Friday Food: Haloumi, Pea and Mint Salad

3pm was a long time since breakfast at 9am and I was in need of fast food. I was in the Coles' car park with the latest Good Taste Magazine from Woolies. I am nothing if not all encompassing in my shopping habits.

I leafed through the magazine and my eyes zeroed in on the Haloumi, Pea and Mint Salad: especially the fact that it could be ready in a trice!! I found haloumi cheese in brine, a fresh bunch of mint and local frozen peas. A coup!!!

Within ten minutes of arriving home I was assuaging my hunger. This is not a salad meal, rather an accompaniment and would be great with chicken, fish and especially a BBQ I think

Haloumi, Pea and Mint Salad   serves 4 as a side

• 380g (2 1/2 cups) frozen baby peas
• 30ml good olive oil
• 180g haloumi cheese, cut into 1cm slices
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1 lemon zested
• 20ml lemon juice
• 1/4 tspn caster sugar

Heat 10ml of the oil in a frypan on medium heat. Fry the haloumi for 2 minutes on each side, remove and drain on paper towel.

While the haloumi is frying, put the frozen peas in a heatproof container and cover with boiling water. Stand for 2 minutes and then drain and refresh under cold water.

Combine the haloumi cheese and the mint leaves with the peas.

Make a dressing by whisking together the lemon zest, juice and caster sugar with the remaining 20ml of olive oil.

Dress the salad and serve immediately.

Comments

[Leeann]

The haloumi looks yummy.
I've only had it once in a restaurant but may have the courage to try some at home now :)

[Monika]

I LOVE fried cheese, but I'm not a fan of peas or mint. The finished meal looks delicious though.

[Drkknits.wordpress.com]

i have been a bit down and out with my food mojo but these posts have reminded me how much i love those middle eastern flavours like haloumi and sumac. inspiration for this mornings supermarket trip!

[Jan]

Yum, yum. Thanks for the reminder. I have an unopened packet of haloumi in the fridge and should use it up. Mint and peas would go well with it and I have both.

We make it into a meal salad with lots of rocket, the haloumi fried as you did. Add in cubes , plenty of them, of roasted pumpkin or kumara, whichever you have and toasted pine nuts. Add a dressing of olive oil and lemon juice. It makes a good casual summer meal. Perhaps a bread roll to round things out.

[inkberryblue]

I would really like to try this. I love the idea of something quick and Nigella always talks about how delicious fried haloumi cheese is.

By the way, I've made your banana and oat bread twice now...with LOTS of bananas and demerara sugar (for texture) on the top. It is so delicious I'm going to bake another loaf tomorrow to take to my parents' for afternoon tea. Thank you Cindy!!!

[Ann]

Yummy. I love haloumi & always make sure there is some when we have a BBQ.

[RoseRed]

Yum, I love haloumi! This looks so easy and yummy.

[mrspao]

Sounds delicious. I must try it :)