Description
A vibrant and refreshing Halloumi & Quinoa Fattoush salad featuring crispy grilled pitta pieces, charred halloumi slices, fresh vegetables, and a zesty lemon garlic dressing. This Middle Eastern-inspired dish combines nutritious quinoa with fresh herbs and a crunchy texture, perfect for a light lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pitta and Dressing
- 2 brown pittas, torn into pieces
- 5 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 2 lemons, juiced
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
Halloumi and Quinoa
- 250g block halloumi, sliced
- 250g microwavable pouch quinoa
Salad Vegetables and Herbs
- 350g medium tomatoes, quartered
- 1 large cucumber, halved, deseeded and sliced
- 4 spring onions, sliced
- ½ small bunch mint, chopped
- ½ small bunch dill, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Prepare and Grill Pitta: Preheat your grill to high. Toss the torn pitta pieces with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then spread them evenly on a baking sheet. Grill for 3-4 minutes, turning halfway through, until they are golden and crisp. Remove and set aside to cool.
- Make Lemon Garlic Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 4 tablespoons of olive oil with the freshly squeezed lemon juice and crushed garlic clove. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside to allow flavors to meld.
- Cook and Char Halloumi: Heat a large griddle pan or non-stick frying pan over high heat. Add the sliced halloumi and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side until they develop a light golden char. Remove from heat.
- Cook Quinoa: Cook the microwavable pouch of quinoa according to the package instructions. Once cooked, allow it to cool to room temperature.
- Assemble Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooled quinoa with the quartered tomatoes, sliced cucumber, spring onions, most of the chopped mint and dill, and the prepared lemon garlic dressing. Toss gently to combine and season with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Transfer the quinoa salad onto a serving plate. Top with the charred halloumi slices, grilled pitta pieces, and sprinkle the remaining fresh herbs over the top for garnish. Enjoy immediately for the best texture.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs generously to enhance the flavor and freshness of the salad.
- If microwavable quinoa is unavailable, cook regular quinoa according to package instructions and cool before using.
- The grilled pitta can be substituted with toasted pita chips for extra crispness.
- For a vegan version, replace halloumi with grilled tofu or a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Adjust lemon and garlic in the dressing according to your taste preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keywords: Halloumi, Quinoa, Fattoush, Middle Eastern Salad, Grilled Cheese, Healthy Salad, Vegetarian Dinner
