This “quick halloumi and avocado salad” is the result of some creative thinking, and while I originally had no intention of posting it, it looked just so darn nice on the plate (and tasted amazing) that I decided to grab a few quick snaps and write it up.
I was in town and lost track of time somewhat. My wife was due to work in the afternoon and when I returned from town she was taking a well-deserved nap before leaving. I decided to make her a little something to eat before she went to work but the question was… “what?”.
Having a look through the fridge I found halloumi, avocado, and some fresh spinach and pea shoots (leftover from my fried brie – yes, this dish is indeed from a couple of weeks ago and I’m only getting around to posting it now!). Well, that was about everything I needed. Chuck in a slice of bread and you’ve got something fairly balanced – protein, carbs, fat… you could even add in a soft boiled or poached egg on top, although I didn’t feel like that was necessary. Of course, like I said – this salad was the result of some quick refrigerator-raiding. I wouldn’t substitute the halloumi (because oh my God I love halloumi) or the avocado, or the bread really, but the salad composition itself… you can totally wing it.
In other news, my vegetables are coming along fairly well. Pretty much all the peas I planted have come up and are looking healthy. The squash, peppers, chillies and tomatoes in the greenhouse are also looking good. The cucumbers… not so much. I sowed the seeds initially in these little cardboard pots, like egg-boxes. The claim was that when planted directly into the earth, they would break up and “become one with the earth”. “Bulls*#&”, is all I have to say. My cucumbers started yellowing and looking decidedly unhealthy. My only thought was that those stupid little pots had indeed not broken up and were basically stunting the growth, since the roots could not grow out, and the seedling must have by now used up what tiny amount of nutrients was in the soil in the small pot. I carefully dug up on of the seedlings (which incidentally hadn’t really grown a great deal, despite being out there for around two weeks already) and noticed that the cardboard pot was in “great” shape, and fully intact.
I carefully removed the pots from all seedlings and replanted them – a couple of them are looking healthier already, although I think it’s too late for three of them now. Well, I’ll know for next time, that’s for sure!
Anyway, before I move on to the recipe, here’s something I guess a lot of you have been waiting for! The results of my previous giveaway, kindly sponsored by TeaVivre.
Here we go, thanks to random.org:
That means the winners are:
Please get in touch with me here (or by email if you have that) and we’ll sort out the details for the delivery.
Quick Halloumi and Avocado Salad
Ingredients
- 200 g Halloumi cheese
- 2 slices Wholegrain Bread
- 1 Avocado
- 1 large handful of fresh Spinach
- 1 small handful of Pea Sprouts
- 2 tbsps Olive Oil
- 1 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
- 2 Lemon Wedges
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cut the halloumi into two large thin blocks and grill the halloumi on a hot grill or grill pan for a few minutes on each side until slightly charred.
- Remove from the pan and rub 1tbsp of the Olive Oil into the bread on both sides. Grill the bread as well to achieve a similar result as for the halloumi.
- Arrange the spinach over two plates before placing the grilled bread and halloumi on top.
- Half the avocado and remove the seed and skin from each half. Slice and place next to the halloumi before garnishing with pea shoots and the lemon wedge.
- Mix together the remaining olive oil with the balsamic vinegar and drizzle over and sprinkle on a little salt and pepper to taste.
I still haven’t gotten around to buying any halloumi but the salad you’ve come up with using it is a definite winner. As you know, I’m a bit picky about my salads since I don’t care for a LOT of traditional salad ingredients, especially tomatoes and cucumber, but I can definitely see myself eating this on a Caesar salad base. I love the grill marks on the halloumi too. My next bbq menu is beginning to take shape. 🙂
Speaking of winners .. congratulations to all 3 ladies.
So Good 🙂 Thx for sharing pal!
I won? How cool is that?? Thanks so much.
I love halloumi too and it makes a salad into a meal for me. Your wife must have smiled as she ate this.
I love both halloumi and avocado, this one is definitely for me ) Looks amazing!
I think that’s the prettiest halloumi I’ve ever seen! I love your take on a salad here, Charles. Grilled cheese, avocado and spinach with a little olive oil and balsamic…simple and perfect. I’ve eaten halloumi but never cooked with it. I need to get some and I love how it looks grilled and bet it tastes even better.
Yay!! Thank you so much!
Charles, that’s a beauty! Isn’t it amazing what one can come up with simply by cleaning out the refrigerator?!
Congratulations to the winners!! Oh I need to pick up some more halloumi. I bought it last year, used it once and loved it. Now I want more so I can make this great salad. Lots of great flavors and textures. Thanks Charles!
It was a delicious surprise. Much appreciated <3
Gorgeous looking salad, I am glad you posted it. The avocadaos look refreshing, and I can feel the freshness. And may I add, what an awesome husband you make?
Congratulations to the winners!! Enjoy my bloggie dearies 🙂
WOW! How cool is that? Thank you so much Charles! I virtually never win anything so I’m super thrilled to have won this really cool prize. I’ll be sure to create something exceptional with it and blog about it.
I’m really loving this salad, I must admit that I have not tried Halloumi but by the looks of it, I know I would love it. Today’s lunch was grilled chicken with avocado and nectarines on a bed of arugula. I love avocado in a salad, or in anything for that matter!
At first glance, the halloumi looked as pretty as a nice fish dish. Thanks to creativity resulting in a fresh, simple and tasty meal! And congratulations to the winners!
Julie
Gourmet Getaways
Hello Uncle Charlie. I made this with Nana tonight and it was lovely, but it wasn’t as pretty as yours as Nana didn’t have any peashoots, so we had sweet corn instead, love Jia jia x x
Hi Jiajia, I’m glad you enjoyed it! I made a salad tonight which had sunflower shoots inside… like pea shoots but thicker and tasting of nuts a bit – you should ask nana to buy some for you :).
Have a nice visit in England, love from us all here in Sweden!
The photos are fantastic! This doesn’t look like quick meal at all.
The grill marks on the halloumi are gorgeous! I don’t know that I’ve had halloumi before. It’s something that I’ll need to explore. 🙂 I love that you came up with this after a quick raid of the fridge. If only I could be that creative. I hope your vegetables keep coming along. I’m sure you’re going to learn a lot this year – new soil, new climate, etc.
How lovely for Eva and Maureen. I don’t know Erin but well done to her too. I have some halloumi in the fridge and have been wondering how to serve it. This is a brilliant idea. I’m going to roast a leg of lamb and have this salad on the side. Lamb and halloumi are brilliant together xx
How nice to see someone I know won the giveaway! Congrats to the winners! Your grilled mark looks perfect! I love this healthy, light, and delicious salad!
I love haloumi with anything and everything, and by itself too. Great salad you put together, and I love that grilled bread too, yum!
Such a wonderful summer salad, I could need a bite now during those rainy European days.
Would love to see your garden’s progress. I wonder if there is a difference in growing veggies up in Norway compared to the lower European parts.