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Roasted Pear and Halloumi Salad

The other day, discussions started about what we should have for Christmas dinner. Obviously, my kids have the big issues to deal with! There was much dissent around the main course, though there was unanimous approval of our traditional triple chocolate and raspberry pavlova for dessert. After moving to the farm, our Chrismas lunch usually consists of cold meats and salads followed by a selection of desserts. Hannah has put in a request for smoked salmon (she has her mothers taste), while I’m thinking about what salads to make.

Last year I trotted out a pomegranate and halloumi salad I had found in a food magazine which was absolutely delicious. I love halloumi and commented that it was a shame we really only have it on special occasions, especially when the family loves it, and it is quick and easy to prepare. The next time CB was at the supermarket, he picked up a packet, saying that we should be having our favourite foods often, and not just for special occasions. Who am I to disagree??

Since then halloumi salad has made a regular appearance on our dinner table. When pomegranates went out of season, I made up my own salad based on the ingredients we had available, and it has been a hit. I often grill some chicken to go with the salad, but it can easily work as a main on its own too. The halloumi adds a meaty protein punch. We often toss some cucumber into the salad or some nuts over the top for added crunch.

The variety of textures and the salty flavour of the halloumi contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the apple and pear and the tanginess of the dressing. It’s one of those recipes that when the kids ask “whats for dinner” (which let’s face it, is asked a million times every day), always gets an enthusiastic response. Since moving back to the farmhouse, we have been keeping a stash of different cheeses in the fridge so that we always have what we need ready to go, and halloumi will last a little while on the fridge door, so it’s perfect to have on hand.


Roasted Pear and Haloumi Salad
 
Print
Prep time
10 mins
Cook time
20 mins
Total time
30 mins
 
Author: Jo @ Country Life Experiment
Recipe type: Salad
Ingredients
  • 250g halloumi cheese
  • 30ml olive oil
  • 2 large (3 small) red apples - I use pink ladies
  • 2 just ripe pears
  • 1 avocado
  • 100g baby spinach leaves
  • 1t maple syrup
  • 1t apple cider vinegar
  • 1t pomegranate mollases
  • 2t olive oil - extra
  • 30g roughly chopped walnuts (optional)
Method
  1. Combine maple syrup, cider vinegar, molasses and olive oil in a small bowl and whisk to combine.
  2. Slice the halloumi into 08.cm thick slices.
  3. Heat a frypan over a high heat, add in some oil for frying, and fry the halloumi until golden on each side.
  4. While the halloumi is cooking, core the apples and pears and cut into thin wedges - I get between 12 and 16 slices per apple depending on the size.
  5. One the halloumi has cooked, remove from the pan, and set aside. Tear into smallish pieces.
  6. Heat some more oil in the frypan and cook the apple and pear until they are slightly caramelised on each side, but still crisp in the middle.
  7. Remove the apple and pear from the pan.
  8. Peel and slice the avocado.
  9. In a large serving bowl, place the baby spinach, avocado, apple, pear, and halloumi. Toss gently with the dressing.
  10. Sprinkle over the walnuts if desired.
  11. Serve.
Notes
*If you don't have pomegranate molasses, add an extra teaspoon each of cider vinegar and maple syrup.

I tend to serve this with some grilled chicken, but it would also be fine as a meal on its own.
3.5.3229

Are you a fan of Halloumi? Worked out what you’re having for Christmas dinner yet? Me neither.

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Comments

  1. Katie says

    November 23, 2017 at 8:52 pm

    Yes, I am a fan of halloumi…and yes, I may have worked out what I’m having for Christmas dinner…
    Looks great!

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Jo

I'm a city girl turned farmer's wife, school teacher, ideas woman, and mum to three country kids. Country Life Experiment is all about simple country living, growing and making our own food, and life on our family farm in rural Australia. Join me as I give country living a try. Read more...
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A lovely, easy Christmas with family, good food, a A lovely, easy Christmas with family, good food, a few presents, an afternoon swim and dinner on the veranda as the sun set. Time to stop and be thankful for the many blessings of the year. I hope you had a lovely Christmas too!
We have been mulling over how to fix up the drivew We have been mulling over how to fix up the driveway and lead up to our house for a while. Currently it’s just a dumping ground for old bits of metal and a big pile of mulch, but C would like to create a turning area and put in a garden. First up though, there’s a huge old stump that needs to go. What better excuse is there to have a fire on Sunday afternoon? C and the kids jumped on the quad bike and trailer, and hauled back a big pile of sticks and logs to help the stump burn. Once the fire was going, marshmallows were found and roasted. No better way to spend time together.
Team work makes the dream work. We were asked rec Team work makes the dream work. 
We were asked recently whether we “make” our kids work on the farm. The answer is of course not. Having said that, all three love to help out whenever they can. They all work hard because they want to; because they take pride in working hard and contributing in a meaningful way to our family life; because they love living on our farm and don’t remember life before we moved here. Whether it be planting trees or doing sheep work or feeding animals, they all want to be involved. As a parent, nothing is better than watching them grow in skill and confidence as they work along side you. We’re so glad that we get to spend time with our three, working together.
We’ve had an unexpected addition to the family ☘️🐑. She is a lot easier to look after than the other family members but she does try to escape her yard and head butt people. Poddy lambs are super cute but they tend to think they are a human. Clover the lamb is sure that Meg is her mum. Can’t think why… 🤔🤣
The perfect way to end a long winter weekend: toge The perfect way to end a long winter weekend: together, cooking damper around the remains of the bonfire.
It’s been a tough few weeks on the farm. We got It’s been a tough few weeks on the farm. We got through shearing without a hitch (thankfully 🙏) but we’ve had a run of the flu followed by Covid run through the family since then. The kids and I have tested positive (this is my second time getting it 🦠) though so far C has managed to avoid it. There has been a lot of lying on the couch feeling pretty ordinary. Han had to reschedule her driving test for a 4th time due to Covid, which is disappointing for her because she wants her freedom and for us because it would be so much more convenient if she could drive herself places. Just to add in to the mix, our hot water system has chosen now as a good time to die so we’re on cold showers until we’re all out of iso. This is not meant to be a whinging post but sometimes life just sucks a bit and it’s good to be real. Fortunately, the sight of the fire going with a stack of wood next to it cheers us up. Things will improve soon. Onwards we go…

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Hi, I’m Jo

City girl turned farmer's wife, school teacher, ideas woman, and mum to three country kids. Country Life Experiment is all about simple country living, growing and making our own food, and life on our family farm in rural Australia. Join me as I give country living a try. Read more...
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