If you’ve never tried Halloumi cheese before, buy some. I promise you its delicious. It’s a Cypriot sheep’s milk cheese and I would go as far as to say it is my favourite cheese. Even saying that makes me feel bad about Feta. I love Feta too it’s just that Halloumi is more difficult to get over here. So, when I do see some, I buy 3 blocks because I know they will sell out quickly and not get any back in for weeks. I think it’s a case of “absence makes the heart grow fonder“. Does that apply to cheese too? I think Feta suffers from being slightly more (dare I say it) common. Now I feel really awful.
The best thing about Halloumi is it doesn’t melt, it cooks. This means you can grill it on a dry pan or griddle and serve it as you would chicken like the Grilled Halloumi Sandwich that I have posted before. The texture is actually quite meaty when it’s cooked and its salty flavour stands up really well to loads of fresh herbs & lemon juice. This salad is the perfect backdrop from which your Halloumi can shine. In the interest of fairness and equality Foil Baked Feta would be a great alternative if you can’t get hold of any Halloumi…..
Greek Salad with Grilled Halloumi
serves 2 vegetarian
- 1 pack halloumi 240gr sliced into 1/2cm slices
- 1 big tomato chopped
- 1/2 cucumber diced
- 1/2 shallot finely chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- a handful of black olives (I left them out because I don’t like them)
- a handful of rocket
- 1 little gem lettuce heart, cut into quarters, lengthways
- sea salt
- 1 lemon
- a handful of chopped coriander or parsley. Stalks as well.
- a handful of chopped mint
- extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 red chilli (deseeded & chopped) optional
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp sumac
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- coriander/parsley leaves for garnish
Put the little gem wedges on the plate, drizzle with a little olive oil, lemon juice & a little sea salt. Put the tomatoes, cucumber, shallot, olives, oregano & half the fresh herbs in a bowl, drizzle with olive oil & a good squeeze of lemon juice, season with salt & pepper and set aside. In a shallow dish large enough to hold the Halloumi slices mix together about 4 tbsp olive oil the juice of half the lemon, cumin, sumac, chilli, black pepper and the rest of the fresh herbs.
Heat a non stick frying pan or griddle to hot. (Don’t add any oil). Put the Halloumi slices in the pan and cook until golden brown on both sides. When the halloumi is browned put the slices into the dish with the marinade and cover it in the marinade. (You may need to add more oil/lemon juice). When all of the Halloumi is in the marinade add the rocket to the tomato salad and toss together with you hands. Pile this on top of the little gem wedges then arrange your Halloumi slices on top and around the salad. Pour over the remaining marinade and serve garnished with the coriander/parsley leaves.
You could also serve some toasted pita wedges on the side to soak up the delicious marinade juices. This is a dish you could serve to hardened meat eaters and they wouldn’t notice it was vegetarian. It’s so good, please try it!
Holy Halloumi! I’ve never had Halloumi before but you’re making me quite curious about it. Where can I get some?
Try a specialty foodstore, it’s not easy to find but worth it!
This sounds scrumptious! What a fantastic combination of ingredients.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and for the kind comment!
You’re so welcome!
This looks amazing! I’ll have to look for some of that cheese the next time I’m at the market & try it!
Its worth looking!
I have never tried halloumi cheese but that picture makes me want to try it out right away. Heheh.
I should be on the Halloumi marketing board!
I love Halloumi! … the taste AND the fact that unlike most cow’s milk cheeses, it doesn’t bother my tummy!
I’m off cow’s milk products too. Surprisingly all my favourite cheeses are sheeps cheeses. Manchego, Feta & Halloumi. I love them all..
I never had that kind of cheese, I will go hunting for it!!!:)) salad looks awesome!!!
Thanks, it’s worth hunting for!
feed back from the Halloumi marketing board….when can you start and do yo want money ???
We are doing it for supper tonight(with the olives too !! )
lol xx
No money just free Halloumi! Hope you enjoy it Dadxx
Wow this looks so fresh and delicious! I’ve never had Halloumi cheese before, but now I’m very curious and will have to buy some!
This looks fresh, delicious and wonderful. I love these types of salads.
Me too!
I saw your beautiful salad on the freshpress homepage and I think my mouth started watering! It looks so delicious! I haven’t heard of Halloumi but I’ll definitely look for it and try this recipe. I’ll be back to visit. =)
Thanks for stopping by!
It’s so funny… I’m half Greek and I’ve never heard of this cheese. I need to find it though… and put it in my tummy. :3
A lot of people haven’t heard of it! I am a bit of a cheesehead!
beautiful! I love halloumi and grill it all the time and then drizzle it with olive oil and a sprinkling of zaa’tar. Don’t feel guilty about “dissing” feta, it is kind of common.
I love this salad and will definitely be trying it out! yay for more halloumi recipes!
I don’t have any Z’atar, will have to look for some because I’ve seen it used in a few dishes I want to try..
I love halloumi.On Sundays we always have grilled and it’s quite amazing to see some of it left for the family table. That’s a great recipe by the way. I’m sure we’ll prepare it for tomorrows launch!
Just checked out your blog, you write very well! Nice to meet a fellow Halloumi fan!
This looks great! Can’t wait to try! I noticed I just got the same pingback and was also featured on foodpress (crab frittata) with your salad. Spam?
I loved your photo of the crab (feet?). Which pingback did you mean the iqaone?
Yeah that’s the one I meant.
I share your passion about halloumi! In fact, I do the same thing when I find some in Budapests gourmet shops. There is one hungarian version , well at least one company is doing it, but instead of grilling it melts:( Anyway, the salad sure looks amazing, and Halloumi is a good way to spice up a traditional salad..thank u for the idea!
Hi Nat, Halloumi is a slice of heaven. I love the squeak when you bite it. A delayed reply I know, but I’m slowly working my way through your blog, backwards I know! You should try the said cheese dusted with a flour ( I used gram flour) and smoked paprika mix on both sides, before frying In a little oil. Heaven with a Spanish flavour. Lx
Have to make sure I’ve got some when you come over!! Never tried it floured, sounds extra crispy will give it a go, thanks x