The Ultimate Grilled Halloumi Salad

Craving a delicious, healthy, and impressive vegetarian meal? Look no further than the Grilled Halloumi Salad! This recipe offers a symphony of textures and flavors, making it a crowd-pleaser perfect for any occasion.

A Winning Combination:

This recipe combines several winning features:

• Delicious, Quick, and Easy: This salad is flavorful, requires minimal preparation time, and offers an easy cleanup, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
• Irresistible Halloumi: The star of the show is halloumi cheese, grilled to perfection for a delightful textural contrast – crispy on the outside, creamy and melt-in-your-mouth on the inside.
• Versatile and Customizable: Feel free to add protein like chicken or shrimp, or incorporate other vegetables, beans, or greens to suit your preferences.

A Mediterranean Delight:

This recipe draws inspiration from the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean:

• Fresh and Flavorful Ingredients: The salad features a delightful combination of fresh vegetables, herbs, and a zesty lemon dressing.
• Hearty and Satisfying: The addition of chewy farro creates a more substantial salad, perfect for a complete meal.

Beyond the Basics:

This recipe offers a delightful twist on the classic salad:

• Grilled Avocado: Take your salad to the next level with the addition of grilled avocado slices, adding a unique creamy texture.
• Perfect for Leftovers: This salad holds up well in the fridge, making it a great option for meal prepping.

Halloumi Cheese: A Vegetarian Hero:

The recipe provides a helpful introduction to halloumi cheese:

• Easy to Cook Indoors or Outdoors: Halloumi cheese can be cooked in a grill pan or a regular pan for convenience.
• Vegetarian Protein Powerhouse: Halloumi is a great source of protein and calcium for vegetarians.

A Delicious Proposition:

The author entices readers with the irresistible combination of flavors and textures:

• Grilled Cheese on a Salad: This recipe combines the indulgence of grilled cheese with the health benefits of a salad.
• Perfect Meatless Monday Meal: This hearty salad is a satisfying vegetarian option, perfect for a Meatless Monday dinner.

Ready to Experience the Magic of Grilled Halloumi Salad? Here’s the Recipe!

Ingredients:

• For the Salad:

  • 1 cup uncooked farro
  • 8 ounces halloumi cheese, cut into ½ inch slices
  • 3 ounces baby arugula or mixed greens
  • 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
  • ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • ¼ cup toasted pine nuts

• For the Lemon Dressing:

  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the Farro: Cook the farro according to package instructions. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.

2. Grill the Halloumi: Heat a grill pan or grill over medium heat. Brush or spray the halloumi slices with a little olive oil. Grill the halloumi for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and grill marks appear.

3. Prepare the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the arugula or mixed greens, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese (if using).

4. Make the Lemon Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper.

5. Assemble the Salad: Add the cooked farro and grilled halloumi slices to the salad bowl. Toss with the lemon dressing and sprinkle with toasted pine nuts. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips:

• If you don’t have a grill pan, you can cook the halloumi cheese in a regular skillet over medium heat.
• You can substitute quinoa or another whole grain for the farro.
• Feel free to add other grilled vegetables to the salad, such as zucchini, bell peppers, or eggplant.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Final Thoughts:

The Grilled Halloumi Salad is a testament to the fact that vegetarian meals can be exciting, delicious, and satisfying. So grab your halloumi cheese, fresh ingredients, and fire up the grill (or pan) to create this restaurant-worthy salad in minutes!