Description
Summer’s most enticing salad mixes sweet nectarines with salty halloumi and hearty chickpeas. Mediterranean flavors dance through crisp greens, offering refreshing moments of pure culinary pleasure that will delight palates craving bright, balanced refreshment.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 nectarines, quartered (peeled if desired)
- 8–10 slices of halloumi
- 1 can chickpeas (265 grams / 9.3 ounces drained weight)
- 10 cherry tomatoes, halved
Fresh Herbs and Seasonings:
- Fresh basil, to taste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Pinch of fleur de sel
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Oils and Additional Flavors:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 drizzle of olive oil
- Lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 190°C (374°F), preparing a roasting environment for the chickpeas and tomatoes.
- Toss chickpeas with olive oil and paprika, ensuring each legume is evenly coated with the spice mixture.
- Scatter cherry tomatoes across the same dish, drizzle with remaining olive oil, and sprinkle a delicate pinch of fleur de sel for enhanced flavor.
- Roast the chickpea and tomato mixture in the preheated oven for approximately 12 minutes, allowing the ingredients to caramelize and intensify their natural sweetness.
- While the roasting occurs, heat a light drizzle of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Grill nectarine quarters for 1-2 minutes on each side, creating beautiful caramelized marks and releasing their natural sugars.
- Remove nectarines and set aside on a serving plate.
- Using the same skillet, grill halloumi slices for about 1 minute per side until they develop a golden, crispy exterior.
- Assemble the salad by artfully arranging the roasted chickpeas, caramelized cherry tomatoes, grilled nectarine quarters, and golden halloumi slices.
- Finish the dish by drizzling fresh lemon juice, cracking black pepper over the top, and garnishing with torn fresh basil leaves.
Notes
- Roast chickpeas and tomatoes at high heat to develop caramelized, deep flavors that enhance the overall taste profile of the salad.
- Grilling nectarines brings out their natural sweetness and creates beautiful caramelized marks, adding a delightful smoky-sweet dimension.
- Halloumi cheese provides a satisfying salty, crispy texture that contrasts wonderfully with the soft fruits and tender chickpeas.
- Fresh basil adds a bright, aromatic finish that elevates the entire dish with its fragrant herbal notes.
- Use ripe, in-season nectarines for the most intense and juicy flavor in this summer-inspired salad.
- Serve immediately after grilling to enjoy the warm, crispy halloumi and charred nectarines at their peak deliciousness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Roasting, Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 258 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 532 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg