Once upon a time I was the editor of a small newspaper in a small town. The small town had several cafes, but I frequented just one – the one that had a roast pumpkin and haloumi salad on its extensive menu. I never once deviated from this choice in all the times I went there – which is incredibly strange, as I love to try new things. I just couldn’t stray. If I was to meet someone for lunch, it was to this cafe I’d go, and to my beloved haloumi I would remain loyal.
One particular day, I was racing to get the paper finished by my 1pm deadline. Deadline days didn’t usually leave me much time to eat, save whatever snacks I had stashed in a drawer, or whatever lunch I brought from home, microwaved in fits and starts, and mouthfuls eaten sporadically between work. It usually went cold and I would sadly poke at it at about 1.02pm. This day though was hectic. I drank about nineteen cups of tea and tried to forget I was hungry. As soon as that deadline hit, and I saw the last page disappear into the printing ether, I raced out the door and flew down the street in record time. Which hard to do in small towns. People want to stop you and chat. Particularly when you’re the editor of the very popular (and slightly controversial) paper. I am sure I may have made a few more enemies that day, but I didn’t care, all I wanted was the pumpkin and haloumi salad, and ain’t nothing was going to stand in my way.
I don’t even remember eating it. But I’ve no doubt it was good.
As is this one – the salty crispness of the haloumi pairs so well with the smooth, sweet pumpkin and the lemon dressing really adds another dimension of deliciousness. Very easy to throw together, and you can add whatever you fancy to flesh it out – this recipe should just be a guide.
Ingredients:
4 cups chopped pumpkin
Several handfuls lettuce
1 can lentils, rinsed and drained well
2 ripe tomatoes (cherry tomatoes would be even better), quartered
2 packets haloumi, sliced
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon olive oil
Directions:
1. Roast the pumpkin and tomatoes in a 220C oven 15-20 minutes until soft and just starting to brown, turning once. I dusted mine with cinnamon, chili and sea salt.
2. Arrange the lettuce, lentils, tomatoes and/or whatever else you’re using on plates.
3. Mix the lemon juice, honey and olive oil.
4. Fry the haloumi over medium-high heat until browned on both sides, a couple of minutes.
5. Top the salad with haloumi and dressing.
I only had sad little iceberg lettuce today (thanks so much, Brisbane floods/Queensland cyclone!) but I would totally recommend a nicer lettuce.
ClaireyHewitt says
February 11, 2011 at 4:48 pmI have never served my kids (or self) lentils. I am going to give this a try this weekend. It looks so yummy. Will let you know how it goes down!
Veggie Mama says
February 11, 2011 at 10:22 pmI used to be terrifed of lentils. Then I ate them and was all like “you idiot”… nothing to be afraid of! They sort of don’t taste like anything in this salad.
Serena says
February 11, 2011 at 5:38 pmThis looks so good – going to try it this week!
Veggie Mama says
February 11, 2011 at 10:21 pmI love it when people try my recipes! Hope you like it x
Good Golly Miss Holly! says
February 11, 2011 at 6:06 pmYummmmm!
Veggie Mama says
February 11, 2011 at 10:20 pmI know, right? Can’t go wrong with this one.
Bronnie says
February 11, 2011 at 6:33 pmI love all the ingredients in this salad. Can’t wait to try it! We are growing our own lettuce and herbs to save money … the prices are extortionate in the shops! It’s amazing how quickly you go through it though.
Veggie Mama says
February 11, 2011 at 10:20 pmOne day, when my stomach isn’t the size of a house, I’m totally growing my own too 🙂
Rachel Finlayson says
February 11, 2011 at 7:30 pmoh my lordy – was salivating as soon as i read the title…oh and then the picture – YUM!! can’t wait to make this one xx
Veggie Mama says
February 11, 2011 at 10:19 pmYou will have to tell me how you go!
Red Nomad Oz says
February 11, 2011 at 7:42 pmThese are a few of my favourite things …!!! Thanx for another great recipe – I’ve been following for a while, but haven’t left many comments! Just want you to know your readers appreciate you!
Veggie Mama says
February 11, 2011 at 10:17 pmWow, that is a truly lovely thing to say! Thank you, how lucky I am to have such beautiful readers x
Fussy Eater's Mum says
February 12, 2011 at 10:42 amYou saved me! I’m off to a dinner at a lovely, but very trendy, friend’s house tonight and I’ve been commissioned to do the salad! I’m not good with salads. But this looks devine! Thank you!
