This is not your average summer salad recipe. Juicy nectarines, extra crispy, golden-brown halloumi and a spicy-sweet hot honey vinaigrette. It's bold, it's bright, and it's the kind of salad that makes you feel like you're winning at dinner.
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The New York Times posted a video on grated crispy halloumi. I tried it and was hooked. I am not sure I will ever make a halloumi salad in the same way.
📖Why My Recipe Works
- Grated Not Grilling- Frying the cheese shreds gives you a crispy texture you can't get from slices.
- Sweet, Salty, Spicy- This recipe has bold but well-balanced flavors thanks to sweet nectarines, salty cheese, and a lightly spiced honey dressing.
Poppyseed salad dressing and basil balsamic vinegrette are good alternatives if you don't care for the hot honey. Serve with an easy flatbread, BBQ grilled chicken, and squash casserole for the perfect summer dinner party menu.
🧾Ingredient Notes
- Halloumi Cheese - Freeze the block for 10 minutes to make it easier to handle.
- Oil - You can use the same oil for the dressing and for frying but I typically use my fancy EVOO for the dressing and avocado oil for the frying.
- Nectarines - Choose slightly firm nectarines-they hold their shape better in salads. Peaches can be swapped in.
- Greens - You can use any lettuce you like, but I prefer baby spinach and/ or arugula.
- Onions - Use shallots or pickled red onions.
- Hot Honey - If you don't have it, stir a pinch of hot sauce, like Tabasco, into regular honey.
- Vinegar - Stick with light vinegar like champagne, white wine or rice vinegar.
⏲️How to Make a Nectarine Halloumi Salad
- The cheese should be coarsely grated so it doesn't totally melt before getting crispy.
- Fry untouched in a single layer, once crispy, flip and continue to fry.
- Whisk together the dressing ingredients and dress the greens only before adding the toppings.
- Layer on the remaining toppings and serve immediately.
Grilled Nectarine Salad
For a change of pace, you can grill the nectarines. Brush the necatorine slices with oil and grill over high heat for 2 to 3 minutes per side.
More Summer Salads
📖 Recipe Card
Nectarine Salad with Crispy Halloumi
Ingredients
- 8 ounces halloumi cheese
- 1 Tablespoon avocado oil or other neutral oil for frying
- 3 nectarines pit removed and cut into quarters
- 5 ounces arugula or spinach
- ½ cup pickled red onions
- ¼ cup fresh basil minced
Hot Honey Dressing
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons hot honey
- 1 Tablespoon champagne vinegar
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Coarsely grate the halloumi (freeze for 10 minutes to make this easier).8 ounces halloumi cheese
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the grated halloumi in a loose layer. Fry for 3 minutes, then flip and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more, or until deeply golden and crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.1 Tablespoon avocado oil
- Whisk together all the dressing ingredients. Season to taste with salt and pepper.3 Tablespoons olive oil, 2 Tablespoons hot honey, 1 Tablespoon champagne vinegar, pinch of salt
- Place the greens in a bowl or platter and drizzle with the dressing. Toss to coat.5 ounces arugula or spinach, ¼ cup fresh basil
- Top the greens with the nectarines, onions, and crispy cheese. Serve immediately.3 nectarines, ½ cup pickled red onions
Notes
🌡️Storing Leftovers
-
While best fresh, you can store components separately:
- Keep the dressing in a jar in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Store leftover crispy halloumi in an airtight container for 2 days, then reheat in a dry skillet to re-crisp.
- Assemble just before serving to keep the greens from wilting.
Nutrition
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Nancy says
Quick and easy.great way to cook the cheese