Now THIS is the cheese that can truly level up any side salad! Halloumi is a Mediterranean cheese that is mellow in flavor and great for grilling or pan frying because it doesn't melt. Instead, you get a crisp exterior and a soft, gooey interior that has a slight feta-like tang. Served over arugula with tomatoes, this salad is ultra satisfying and delicious.

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INGREDIENTS
SUBSTITUTIONS
VARIATIONS
EQUIPMENT
STORAGE
Top Tips
MORE RECIPES
FAQ
📖 Recipe
Food Safety
💬 Comments

INGREDIENTS

Arugula lettuce
Halloumi cheese
Roma tomatoes
Pepper

Dressing

Lemon vinaigrette or Greek vinaigrette

SUBSTITUTIONS

Tomatoes - Try campari (pictured above) or cherry tomatoes instead of roma.

VARIATIONS

Nutrition - Add more vegetables for extra health benefits. Cucumbers, red onion, garbanzo beans, and kalamata olives would make a great addition.

EQUIPMENT

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STORAGE

Store salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator without dressing for 2-3 days. If the salad is moist from being washed, place a paper towel on top of it to draw out the moisture.

Top Tips

Buy pre-washed and ready-to-eat lettuce to save time.

MORE RECIPES

Have leftover ingredients?

Use up leftover arugula by adding it to a grain bowl, placing it on top of pizza, or as a sandwich topping as we did in this Prosciutto Caprese Sandwich.
For a simple and tasty appetizer, pan-fry leftover Halloumi and drizzle it with honey.
Serve leftover Halloumi on a Mediterranean platter with pita bread, hummus, kalamata olives, and other vegetables.

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FAQ

Is arugula a superfood?

Yes! Arugula is considered a cruciferous vegetable. It is full of antioxidants and rich in nutrients. For this reason, it would be a great leafy green to add to any healthy smoothie for weight loss benefits.

Why is halloumi cheese squeaky?

Take a bite of Halloumi for the first time and you may notice a slight squeak when chewing. This has to do with the protein structure of the cheese when heated, and it is also what gives Halloumi its springy texture.

Should tomatoes be refrigerated?

Refrigerating tomatoes will extend their shelf life, but could also decrease their flavor or change their texture. If you don't want your tomatoes to go bad, wait until they are fully ripe, refrigerate for a few days, then bring them back to room temperature before slicing.

📖 Recipe

Halloumi Side Salad

Jami Powell

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 2

Total Time 7

Course Lunch, Side Dish

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings

Equipment

Ingredients

5 oz Arugula lettuce
3 qty Roma tomatoes
8 oz Halloumi cheese
1 tablespoon Olive oil
¼ teaspoon Pepper (or to taste)

Dressing

4 tablespoon Lemon vinaigrette or Greek vinaigrette

Instructions

Wash lettuce and set it aside to drain in a colander.
Cut halloumi cheese into cubes. Using a cast iron skillet or fry pan, sear halloumi cheese in a small amount of olive oil on medium heat until crisp 1-2 minutes. Remove from burner.
Cut tomatoes into sections.
Prepare salad with all ingredients. Drizzle dressing of choice over the top.
Toss and serve. Add more pepper (if desired).

Keyword cheese grits, halloumi

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Food Safety

Wash hands and create a clean work area.
Rinse fresh produce thoroughly.
Do not use the same cutting board or utensils on cooked food or produce, that previously touched raw meat or seafood.
Do not leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.

See more guidelines at USDA.gov