Description
This Mediterranean Grain Salad with Grilled Halloumi is a vibrant, fresh dish combining a wholesome mix of grains, crisp vegetables, tangy lemon juice, and aromatic herbs. Enhanced by crispy harissa-spiced chickpeas and smoky grilled halloumi cheese, this recipe offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it a satisfying vegetarian meal ideal for lunch or light dinner.
Ingredients
Grain Salad
- 1/2 bag Trader Joe's Harvest Grain Blend (1 1/4 cups)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 cucumber, peeled and sliced into quarter slices
- 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of 1-2 lemons
Chickpeas
- 1 can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained and rinsed
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon harissa spice
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
Grilled Halloumi
- 1 package (8 oz) Halloumi cheese, sliced into 1/2 inch thick strips
- Lemon juice for spritzing
- Fresh parsley for topping
To Serve
- Liberal dollop of tzatziki
Instructions
- Cook the Grains: Begin by cooking half of the Trader Joe's Harvest Grain Blend following the package instructions. Once cooked, spread the grains on a baking sheet and chill in the refrigerator to cool completely.
- Prepare Vegetables and Toss Salad: Chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and fresh parsley. Combine them with the chilled grains in a large bowl. Drizzle with 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil and squeeze in the juice of 1-2 lemons. Toss everything together thoroughly and store the salad in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Cook the Chickpeas: Heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the drained and rinsed chickpeas and cook, stirring occasionally, until they brown and crisp on all sides; this should take around 8-10 minutes.
- Season Chickpeas: Transfer the browned chickpeas to a medium bowl. Sprinkle the harissa spice and coarse sea salt over the chickpeas, then toss well until they are fully coated. Set aside.
- Grill the Halloumi: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Slice the halloumi cheese into 1/2 inch thick strips. Place them directly on the grill grates and cook until the cheese starts to caramelize and char, about 2-3 minutes per side. Turn the cheese once to achieve an even char and aroma reminiscent of perfectly grilled cheese.
- Finish Halloumi: Transfer the grilled halloumi to a plate, spritz with fresh lemon juice, and garnish with chopped parsley for extra freshness.
- Serve: Top the grain salad with the crispy harissa chickpeas and serve alongside the grilled halloumi. Add a generous dollop of tzatziki on the side for a creamy, cooling contrast.
Notes
- Trader Joe's Harvest Grain Blend typically contains pre-cooked grains, so follow package instructions carefully for best results.
- If harissa spice is unavailable, substitute with a mix of smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and ground cumin for a similar flavor profile.
- For a vegan version, replace halloumi with grilled tofu and omit the butter used in the grain cooking.
- Tzatziki can be homemade or store-bought depending on convenience.
- Grilling halloumi on a cast iron skillet indoors is a suitable alternative if a grill is not available.
