_Adjusts apron with a playful smile_
Ladies (and gentlemen), let me tell you about a salad that’s going to make your afternoon absolutely fabulous! This isn’t your boring old lettuce and tomato situation – we’re talking about a show-stopping salad that’ll have your taste buds doing a happy dance.
I stumbled upon this recipe during one of my “I’m so over basic lunches” moments, and honey, it’s been a game-changer! This Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece combines crispy romaine, sweet cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado, and – wait for it – perfectly seared halloumi cheese. Yes, you heard that right – we’re getting fancy up in here!
What You’ll Need (trust me on these):
– 2 hearts of romaine, chopped
– 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
– 1 ripe avocado, sliced
– 200g halloumi cheese, sliced
– 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
– 1/2 cup kalamata olives
– 1/3 cup pine nuts
– Fresh basil leaves
For the dressinggg (because every queen needs her crown):
– 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
– 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
– 1 clove garlic, minced
– 1 tsp honey
– Salt and pepper to taste
Oh, and before I forget – if you’re loving this recipe so far, make sure to follow me on Newsbreak for more drool-worthy recipes that’ll make your kitchen the place to be!
Now, let’s get cooking (or should I say, assembling)!
1. First things first, toast those pine nuts in a dry pan until golden brown. Keep an eye on them – they can go from perfect to burnt faster than you can say “oops!” Set aside to cool.
1. Slice that halloumi and pat it dry with paper towels. Heat a non-stick pan over medium-high heat and sear the cheese for about 2 minutes each side until golden brown. Trust me, this step is worth it!
1. In a small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients. Take a taste and adjust seasoning – you’re the boss here!
1. Now for the fun part! In a large bowl, arrange your romaine lettuce, then artfully place your tomatoes, avocado slices, olives, and red onion. Top with the warm halloumi (this is where the magic happens), sprinkle with those toasted pine nuts, and tear fresh basil leaves over the top.
1. Drizzle with your homemade dressing right before serving, and voilà!
The combination of warm, salty halloumi with the cool, crisp vegetables is absolutely divine. The pine nuts add that perfect crunch, while the balsamic dressing ties everything together like a perfect little bow.
Y’all, this salad is so good, it might just make you forget about those sad desk lunches forever! It’s fresh, it’s fancy, and it’s totally Instagram-worthy (just saying 💁♀️).
Don’t forget to follow me on Newsbreak for more recipes that’ll make your kitchen the happiest place on earth! And pretty please, drop a comment below to let me know how this salad turned out for you – I’m dying to hear if you loved it as much as I do! Share it with your friends who think salads are boring – we’ll prove them wrong together!
XOXO,
Your favorite recipe girl 💋
P.S. Anyone else’s mouth watering right now, or is it just me? 😉
