Tuesday 22 July 2014

Freekah Salad with Halloumi, Toasted Almonds, Lemon and Parsley













I like my winter salads to be big and hearty and packed with nutty grains and satisfying cheese. I like them to be able to hold their own as a one bowl meal, or next to a piece of roasted chicken. I really like to eat them cross legged in front of the TV with a glass of deep scarlet wine and with my eyes on Jax and Opie from SOA.

I nearly saved this salad for Friday just so I could say "Freekah Friday", but I thought that would be too silly.


Freekah Salad with Halloumi, Toasted Almonds, Lemon and Parsley
slightly adapted from Karen Marini's Feasting
Serves 4

300g freekah
70g dried blueberries
100ml extra virgin olive oil
juice 1 lemon
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 red onion, finely diced
1 large bunch parsley, leaves picked
50g toasted natural almonds, roughly chopped
250g halloumi

Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil and add the freekah. Reduce the heat and simmer for 40 minutes until tender. Drain and place into a serving bowl.

Slice the halloumi into 1/2cm slices. Put a dry frying pan on medium-high heat and cook the haloumi until it is golden brown on both sides. This will only take a minute or two. Add this to the freekah.

Add the dried blueberries, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper to the warm freekah and cheese. Throw in the onion and parsley and toss everything together gently. Sprinkle with toasted almonds and serve.


21 comments:

  1. You always know how to make me smile with fried cheese and salad. And a little bit of SOA never hurts either :)
    Love the dried blueberries in here too, I have some waiting at home for me - I guess it must have been fate.

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    1. I must have read your mind. Dried blueberries are one of my favourites. A bag never lasts long at my house.

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  2. That's not silly! I love it hahah :) Love, love your salad. It's so original and seems really good. After my rush at work, Rogers Cup in two weeks, I have a list of what to cook and on this, there's lots of halloumi!! :)

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    1. Have fun at Rogers Cup. Lucky you. I think any salad is improved out of sight with the addition of halloumi.

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  3. This is my type of salad - delicious!

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  4. Oh that looks lovely. You can be freekah anytime especially when it looks like this!

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  5. Your freekah salad looks yummy. I love your presentation, just plain beautiful!!

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  6. Saw halloumi at Trader Joe's, will be picking up a bag next time! love this salad!

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  7. I tried halloumi for the first time yesterday in a sweet and salty recipe and I fell in love with it. I like the addition of dried blueberry in your salad! This is so colorful!

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  8. I have not seen nor eaten Freekeh for years... what a wonderful salad!

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  9. HI!! Yes, first a salutation because I finally can and then a compliment on this salad. Doesn't look freekah...looks divine! :)

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  10. Halloumi is the best! We're obsessed with it this summer! Thanks for sharing!

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  11. Oh. Fab combination - Jax + Opie +cheese = HEAVEN! love your recipes and beautiful writing ; rarely comment (sorry) but drop in often. Thanks! Xx

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    1. So glad you took the time to comment Lorna. Thanks. x

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