. Peel and julienne the carrots. Peel and julienne the beetroot, keeping it separate from the other ingredients to prevent its deep purple juice from staining everything else. Halve the tomatoes. Using a sharp knife, slice the kernels off the corn cobs. Roughly chop the parsley and snip the chives. Prepare the dressing by combining 2 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil, lemon juice, capers, and chilli flakes in a small glass jar with a lid. Shake thoroughly and season to preference with sea salt and black pepper. When ready to serve, mix all the salad components together and transfer to a serving dish. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and add the remaining olive oil. Slice the haloumi into 8 pieces and fry in the pan until golden. Place the haloumi on top of the salad, drizzle with the dressing, and serve immediately.
**Vibrant Vegetable Salad with Grilled Halloumi Cheese: A Wholesome and Tasty Treat**
A vibrant vegetable salad with grilled halloumi cheese offers not just an appealing sight but also serves as a wholesome and tasty dish that can enhance any meal. This colorful salad merges a selection of fresh vegetables with the distinct flavor and texture of halloumi cheese, achieving a harmonious blend of tastes and nutrients.
**Ingredients and Preparation**
To create this appetizing salad, you will require a variety of fresh vegetables, halloumi cheese, and a straightforward dressing. Here’s a simple overview of the ingredients:
– **Halloumi Cheese**: Renowned for its high melting point, halloumi is ideal for grilling. Its salty, tangy taste complements the freshness of the vegetables.
– **Mixed Greens**: Utilize a mixture of lettuce, spinach, and arugula for an assortment of textures and flavors.
– **Colorful Vegetables**: Incorporate cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, and red onions for color and a variety of nutrients.
– **Herbs**: Fresh herbs such as mint, basil, or parsley elevate the salad with fragrant flavors.
– **Dressing**: A simple lemon-olive oil dressing with a hint of honey, salt, and pepper melds the ingredients together.
**Grilling the Halloumi**
Grilling halloumi is simple. Cut the cheese into thick slices, about 1 cm, to avoid crumbling. Heat a grill or a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Grill the halloumi slices for approximately 2-3 minutes on each side until a golden-brown crust forms. This grilling technique enhances the cheese’s flavor and provides a satisfying texture.
**Assembling the Salad**
1. **Prepare the Vegetables**: Rinse and chop the vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Place them in a large salad bowl.
2. **Add the Grilled Halloumi**: After grilling, cut the halloumi into smaller pieces or keep them as slices, and incorporate them into the salad.
3. **Dress the Salad**: Drizzle the lemon-olive oil dressing over the salad. Gently toss to ensure all ingredients are coated with the dressing.
4. **Garnish**: Add fresh herbs on top for extra flavor and a splash of color.
**Nutritional Benefits**
This salad is not only appetizing but also laden with nutrients. The vegetables supply essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber, promoting overall well-being. Halloumi cheese contributes protein and calcium, making the salad more filling. The olive oil in the dressing provides healthy fats, beneficial for heart health.
**Serving Suggestions**
A colorful vegetable salad with grilled halloumi cheese can be served as a main dish or a side. It pairs wonderfully with grilled meats, fish, or as part of a Mediterranean-themed meal. For a more complete dish, consider adding grains like quinoa or couscous.
**Conclusion**
Incorporating a vibrant vegetable salad with grilled halloumi cheese into your diet is an excellent way to relish a healthy, flavorful meal. Its striking appearance and delightful taste make it a fantastic choice for all occasions, whether it’s a casual lunch or an elaborate dinner. Enjoy the medley of fresh vegetables and savory halloumi cheese while relishing the delicious mix of textures and flavors.