QUINOA & HALLOUMI SALAD
Salty cheese, hearty grains and a mix of fresh veggies make this quinoa salad a healthy side.
Ingredients + Preparation
- Quinoa (Two cups quinoa, four cups water; 1:2 ratio)
- Saganaki or haloumi cheese (150 g, sliced into flat pieces)
- Carrot (One, grated)
- Parsley (1/2 cup, chopped)
- Cucumber (Length of pointer finger, quartered and sliced)
- Spinach (1 handful)
- Small red onion (cut in half and finely sliced)
- Lemon (Half, for juicing)
- Olive oil (1 tbsp)
- Vinaigrette (See recipe)
- Salt & pepper (To taste)
Instructions
1. Wash the quinoa under room temp running water in the mesh sieve for about 30 seconds.
2. Add quinoa and water to the pot. Bring to a boil, then drop heat to medium to gently simmer until all the water has cooked off. Stir occasionally while cooking.
3. Cover and rest the quinoa for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and let cool a further 5 minutes. Move to the mixing bowl.
4. While resting quinoa, on medium-high heat cook cheese in 1 tbsp olive oil. Cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side.
5. Add carrot, parsley and spinach to bowl and mix through.
6. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Add salt & pepper to taste.
7. To serve, place cooked halloumi on top of salad and garnish with slivered almonds.
Sens Sips
Riesling
Rhine River Valley, Germany
Go for a wine with serious citrus to cut through the saltiness of the cheese. A riesling will also complement the freshness of the herbs, while not overpowering the earthiness of the quinoa.
Sens Toolkit
Mama's Wisdom
Quinoa is a grain higher in protein than most (8g vs 2g of others), so a good choice for this side dish. Cheese adds protein and calcium (besides teeth and bones, helps your muscles and nervous system). This dish has iron, fiber and vitamins A and C which are good for your digestion system, eyes, your blood's ability to carry oxygen and your immune system.
Mama Wulf
Marta De Wulf is a dietitian with over 25 years experience helping people explore and appreciate the link between food and personal wellbeing.
