Hello there! My name is Camila Rodriguez, and I’m thrilled to share my passion for food with you. Growing up in Colombia, I was always surrounded by colorful, fresh food. That’s why I’m excited to share this recipe for a Spring Salad with Grilled Haloumi and Fava Beans – it allows me to combine my cultural heritage with my love for experimenting with new flavors and textures.
Camila Rodriguez is an active and adventurous woman who enjoys hiking, camping, and travelling to different countries to experience new cultures. She loves to try new foods and experiment with different ingredients in the kitchen. Camila is originally from Colombia but has been living in the United States for the past five years.
Camila Rodriguez currently resides in the United States and grew up in Colombia.
This recipe draws inspiration from the Mediterranean, where dishes often feature light and fresh ingredients. The recipe is easy to make and offers a unique twist on a classic salad. The haloumi cheese adds a savory, grilled flavor that pairs perfectly with the bright, juicy fava beans. I also love the contrast of textures – the creaminess of the cheese, the crispness of the lettuce, and the tenderness of the beans all come together for the perfect bite.
In today’s world, we are all looking for ways to eat healthier and more sustainably. This salad offers a perfect solution. The mix of fresh greens and beans adds fiber and protein to your diet, while the haloumi adds healthy fats. And by using fava beans – which are in season during the spring – we can source our ingredients locally and reduce our impact on the environment. I hope this recipe inspires you to get creative in the kitchen and try something new!
What you need
This Fresh and Flavorful Spring Salad with Grilled Haloumi and Fava Beans is a mouth-watering combination of fresh greens and protein-packed legumes, topped with savory grilled cheese. I love the contrast of textures and flavors in this salad – the crispness of the lettuce, the creaminess of the cheese, the juicy sweetness of the cherry tomatoes, and the nutty, tender fava beans all come together for the perfect bite. The salad is dressed with a simple yet delicious combination of olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, which adds a tangy, refreshing flavor to the mix.
Preparing this recipe is a breeze – first, you blanch the fava beans until they are bright green and tender. You then mix chopped lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and sliced red onions in a bowl, add the blanched fava beans, and toss it all together with the dressing. Top it all off with grilled haloumi cheese, which adds a tasty twist that is sure to impress your dinner guests. The recipe is easy to follow, and the final product is so colorful and vibrant that it’s sure to be a feast for both the eyes and taste buds.
Ingredients:
- Fava beans – Fresh fava beans add a pop of color and texture to the salad. If fava beans are not in season, you can try substituting with edamame beans for a similar texture and taste.
- Lettuce – Fresh and crisp lettuce is the perfect base for this colorful salad. You can use any type of lettuce you prefer, such as romaine or butter lettuce.
- Haloumi cheese – Haloumi cheese is a salty cheese that can be grilled or fried without melting. It adds a savory contrast to the fresh vegetables in the salad. If you cannot find haloumi, you can use any other salty or firm cheese, like feta or paneer.
- Cherry tomatoes – Sweet and juicy cherry tomatoes add a pop of color and a burst of freshness to the salad. You can substitute them with any other type of small tomatoes or roasted red peppers for a similar flavor profile.
- Red onion – Red onion adds a sharp and tangy flavor to the salad. If you are not a fan of raw onions, you can soak them in cold water for 10 minutes to tone down the sharpness, or you can use thinly sliced shallots instead.
- Olive oil – Olive oil is a healthy and flavorful fat that brings all the ingredients in the salad together. You can also use other types of oils, like avocado oil or grapeseed oil, for a milder flavor.
- Lemon juice – Lemon juice adds a tangy and refreshing flavor to the salad. You can adjust the amount to your preference, or you can try using other types of citrus juice, like lime or orange juice.
- Salt – Salt is a crucial element in this recipe, as it enhances the flavor of all the other ingredients. Use a high-quality sea salt or Himalayan salt for best results.
