If you’ve by no means had pan-fried halloumi, get able to be hooked on this Fried Halloumi Salad. This crispy, salty cheese takes salad to the subsequent degree, particularly when paired with contemporary herbs and a tangy French dressing!
Ingredients
Make certain to make use of contemporary, high quality substances for the perfect flavors — it makes all of the distinction!
Vinaigrette:
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – This is the center of the French dressing and provides the halloumi that golden crust.
- Fresh Mint – This herb provides a burst of cool, natural freshness that lightens up your complete dish.
- Fresh Dill – Dill brings a shiny, tangy punch and pairs completely with the citrus within the dressing.
- Flat Parsley – Earthy and barely peppery, parsley helps spherical out the flavors within the French dressing.
- Red Wine Vinegar – This vinegar provides simply the correct amount of tanginess to tie the French dressing collectively.
- Lemon Zest – Concentrated citrus taste from the zest provides a pop of brightness that wakes up all the opposite flavors. For much more lemon taste, add a splash of lemon juice to the salad dressing, too.
For the salad:
- Baby Spinach or Arugula – Tender, peppery greens are the proper base for the toppings to shine. Or, use spinach for a similar coloration however a milder taste.
- Canned Chickpeas – Creamy and versatile, chickpeas add an excellent-satisfying texture and additional protein to the salad. Rinse them properly and pat dry.
- Crispy Fried Chickpeas – Crunchy and nutty, these are a recreation-changer on this salad.
- Black Olives – Thin slices of briny olives add a bit of salty taste.
- Roasted Red Peppers – Sweet and smoky, these add depth and a pop of coloration to the dish.
- Pomegranate Seeds – These juicy little gems convey bursts of tart sweetness to the salad.
- Olives – For extra briny taste add kalamata olives or capers.
- Halloumi Cheese – This salty, agency cheese will be constructed from sheep’s milk, cow’s milk, or goat’s milk. It develops a crispy golden crust when seared, whereas additionally staying irresistibly creamy inside.
Variations
This salad is extremely adaptable, so you’ll be able to combine it up primarily based in your style buds or what’s in your fridge. It’s additionally a good way to make use of up further veggies or different substances, so be at liberty to get artistic!
- Feta Cheese – If you’ll be able to’t discover halloumi, crumbled feta makes an incredible different with a tangier kick. Just sprinkle it on at room temperature.
- Crunchiness – Impart a bit of nutty taste and crunchy texture with sesame seeds or pine nuts.
- Grilled Vegetables – Add smoky grilled zucchini, eggplant, or bell peppers to bulk up the salad.
- Aromatics – Sprinkle in some diced crimson onion or minced garlic cloves for much more taste.
- Oranges – Swap the pomegranate seeds for orange segments.
- Walnuts – Toss in toasted walnuts or almonds for further crunch and nuttiness.
- Fresh Basil – Replace or combine with the mint for a barely completely different natural taste.
- Saltiness – For extra salty taste, sprinkle a bit of little bit of sea salt into the salad dressing.
- Greens – Swap out the spinach or arugula in your favourite combined greens or child kale.
- Farro – Add cooked farro to the salad for a hearty, grain-primarily based model.
- Heat – Bring a bit of heat to the salad with contemporary floor black pepper or a sprinkle of crushed crimson pepper flakes.
- Tomatoes – Fresh, juicy cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes convey extra coloration and a contact of sweetness to the salad.
How to Make Fried Halloumi Salad
This fried halloumi salad is as simple to make as it’s spectacular.
1. Whisk the French dressing. Combine the substances for the French dressing in a small bowl and whisk collectively.
2. Assemble the salad base. Place your salad substances, apart from the halloumi, on plates or assemble in a single massive bowl.
3. Fry the halloumi. Drizzle olive oil right into a preheated skillet or grill pan and add the oblong items of halloumi in a single layer. Cook till golden brown and crisp on each side. Flip to evenly prepare dinner the slices and keep away from burning. Remove to a plate lined with paper towels.
4. Bring all of it collectively. Top the salad with the nice and cozy cheese, drizzle generously with the French dressing, and serve instantly.
What to Serve With Fried Halloumi Salad
This salad is a celebrity by itself as a principal course, however it may be a part of a meal, too. Pair it with heat pita bread or a easy hummus dip for extra Mediterranean aptitude. You can even serve this scrumptious salad as a facet dish alongside hen dishes, lamb, or a lightweight white fish like tilapia or cod for an entire dinner.
If you’re entertaining, assume mezze platters — this salad suits proper in with tabbouleh, stuffed grape leaves, and baba ghanoush. Or hold it informal with roasted candy potato fries or a comfortable bowl of lentil soup for a straightforward weeknight dinner.
Storage and Freezing
While this salad is finest loved contemporary, it can save you leftovers with a couple of tweaks to maintain all of the flavors and textures intact.
Make Ahead
Prep the French dressing and chop the greens and toppings forward of time. Store individually in an hermetic container to maintain them contemporary, and fry the halloumi simply earlier than serving.
How to Store
Store any leftover salad and halloumi in separate hermetic containers. The salad will keep contemporary for as much as two days however reheat the halloumi briefly in a pan to crisp it up once more.
Can I Freeze Halloumi Salad?
Freezing isn’t advisable for the reason that halloumi and contemporary greens could lose their texture after thawing.
Common Questions About Fried Halloumi Salad
While halloumi is good for frying, paneer or grilling cheese can work properly too.
Halloumi is finest served scorching, proper after frying. Overcooking could make it powerful, so keep watch over it whereas it sears.
Yes, halloumi is of course gluten-free, and this recipe avoids gluten until you add bread or grains.
More Easy and Flavorful Salads
If you’re in search of extra salads which can be so filled with taste they’re certain to knock your socks off, these recipes ought to examine all of the packing containers!
If you’ve by no means had pan-fried halloumi, get able to be hooked on this Fried Halloumi Salad with crispy salty cheese and a tangy French dressing!
Servings:
Salad:
- 4 cups child spinach or arugula
- ½ cup canned chickpeas , drained and rinsed, pat dry
- ½ cup crispy fried chickpeas
- 2 tablespoons black olives , thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons roasted crimson peppers , chopped
- 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds
- 2-3 tablespoons further virgin olive oil
- 8 ounces halloumi , reduce into ¼ inch slices
Vinaigrette:
In a small bowl, whisk collectively the olive oil, mint, dill, parsley crimson wine vinegar and lemon zest. Set facet however whisk yet another time earlier than drizzling over the salad.
Salad:
Evenly divide the chosen greens, canned chickpeas, crispy chickpeas, black olives, roasted crimson pepper and pomegranate seeds onto 2 or 4 plates, relying on what number of servings you make. Set facet or place within the fridge, if not serving instantly.
Heat a big skillet over medium-excessive warmth. When scorching, add the olive oil and 4-5 slices of halloumi, relying on the scale of the pan. Sear for a complete of 4-5 minutes, turning back and forth each minute to attain a golden-brown crust. Remove to a paper towel lined plate and proceed with the remaining items.
Divide the slices among the many ready salads, drizzle with the French dressing and serve whereas cheese is heat.
Calories: 494 kcal, Carbohydrates: 22 g, Protein: 20 g, Fat: 37 g, Saturated Fat: 13 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 19 g, Sodium: 934 mg, Potassium: 477 mg, Fiber: 7 g, Sugar: 4 g, Vitamin A: 3178 IU, Vitamin C: 19 mg, Calcium: 647 mg, Iron: 3 mg
