I’m not sure which ingredient is the star here – the Halloumi cheese or this dressing made primarly of processed Kalamata olives? The Kalamata olive is best known as topping the famous Greek or Horiatiki salad. The Halloumi cheese, born in Cyprus, enjoyed equally throughout the Middle East and gaining new fans around the world. Table by table.
Let’s talk about the dressing, I first saw this dressing at Kalyn’s Kitchen a few years ago and I’ve enjoyed serving this in many variations. Today I combined Kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh thyme from the garden, Greek extra-virgin olive oil and a couple of grilled scallions for a hint of smoky flavour.
The gas grill was flicked on tonight so in keeping with the same theme, the Halloumi cheese also made contact with the white hot grill. Well-brushed, the grill seared the cheese, just slightly softening it and offering a warm cheese topping to this very flavourful salad. The greens in this dish were Romaine lettuce, another Spring offering that goes well with scallions and some halved cherry tomatoes, the sweetness in the salad.
Grilled Halloumi Salad With a Kalamata Olive Vinaigrette
(serves 4)
8-10 Romaine lettuce leaves, rinsed, patted dry and hand torn
8-10 Kalamata olives, pitted
2 sun-dried tomatoes
2 scallions, grilled
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. of fresh thyme leaves
1/2 tsp. fresh ground pepper
1/3 extra-virgin olive oil
splash of red wine vinegar
2-3 Halloumi cheese, sliced into 1/2 inch slices
1/2 pint of cherry tomatoes, halved
- Using the side of your chef’s knife, press down on the olives and remove the pits. Place the olives in your food processor along with the sun-dried tomatoes, the mustard, thyme and set aside.
- In the meantime, pre-heat your grill. Ensure the grill surface is brushed of any residue and treating with a wiping of some vegetable (so nothing sticks). Place your scallions on the grill and cook on each side for 2-3 minutes or until slightly charred. Remove the root and end (charred) part of the scallions, roughly chop and add into your food processor. Process until amalgamated and slowly add your olive oil until the desired consistency. Adjust seasoning, add some fresh ground pepper, a splash of red wine vinegar and set aside.
- Place your slices of Halloumi cheese on your hot grill. Sear for a minute or two on each side. Remove from your grill.
- Toss the Kalamata vinaigrette with you Romaine lettuce and cherry tomatoes and serve on a platter. Top with your grilled and still warm Halloumi cheese.
- Serve with some crusty bread and a Nefeli Xynisteri white from Cyprus.
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© 2007-2010 Peter Minakis
This one really is hard to resist. Gorgeous. :)
Anything with calamata olives and chees is amazing. This is a great recipe – Thanks!
Very interesting salad Peter… a very nice food company!!
Fantastic! It is a pity that Halloumi is so hard to find and expensive here…
Cheers,
Rosa
Love the halloumi. You gotta try it with shrooms next time. Not that I’m dissing the kalamatas or anything :)
halloumi – i love it! always a sensational addition to bbqs and salads. this looks great!
I’ve panfried halloumi many times, but I’ve never grilled it. I’m scared it’ll melt through the bars. But yours looks so delicious!
excellent salad, peter. the precise markings are indicative of a perfectionist behind the grill. :)
Yay!! My store finaly has Halloumi back in stock and I bought it as soon as I saw it! Since the only thing I like more than cheese is olives, I am in heaven here!
I keep reading about halloumi cheese but have yet to try it. I’m going to have to track some down and make this delicious-looking dish.
I have some halloumi sitting in the fridge waiting for it’s moment to shine.
Love this recipe. I think I will be making this all summer long!
Now this is a perfect summer salad! Going to at this to my list of things to try!
My love for soft cheese has become even strongah Petah…I want some halloumi soon. Just found 2 recipes this week on home made halloumi, and once I get there, this is where I’ll reach! Just my kind of salad!
I love halloumi cheese – your salad looks perfect for the coming season!
As usual amazing presentation and perfect meal for warmer spring days. Thanks for sharing.Meanwhile pass by my blog to receive a much deserved award!
That looks delicious!
Greetings from Gibraltar.
Brian
ΤώÏα ξÎÏεις τι μου θÏμισες, ε?
Τον Ευκάλυπτο, θυμάσαι που μας σεÏβίÏανε Îνα παÏόμοιο ψητό χαλοÏμι με πιτοÏλες??
Ααααχχ καλοκαιÏάκι!!
peter you make a kickass salad! this is perfect for upcoming hot summer nights.
Wonderful flavours as usual Peter! Love that dressing!
Now that’s one Halloumi-licious looking salad!!!
LOVE this one – I have it bookmarked :)
I love haloumi! & my daughter especially likes it because of the squeaky sound it makes against her teeth. It’s such a versatile cheese. I’m with you Peter,,,,,,,,,,haloumi or Kalamata dressing? At any rate both are delish!
love the kalamata olives dressing idea. I will try it as soon as my care package of authentic village hallumi arrives from cyprus.
I have a constant battle with the family and olives, but I will persevere until they enjoy them as much as I do…I will have to make a single portion of this…
I love the dressing. Grilled haloumi cheese is fabulous as well.
O another great recipe with haloumi! I’ve only recently discovered haloumi but I am already addicted. It’s hard to find here but I know just one store in Amsterdam that sells it, so I will definitely be trying this recipe soon too!