If I were a vegetarian (unlikely to ever happen!) I imagine there’d be a very high percentage of halloumi in my diet. It’s one of my favourite cheese’s – which is a tough gig, let me tell you – and is so versatile.
This warm halloumi butternut squash salad is a slightly healthier take on cheese. The salty halloumi and sweet. nutty butternut squash pair perfectly to make this dish into a well rounded meal. Salads that don’t really feel like you’re eating a salad are the best, in my opinion.
The key to this recipe is the butternut squash. Roasting it gives the squash an almost caramelised, honey taste which is ah-mazing (technical term!). Add in some toasted pine nuts to bring the whole thing together and you’ve got an easy, healthy and satisfying weeknight dinner.
p.s. there are quite a lot of ingredients in this but feel free to skip some or just use whatever you’ve got on hand. I just happened to have 3 types of leaves and tons of veg kicking about but use whatever you have in the fridge!
Ingredients
- 1 butternut squash, peeled & cubed
- 150g asparagus
- 1 sweet pepper
- 1 clove of garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried mixed herbs
- 50g spinach
- 100g baby kale
- 100g rocket
- 25g pine nuts, lightly toasted
- 250g halloumi cheese
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 4 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°c. Slice the asparagus and pepper into small pieces. In a bowl, combine all of the roasted veg ingredients and mix until the vegetables are all coated. Roast the butternut squash for 25 minutes before adding the asparagus and pepper. Roast for a further 10-15 minutes.
- Spray a griddle pan (or frying pan) with cooking spray. Add the halloumi to the hot pan over a medium heat. Fry for 2-3 minutes on each side, until lightly browned.
- In a bowl, assemble the salad ingredients and top with the roasted veg and halloumi cheese.
- Mix the olive oil and balsamic vinegar together and drizzle over the salad.
I’m gonna be needin me some halloumi now. LOVE halloumi I think it may be my fav cheese and jarlsberg and cheddar and stilton and comte yea I love them all. Looks yummy.
Haha I’m with you on that – there are too many good ones to pick a favourite!
This looks delicious, definitely something I’ll be saving for inspiration. I really love halloumi, it’s probably up there as one of my favourite cheeses too! I like the idea of having it with butternut squash- although I’m always so impatient when it comes to roasting it that it never quite gets soft enough.
Jennifer x
Ginevrella | Lifestyle Blog
Thanks Jennifer. Halloumi goes so well with butternut squash – you’ll just need a little patience 😉
Yum this looks so good! I really like haloumi but never seem to eat it very often, I definitely need to pick some up x
Jasmin Charlotte | UK Lifestyle Blog
I tend not to buy it that often either (despite loving it). This recipe has reminded me how great it is though!
This looks so good! <3 xx
Thanks Jennie 🙂
Yum, this sounds delicious! I love anything with halloumi, and I can imagine the sweet (from the squash) and salty go well together. It’s always nice to have inspiration for winter salads.
They do go so well together. Definitely, I find summer salads much easier to throw together so it’s nice to have a few wintery recipes to hand!
Hmm this looks delicious and we’ll definitely be giving it a try, we love any excuse to have Halloumi of an evening 😉
Thanks for linking it up to The Loveliest Food’s Recipe Swap Club!
Chloe x
Can’t beat it, can you? No worries, glad to be a part of it!
Im not a hue fan of butternut squash but even swapped for something simple like new potatoes would be incredible! Youve made me crave halloumi now…
styleaked.blogspot.co.uk
Definitely, sweet potato would be great too!
This is my kinda recipe… cheese AND health all in one!!!! A perfect lunch recipe, thank you!! xxx
You’re welcome, glad you like it!
This recipe looks absolutely delicious – I can’t wait to give it a try. x
P.S I found you via the recipe swap club on The Loveliest Food
Thanks Pam, glad you like it!