Description
Mediterranean magic shines in this halloumi couscous salad, blending grilled cheese with pearl couscous and fresh herbs. Crisp vegetables and zesty lemon dressing invite you to savor summer’s Mediterranean essence.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 block (8 oz/226 g) halloumi cheese, sliced into ½-inch pieces
- 1 cup couscous
- 1 cup boiling water or vegetable broth
- 4 tbsps olive oil
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cucumber, diced
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsps fresh mint, chopped (optional)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Couscous Preparation: Transfer couscous to a heatproof container and saturate with boiling liquid. Seal tightly, allowing the grains to steam for 5 minutes until tender and fluffy.
- Halloumi Searing and Vinaigrette Creation: Warm a skillet with oil over medium heat, searing halloumi slices until golden-brown. Simultaneously, whisk dressing components in a mixing vessel until the mixture emulsifies into a cohesive sauce.
- Salad Assembly: Combine cooled couscous with diced cherry tomatoes, cucumber segments, red onion, and freshly chopped herbs. Drizzle the prepared vinaigrette across the salad, gently tossing to ensure even coating.
- Plating and Serving: Arrange caramelized halloumi slices strategically atop the salad. Serve immediately while halloumi remains warm, or allow it to reach a pleasant room temperature for a relaxed dining experience.
Notes
- Manage Couscous Hydration: Seal container tightly to trap steam, ensuring grains become perfectly fluffy and absorb liquid evenly without becoming soggy.
- Control Halloumi Searing: Use medium heat and non-stick pan to achieve golden-brown exterior without burning; cheese should have crispy edges and soft center.
- Optimize Vinaigrette Texture: Whisk ingredients vigorously to create smooth, well-emulsified dressing that coats salad ingredients uniformly without separating.
- Temperature Considerations: Serve dish immediately for warm halloumi experience or let cool for room temperature enjoyment; both variations offer delightful flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg