Halloumi Blood Orange Fattoush

This Halloumi Blood Orange Fattoush is a vibrant Middle Eastern-inspired salad that brings a burst of color and flavor to your table. Featuring golden-fried halloumi, juicy blood orange segments, and crispy sourdough croutons, it is all brought together with a zesty dressing infused with sumac and pomegranate molasses.

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With a preparation time of just 20 minutes and a cooking time of 10 minutes, this dish is perfect for an easy yet impressive lunch or dinner. The combination of fresh greens, crunchy radishes, and sweet citrus makes it a refreshing vegetarian option for any occasion.

Ingredients

• Salad: 200 g halloumi cheese (sliced into 1 cm thick pieces), 2 blood oranges (peeled and segmented), 150 g mixed salad greens (romaine, arugula, parsley, mint), 1 small cucumber (diced), 8 cherry tomatoes (halved), ½ small red onion (thinly sliced), and 2 radishes (thinly sliced).
• Croutons: 2 thick slices sourdough bread (cut into cubes), 2 tbsp olive oil, and a pinch of sea salt.
• Dressing: 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1½ tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses, 1 tsp sumac, ¼ tsp ground black pepper, and ¼ tsp sea salt.

Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Toss sourdough cubes in olive oil and sea salt. Spread on a baking tray and bake for 8–10 minutes until golden and crispy; set aside to cool.

Step 2

In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, fry the halloumi slices for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown. Drain briefly on a paper towel.

Step 3

In a large salad bowl, combine salad greens, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, radishes, and blood orange segments.

Step 4

In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, sumac, black pepper, and salt to make the dressing.

Step 5

Add the fried halloumi and sourdough croutons to the salad bowl. Drizzle with dressing and gently toss to combine.

Step 6

Serve immediately while the halloumi is still warm.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

To ensure the best results, use the required tools including a non-stick skillet for frying the halloumi and a baking tray for the sourdough croutons. Cutting the halloumi into exactly 1 cm thick pieces allows for a perfect golden crust without the cheese becoming too soft.

Varianten und Anpassungen

For extra crunch, you can add toasted pistachios or walnuts to the mix. If blood oranges are unavailable, they can be substituted with regular oranges or pink grapefruit. Pomegranate seeds also make a colorful and tangy garnish.

Serviervorschläge

Pair this vibrant salad with a crisp white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc. Each of the 4 servings provides 340 calories, 21 g of fat, and 13 g of protein, making it a balanced and nutritious choice for a vegetarian diet.

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Enjoy this beautiful Halloumi Blood Orange Fattoush immediately while the flavors are fresh and the cheese is warm for the ultimate culinary experience.

Questions & Answers

→ Can I prepare the components ahead of time?

You can prep the dressing, vegetables, and croutons up to 24 hours in advance. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Fry the halloumi just before serving for optimal texture and flavor.

→ What can I use instead of pomegranate molasses?

Swap pomegranate molasses with equal parts balsamic glaze or reduced balsamic vinegar mixed with a touch of honey. This maintains the sweet-tart depth that balances the sumac and citrus elements.

→ Is halloumi suitable for vegetarians?

Most halloumi is vegetarian-friendly as it uses microbial or vegetable rennet rather than animal rennet. Always check the package labeling to confirm, especially if you follow strict dietary requirements.

→ How do I prevent the halloumi from sticking to the pan?

Use a well-seasoned non-stick skillet and avoid moving the cheese during the first 2 minutes of cooking. Let it develop a golden crust naturally before flipping. A light oil spray helps, though halloumi releases its own oils.

→ Can I make this gluten-free?

Replace the sourdough croutons with gluten-free bread cubes or omit them entirely. You can also add toasted nuts like pistachios or almonds for crunch instead of bread-based croutons.

→ What other citrus works well in this salad?

Regular navel oranges, pink grapefruit, or even segmented mandarins make excellent substitutes. Each brings slightly different sweetness levels—grapefruit adds more bitterness while mandarins are sweeter than blood oranges.