Veggie Mama says
February 12, 2011 at 12:05 pmI’m living, breathing proof that this particular dish not only tastes incredible, but has superhuman strength empowering qualities.
Elizabeth Parker says
February 12, 2011 at 9:20 pmOmg, that looks amazing! I love haloumi, and pumpkin…and everything else in this salad. I’m definitely going to make this sometime soon 🙂 By the way, you blog looks adorable!
Cindy says
February 14, 2011 at 1:43 pmDamn, I would pay top dollar to have that for my lunch today. I’ve never teamed haloumi with lentils before and am now convinced that I need to.
Donna says
February 17, 2011 at 5:21 pmoh my! tonight green bean and haloumi salad, tomorrow night – this!! deliciousness!
veggiemama says
August 25, 2011 at 5:50 amI used to be terrifed of lentils. Then I ate them and was all like “you idiot”… nothing to be afraid of! They sort of don't taste like anything in this salad.
ClaireyHewitt says
August 25, 2011 at 5:50 amI have never served my kids (or self) lentils. I am going to give this a try this weekend. It looks so yummy. Will let you know how it goes down!
Serena says
August 25, 2011 at 5:50 amThis looks so good – going to try it this week!
Holly Homemaker says
August 25, 2011 at 5:50 amYummmmm!
Bronnie says
August 25, 2011 at 5:50 amI love all the ingredients in this salad. Can't wait to try it! We are growing our own lettuce and herbs to save money … the prices are extortionate in the shops! It's amazing how quickly you go through it though.
Rachel Finlayson says
August 25, 2011 at 5:50 amoh my lordy – was salivating as soon as i read the title…oh and then the picture – YUM!! can't wait to make this one xx
Red Nomad Oz says
August 25, 2011 at 5:50 amThese are a few of my favourite things …!!! Thanx for another great recipe – I've been following for a while, but haven't left many comments! Just want you to know your readers appreciate you!
veggiemama says
August 25, 2011 at 5:50 amWow, that is a truly lovely thing to say! Thank you, how lucky I am to have such beautiful readers x
veggiemama says
August 25, 2011 at 5:50 amOne day, when my stomach isn't the size of a house, I'm totally growing my own too 🙂
veggiemama says
August 25, 2011 at 5:50 amI love it when people try my recipes! Hope you like it x
Fussy Eater's Mum says
August 25, 2011 at 5:50 amYou saved me! I'm off to a dinner at a lovely, but very trendy, friend's house tonight and I've been commissioned to do the salad! I'm not good with salads. But this looks devine! Thank you!
veggiemama says
August 25, 2011 at 5:50 amI'm living, breathing proof that this particular dish not only tastes incredible, but has superhuman strength empowering qualities.
Elizabeth Parker says
August 25, 2011 at 5:50 amOmg, that looks amazing! I love haloumi, and pumpkin…and everything else in this salad. I'm definitely going to make this sometime soon 🙂 By the way, you blog looks adorable!
Cindy says
August 25, 2011 at 5:50 amDamn, I would pay top dollar to have that for my lunch today. I've never teamed haloumi with lentils before and am now convinced that I need to.
Donna says
August 25, 2011 at 5:51 amoh my! tonight green bean and haloumi salad, tomorrow night – this!! deliciousness!
Jess says
November 17, 2011 at 7:41 pmFor something so simple this was DELICIOUS! It was a great contrast with the cold lettuce & tomato & the warm pumpkin & halloumi. Yum!
Veggie Mama says
November 18, 2011 at 3:13 pmOh man, you’re making me want to eat it nooooooowwwww! Yum! Glad you liked it xo
Jess says
November 17, 2011 at 8:41 amFor something so simple this was DELICIOUS! It was a great contrast with the cold lettuce & tomato & the warm pumpkin & halloumi. Yum!
Veggie Mama says
November 18, 2011 at 4:13 amOh man, you're making me want to eat it nooooooowwwww! Yum! Glad you liked it xo
Rhianna says
January 23, 2012 at 1:01 pmThis looks great. Gonna try it tonight for no meat Monday.
Rhianna says
January 23, 2012 at 2:01 amThis looks great. Gonna try it tonight for no meat Monday.