- Pepper – Freshly cracked black pepper adds a mild heat and a pleasant pungency to the salad. You can adjust the amount based on your preference.
Utensils:
- Grill pan – You can use a regular frying pan if you don’t have a grill pan.
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Salad bowl
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
Fava beans, also known as broad beans
Fava beans are a staple ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine and a personal favorite of mine. They are rich in protein, fiber, and iron, and have a subtle, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients in this salad. To prepare fresh fava beans, simply remove them from the pod, blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes, and then remove the outer skin to reveal the bright green bean inside. Using in-season, fresh fava beans is not only healthier, but it also supports local farmers and reduces our carbon footprint. In fact, in my hometown in Colombia, fava beans are widely used as a sustainable alternative to meat due to their high protein content. Give them a try – you won’t be disappointed!
Haloumi cheese
is a semi-hard, salty cheese that originated in Cyprus and is now widely used in Mediterranean cuisine. What makes haloumi cheese unique is its high melting point, which makes it perfect for grilling or frying without losing its shape. I love using it in this salad because it adds a savory, smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with the fresh vegetables. Haloumi cheese is also a good source of protein and calcium, making it a healthy addition to any diet. And if you’re a cheese lover like me, you’ll be happy to know that haloumi cheese is lower in calories and fat than most other types of cheese. So go ahead – add a few slices to your salad and enjoy the delicious, creamy goodness!
What to serve it with?
I really enjoy pairing this Fresh and Flavorful Spring Salad with Grilled Haloumi and Fava Beans with a light and crispy white wine, such as a Sauvignon Blanc or a Chardonnay. The crisp wine pairs perfectly with the fresh flavors of the salad, creating an explosion of flavors in your mouth. Alternatively, I sometimes serve this salad as a side dish to BBQ chicken or grilled fish. The hint of smokiness from the grilled haloumi cheese complements the smokiness from the BBQ perfectly. But above all, what I love most about this recipe is that it’s so versatile that it can be served as a stand-alone vegetarian dish or paired alongside a variety of mains to suit any preference or dietary requirement.
Summary
That’s it for today’s blog post, folks! I hope you enjoyed learning about my Spring Salad with Grilled Haloumi and Fava Beans recipe, and that you’ll give it a try at your next dinner party – your guests will surely be impressed!
But before you go, I want to hear from you! Are there any ingredients that you like to add to your salads that are not in this recipe? Any tips for making the perfect dressing? Let me know in the comments below, I can’t wait to hear your thoughts.
And, as always, happy cooking from your friendly neighborhood blogger assistant!
Here’s the recipe:
Fresh and Flavorful Spring Salad with Grilled Haloumi and Fava Beans
Equipment
- Grill pan
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Salad bowl
- Sharp Knife
- cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 2 cups, shelled Fava beans
- 1 head, chopped Lettuce
- 8 oz, sliced Haloumi cheese
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes
- 1/2, thinly sliced Red onion
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- To taste Salt
- To taste Pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the fava beans – Remove the fava beans from their pods and blanch them for 3-4 minutes in boiling water. Remove from the water and immediately put them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Once they are cool, remove the outer skin of each bean to reveal the bright green bean inside. – If you cannot find fresh fava beans, you can use frozen or substitute with edamame beans.
- Prepare the dressing – In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until well emulsified. –
- Grill the haloumi cheese – Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, place the haloumi slices on the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side or until they are golden brown and slightly charred. Remove from heat and set aside. – If you don’t have a grill pan, you can cook the cheese in a regular frying pan or even on an outdoor grill.
- Assemble the salad – In a large salad bowl, mix together the chopped lettuce, blanched fava beans, cherry tomatoes, and sliced red onion. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until all the ingredients are coated in dressing. Top with the grilled haloumi cheese and serve immediately. – If you are serving the salad for a larger group, you can double or triple the recipe, but be sure not to overcrowd your bowl which will prevent even coating of the dressing.
