Farro and Halloumi Salad
with Fig Dressing, Veggies and Toasted Almonds- Milk
- Wheat
- Almonds
- Sulphites
- Mustard
Packed with veggies and tasty grains, this salad is a refreshing complement to the satisfying squeak and salty, creamy taste of halloumi cheese. Add in a sweet and savoury fig dressing, and you're set to go with this simple and delicious Mediterranean-inspired dish!
200 g
Halloumi Cheese
()
56 g
Red Onion
160 g
Sweet Bell Pepper
½ cup
Farro
()
28 g
Almonds, sliced
()
2 tbsp
Fig Spread
1 tbsp
Balsamic Vinegar
()
1 unit
Vegetable Broth Concentrate
113 g
Baby Spinach
7 g
Thyme
1.5 tsp
Dijon Mustard
()
3 tbsp
Oil*
0.13 tsp
Salt*
0.13 tsp
Pepper*
Before starting, wash and dry all produce. Add farro, broth concentrate and 3 cups water (dbl for 4 ppl) to a medium pot. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low. Cook uncovered until farro is tender, 14-16 min. When farro is done, drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, strip 1 tbsp thyme leaves (dbl for 4 ppl) off stems. Peel, then cut half the onion into 1/2-inch pieces (whole onion for 4 ppl). Core, then cut pepper into 1/2-inch pieces. Cut halloumi into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Rinse halloumi under cold water, then pat dry with paper towels. (TIP: This will reduce the saltiness of the cheese.)
Heat a large non-stick pan over medium heat. When hot, add almonds to the dry pan. Toast, stirring often, until golden-brown, 4-5 min. (TIP: Keep your eye on the almonds so they don't burn!) Transfer to a plate. Add halloumi to the same pan. (NOTE: Don't overcrowd the pan. Cook in batches for 4 ppl.)Pan-fry until golden-brown, 1-3 min per side. Transfer halloumi to the plate with the almonds and set aside.
Add 1 tbsp oil (dbl for 4 ppl), then onions, peppers and thyme to the same pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until peppers are tender-crisp, 4-5 min.
Meanwhile, whisk together Dijon, vinegar, 1 tbsp fig spread and 2 tbsp oil (dbl both for 4 ppl) in a large bowl. Add farro, veggies, spinach and half the almonds. Season with salt and pepper, then toss to coat.
Divide farro salad between plates. Top with halloumi. Sprinkle with remaining almonds. Spoon remaining fig spread over top, if desired.
- Flavor: Many loved the combination of salty halloumi, sweet fig dressing, and nutty farro; some found it too salty or sweet.
- Ease of prep: Quick and easy to make for most, though some noted farro needed longer cooking time than instructed.
- Suggestions: Consider adding more greens, chopping spinach for easier eating, and including extra dressing on the side.
- Portions: Several mentioned wanting more spinach or vegetables relative to the amount of farro and cheese.
- Texture: Some enjoyed the contrasting textures, while others found the halloumi rubbery or the farro too chewy.
