Recipe: Greek Grilled Eggplant and Halloumi Cheese Salad with Lemon Dressing

Introduction

Greek cuisine is known for its fresh and vibrant flavors, and this grilled eggplant and halloumi cheese salad is no exception. This dish combines smoky grilled eggplant, salty halloumi cheese, and a tangy lemon dressing to create a delicious and satisfying salad that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish.

Ingredients

For the salad:

– 2 large eggplants

– 250g halloumi cheese

– 1 red onion, thinly sliced

– 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

– 1/2 cup Kalamata olives

– Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

For the lemon dressing:

– 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

– Juice of 1 lemon

– 2 cloves garlic, minced

– Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preparing the eggplant and halloumi:

– Slice the eggplants into 1/2-inch thick rounds.

– Lightly salt the eggplant slices and let them sit for about 15 minutes to remove excess moisture.

– Pat the eggplant dry with a paper towel.

– Cut the halloumi cheese into 1/4-inch thick slices.

2. Grilling the eggplant and halloumi:

– Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.

– Brush both sides of the eggplant slices and halloumi cheese with olive oil.

– Place the eggplant slices and halloumi cheese on the grill and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they have nice grill marks.

– Remove the grilled eggplant and halloumi from the grill and let them cool slightly.

3. Assembling the salad:

– In a large bowl, combine the grilled eggplant, halloumi cheese, sliced red onion, cherry tomatoes, and Kalamata olives.

– Toss gently to combine.

4. Making the lemon dressing:

– In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.

– Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly.

5. Serving:

– Transfer the salad to a serving platter or individual plates.

– Garnish with fresh basil leaves.

– Serve immediately and enjoy!

Conclusion

This Greek grilled eggplant and halloumi cheese salad is a perfect combination of flavors and textures. The smoky grilled eggplant, salty halloumi cheese, and tangy lemon dressing create a refreshing and satisfying salad that is sure to impress your family and friends. Whether you serve it as a main course or a side dish, this salad is a delicious addition to any summer meal.