This Halloumi Lentil Salad is made with cooked lentils, roasted tomatoes, cucumber, and pan-fried halloumi, together with a easy zesty dressing. It is a contemporary, wholesome vegetarian lunch that you will need to make all summer time lengthy!
Halloumi! It is so good, proper? Particularly on this halloumi lentil salad.
Having lunch already prepped and able to go is essential to ensure that me to ensure I am maintaining a healthy diet all through the week. I like whipping up my chickpea hen salad and my mediterranean tuna salad to have available. Just like these recipes, this halloumi salad can simply be made forward of time and loved for days.
Plus, utilizing lentils in a salad is a simple means so as to add protein and fiber to a meal (like in my favourite lentil meatballs.
What’s halloumi?
If you do not know, halloumi is a sort of cheese produced from a mixture of sheep’s milk and goat milk. What makes it distinctive is that it has a excessive melting level, that means you may simply fry it and it will not soften. Sure, FRIED CHEESE. Is there something higher? If you have not tried it earlier than, I promise you will probably be love at first chunk.
However do not let me get forward of myself, as a result of despite the fact that halloumi is form of the star of this recipe, I do not need to neglect the remainder of this halloumi salad.
Recipe options
- It is made with fried halloumi, aka the best cheese of all time
- It is a protein-packed, vegetarian meal possibility
- You’ll be able to simply prep it forward of time and revel in it for lunch all through the week
Elements
This listing is to supply additional clarification on among the elements used; the total ingredient listing is under within the recipe card.
Lentils – Ideally brown lentils or inexperienced lentils. Pink lentils cook dinner in another way and due to this fact will end in a unique texture.
Greens – A mixture of grape tomatoes, cucumber and purple onion works splendidly to attain the Greek and Mediterranean taste profile.
Contemporary mint – Do not skip the mint — belief me on this one! It pairs completely with the opposite elements.
Halloumi – You’ll find halloumi cheese at most grocery shops within the cheese part.
Olive oil – That is the bottom of the dressing and I would not counsel substitution some other sort of oil.
Vinegar – I used purple wine vinegar, however white wine vinegar would work effectively too.
Lemon juice – Supplies slightly acidity and zest to the dressing and helps hold it gentle and contemporary.
Garlic – A “should” for many recipes, in my view. A little bit bit goes a good distance.
Directions
Step 1: Prepare dinner the lentils. Begin by including the lentils to a medium saucepan, then add water so it covers them by one inch. Convey to a boil, then scale back to a simmer and simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes. Drain any remaining water, then switch the lentils to a big bowl.
Step 2: Make the dressing. Whereas the lentils are cooking, whisk the olive oil, purple wine vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper collectively. Then, pour ⅓ of the dressing over the cooked lentils and stir to mix.
Step 3: Prep the veggies. Whereas the lentils are marinating within the dressing, chop the tomatoes, cucumber, purple onion, and mint and put aside.
Step 4: Prepare dinner the halloumi. Final, warmth a medium skillet or grill pan over medium-high warmth. As soon as heat, add the halloumi slices and cook dinner for 2-3 minutes per aspect till it is golden brown.
Step 5: Assemble. Lastly, add the cooked halloumi to the bowl with the lentils, together with the greens and toss to mix. Drizzle the remaining dressing overtop, do a fast style take a look at and add extra salt and black pepper as wanted.
Ideas and FAQs
- When cooking halloumi, be sure you pat it dry to take away any extra liquid that was contained in the packaging; that means, it cooks evenly and prevents any chance of it softening whereas it cooks.
- On that very same notice, cook dinner halloumi in a single layer.
What’s one of the best ways to cook dinner halloumi?
Sometimes, I are inclined to cook dinner it over the range in a pan or skillet. However, you may as well grill halloumi in the event you want in a grill pan or on the precise grill. If you are going to use a grill, you should definitely brush the halloumi with slightly oil beforehand to stop it from sticking.
Is there anything I might add to this salad?
At all times! If you wish to bulk this up much more, strive including sliced avocado for wholesome fat or drained and rinsed canned chickpeas for added protein. You possibly can additionally substitute contemporary basil for the mint in the event you want.
Storage
Fridge: Retailer halloumi salad in a sealed container within the fridge for as much as 4 days.
Simpler lunch recipes
In case you made this recipe, you should definitely go away a remark and star ranking under. Thanks!
Fried Halloumi Lentil Salad
This Halloumi Lentil Salad is made with cooked lentils, roasted tomatoes, cucumber, and pan-fried halloumi, together with a easy zesty dressing. It is a contemporary, wholesome vegetarian lunch that you will need to make all summer time lengthy!
Servings:
Elements
- 1 cup dry brown or inexperienced lentils rinsed
- 1 pint grape tomatoes sliced
- 1 ½ cups cucumber diced
- ½ cup purple onion diced
- 3 tablespoon contemporary mint chopped; or extra to style
- 8 oz. halloumi sliced
for the dressing:
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoon purple wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves chopped
- ¾ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Directions
-
Add lentils to a medium saucepan, then cowl them with water by 1 inch. Convey to a boil, then scale back to a simmer then simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes till the lentils are gentle. Drain any remaining water, then switch the lentils to a big bowl.
-
In the meantime, make the dressing: whisk olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper collectively, then pour ⅓ of the dressing over the lentils and stir to mix, permitting the lentils to marinate.
-
Subsequent, slice the tomatoes, cucumber, purple onion, and mint and put aside.
-
Final, cook dinner the halloumi. Warmth a big skillet over medium-high warmth. As soon as scorching, add the halloumi slices in a single layer and cook dinner for 2-3 minutes per aspect or till golden brown.
-
Assemble the salad: add the veggies and halloumi to the bowl with the lentils. Pour the remaining dressing overtop and revel in!
Notes
*Energy are per serving and are an estimation
Vitamin
Energy: 553kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 27g | Fats: 33g | Saturated Fats: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 3g | Monounsaturated Fats: 17g | Sodium: 985mg | Potassium: 886mg | Fiber: 17g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1208IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 637mg | Iron: 5mg
UPDATE NOTE: This put up was initially printed in Could 2017. It was up to date with new textual content and images in June 2023.