Zesty Halloumi, Avocado, Pickles & Green Bean Gem Salad

Zesty Halloumi, Avocado, Pickles & Green Bean Gem Salad

If you're in need of inspiration for dinner look no further...go green and go with this!

Preparation Time - 5-10 minutes

Cooking Time - 5 minutes

Feeds-4-6

Ingredients - 

3 Gem lettuce

Handful of green beans - Ends trimmed

Small dash of oil

1 Pack of halloumi - Sliced into 8 (ish) slices

2 Ripe Hass avocados - Roughly cut
6 Sweet gherkins - Sliced lengthways into four

Sprinkle of rock salt

Generous sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper

Lemon Dressing-

Juice of 1 lemon 

Sprinkle of rock salt

Sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper

Big glug of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Instructions - 

Start by cutting the ends off the gem lettuce, wash the leaves, then pat dry with paper towel or shake to remove excess water. 

Add the beans to a pan with a dash of oil and cook for 1-2 minutes on a medium heat- don't over cook, you still want them crunchy. Once cooked sprinkle over the gem leaves. Next add the sliced halloumi to a non stick pan and cook on a medium to high heat for 3-4 minutes- I like to just cook one side of the halloumi so you get the contrast of crunchy versus not so crunchy. 

While the halloumi cooks combine the super simple lemon dressing ingredients in a jar and shake until thoroughly mixed. 

As soon as the halloumi is ready add to the salad along with the avocado, gherkins and drizzle over half of the dressing, gently mix the salad and drizzle over the rest. Add a little extra seasoning and serve. 

:-)

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NO 1 MOST VIEWED BLOG ON THE INDEPENDENT THIS WEEK

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FOLLOW THE LINK TO MAKE IT MY TOMATO, GOATS CHEESE AND HERB SALAD-

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SORRY

And...Sorry for the quiet couple of months I've been busy writing recipes for my first book which will be coming out next year. Back on track now and got loads of recipes coming your way.

TOP 3 Super Simple Summer Salads

TOP 3 Super Simple Summer Salads

Zesty Pea & Mint with Crumbled Feta

This is a winner of a salad, super simple, amazing with any and every BBQ, great as a side to a big bowl of pasta or perfect just on it's own. Put it on your list for summer must makes.

Preparation Time - 5-10 minutes

Cooking Time - 0

Feeds -4

Ingredients -

1/2 Red onion - Finely Sliced

2 Cups of frozen peas - Defrosted (or cover with boiling water and drain once defrosted)

Handful of fresh mint leaves / Around 10 - Washed and roughly chopped

1/2 Zest of 1 lemon

Juice of 1 lemon

200g Feta- Roughly crumbled

Handful of pinenuts 

Generous sprinkle of rock salt

Generous sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper

Sprinkle of white pepper

Instructions - 

Prepare everything as listed then combine in a serving bowl, taste for seasoning and adjust to your own taste. 

Keep in the fridge until ready to serve. 

Fragrant Lemon & Basil Asparagus with Parmesan, Capers & Cracked Black Pepper

This works a pre curser to something else that's yummy or just as a snack all on it's own. Either way it's delicious. TRY IT.

Preparation Time - 5 minutes

Cooking Time - 5

Feeds -4 (As a side)

Ingredients - 

12-15 Stems of Asparagus - Hard ends chopped off

Knob of butter

Juice of 1 lemon

Sprinkle of rock salt

Generous amount of fresh black pepper

2 Tablespoons of capers

Handful of fresh basil leaves

50g of Parmesan- Finely grated

Instructions -

Wash and prepare the asparagus then add to a frying pan with a big knob of butter and cook on a high heat for 2-3 minutes, add lemon juice followed by seasoning and cook for another minute or so. Add in the capers followed by fresh basil leaves and a sprinkling of finely grated Parmesan. 

And...you're good to go. Get stuck into the crisp fresh salty asparagus and enjoy.

Hot Radish, Avocado Feta and Caper Gem

If you're a salad lover like I am then this simple but delicious crispy hot (from the radish) and salty concoction should do the trick. Serve this up in a large salad bowl and let people get stuck in. It's good to go as is or perfect with a slab of meat (or tofu) on the side.

Preparation Time - 5 -10 minutes

Cooking Time - 0

Feeds - 4-6

Ingredients -

Salad Ingredients-

3 Gem Lettuces - Ends cut off and leaves left whole

2 Hass avocados - Roughly scooped out of skin

1/2 Red onion - Finley sliced

Bunch of hot radishes - Thoroughly washed, leaves removed and cut into quarters

Half a jar /2-3 Tablespoons of Greek/ dry style black olives - Stones removed then roughly chopped

200g /1 pack of Feta - Roughly crumbled

Small jar/ 3-4 Tablespoons of capers

Dressing-

1 Teaspoon of caster sugar

1 Tablespoon of honey

Juice of 1 lemon

Glug of white wine vinegar

Extra big glut of extra virgin olive oil

Sprinkle of rock salt 

Generous sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper

Instructions-

Combine all of the salad ingredients in a large serving bowl. If you have a spare jar with a lid hanging around (I'm a jar hoarder so I do) add the dressing ingredients and shake until all the sugar's dissolved. Have a try and adjust the seasoning if it needs it.  If you don't have a jar handy then just whisk with a fork in a bowl until it's all combined. Just before you're about to serve the salad pour over the dressing- the salad stays nice and crisp this way.