Halloumi Couscous Salad
This halloumi and couscous salad is perfect for a summer bbq party or potluck because it can be made ahead and stores well. Pairs perfectly with grilled meat, or as a vegetarian meal.
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 357kcal
Ingredients
Halloumi Couscous Salad
- 1 cup couscous
- 2 fresh corn cobs, kernels removed
- 1 cup seedless cucumber, chopped
- 2 green onion, chopped
- ½ 15oz can low sodium black beans
- ¾ cup chopped tomatoes
- 1½ cups arugula or spinach (or just a large handful)
- 8 oz halloumi cheese
Creamy Dijon Dressing
- 1 tablespoon shallot, minced
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 1 tablespoon apple juice
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons honey
- kosher salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large, shallow pan with a lid, add 1 cup of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stir in couscous and corn kernels, cover, and turn off the heat. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then remove lid and fluff with a spoon.
- Meanwhile place all the ingredients for the dressing in a small mason jar and shake till creamy and well-mixed (or whisk). Add the cucumber, green onions, black beans, tomatoes, and arugula to a large bowl, along with the couscous.
- Carefully use a paper towel soaked with vegetable or avocado oil to rub the grill grates and preheat the grill to medium high heat. Add halloumi cheese, sliced in half if very thick, and grill for 4-5 minutes per side or until grill marks form and the cheese begins to soften inside.
- Toss couscous and vegetables with a little bit of the dressing (taste and see how much you like before adding in the entire dressing). Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste, but go easy on the salt because halloumi will fill in what you're missing. Serve with the halloumi in whole pieces or sliced.
Notes
- Quinoa can be substituted for couscous for a gluten free option.
- For extra flavor, I love to simmer vegetable broth instead of water which helps flavor the couscous even more.
- Trader Joe's has the best price on halloumi that I have seen.
- For a low sodium alternative, use mozzarella balls instead of halloumi (but don't grill them).
- Wait to toss the dressing till the end so the vegetables don't get soggy.
- For migraine-friendly, use a sulfite-free dijon mustard like Annie's.
Nutrition
Calories: 357kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 526mg | Potassium: 172mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 211IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 410mg | Iron: 1mg