A refreshing summer salad combining sweet watermelon with salty grilled halloumi, peppery arugula, and fresh mint. This Mediterranean-inspired dish offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures that's both satisfying and cooling.
Recipe Details
Ingredients
- 225g halloumi cheese, sliced into 1cm thick pieces
- 500g watermelon, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 100g fresh arugula leaves
- 1/4 red onion, very thinly sliced
- 30g fresh mint leaves, torn
- 60ml extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 40g pine nuts, toasted
- 80g fresh pomegranate seeds (optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil for grilling
Instructions
-
Preheat grill pan or outdoor grill to medium-high heat. Brush 225g halloumi cheese slices lightly with 1 tbsp olive oil for grilling.
-
Grill halloumi for 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown grill marks appear and cheese is warmed through. Set aside to cool slightly.
-
In a small bowl, whisk together 60ml extra virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard, and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper to make dressing.
-
In a large serving bowl, combine 100g fresh arugula leaves, 500g watermelon cubes, and 1/4 red onion slices.
-
Cut grilled halloumi into bite-sized pieces and add to the salad along with torn 30g fresh mint leaves leaves.
-
Drizzle dressing over salad and toss gently to combine, being careful not to break up the watermelon.
-
Top with toasted 40g pine nuts and 80g fresh pomegranate seeds (optional) if using. Serve immediately while halloumi is still warm.
Tips
Halloumi Grilling: Don't over-grill the halloumi or it will become tough and rubbery. Just 1-2 minutes per side is enough to get beautiful marks and warm it through.
Watermelon Selection: Choose a ripe, sweet watermelon that's firm enough to hold its shape when cubed. Remove all seeds before cutting into pieces.
Assembly Timing: Assemble this salad just before serving to prevent the ingredients from releasing too much moisture and making the salad soggy.
Flavor Balance: The combination of sweet watermelon, salty halloumi, and peppery arugula creates the perfect flavor balance. Adjust lemon juice to taste.
Seasonal Variations: In winter, substitute watermelon with pear or apple slices. Fresh figs also work beautifully when in season.