Description
A vibrant and nutritious bowl featuring grilled halloumi cheese and fresh vegetables, inspired by Mediterranean flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 block (8 oz) halloumi cheese
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 1/2 English cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- 1/2 cup prepared tzatziki sauce
- 2 pita breads, cut into wedges
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep your vegetables: Thinly slice the cucumber and red onion. Halve the cherry tomatoes, and if necessary, pit your olives. Set all these lovely veggies aside.
- Warm the pita: In a dry skillet or microwave, warm the pita bread for a few seconds until soft. Cut into wedges and keep warm.
- Prepare the halloumi: Slice the halloumi cheese into ½-inch thick pieces. Pat each slice thoroughly dry with paper towels to prevent sticking when cooking.
- Sear the halloumi: Heat a large non-stick skillet or well-seasoned cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and let it heat until shimmering but not smoking. Place the halloumi slices in a single layer in the skillet, cooking undisturbed for about 2–3 minutes until a deep golden-brown crust forms.
- Flip the cheese: Carefully flip the halloumi slices and cook for another 2–3 minutes until both sides are beautifully caramelized and golden. Remove them from the pan and set aside.
- Assemble the bowls: Divide the cooked rice between two large bowls. Arrange the seared halloumi, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and Kalamata olives over the rice in a colorful display.
- Finish with tzatziki: Top each bowl generously with tzatziki sauce, garnishing with freshly chopped dill and a sprinkle of salt and black pepper. Serve immediately with warm pita wedges on the side, ready for dipping.
Notes
Make-ahead tips include cooking the rice and preparing the vegetables a day in advance. Cooking alternatives like air-frying or oven-roasting halloumi can be considered for a different texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 75g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg