From above, you'll see golden cubes of fried halloumi cheese served over a bed of fluffy, well-seasoned quinoa. Pops of vibrant green asparagus, ripe cherry tomatoes, and thinly sliced radishes provide a beautiful color contrast. The meal is drizzled with a light lemon-mint dressing, and garnished with fresh mint leaves.

Quinoa Asparagus Fusion Salad with Crispy Halloumi

Name: Quinoa Asparagus Fusion Salad with Crispy Halloumi
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Fusion
Ingredients: Fresh asparagus, 1 bunch trimmed and chopped into 1-inch pieces; Quinoa, 1 cup rinsed; Halloumi cheese, 200 grams patted dry and cut into cubes; Cherry tomatoes, 1 cup halved; Radishes, 3 thin slices; Fresh mint leaves, a handful chopped, plus extra for garnishing; Juice of 1 Lemon, 1 Lemon's worth Juiced; Extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons plus extra for frying; Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste none

Category Main Course

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 15 minutes

Style Fusion

Technique Boiling

Diet Friendly Mediterranean

Daily Recipe: April 16, 2025

The brilliance of this recipe lies in merging Mediterranean cuisine's healthy, vibrant flavors with an innovative fusion twist. Our key ingredients are fresh Spring asparagus and quinoa, paired with flavor-packed halloumi cheese, that's crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. It's the perfect warm salad for a bit chilly day.

Ingredients (for 2)

Fresh asparagus - 1 bunch - trimmed and chopped into 1-inch pieces
Quinoa - 1 cup - rinsed
Halloumi cheese - 200 grams - patted dry and cut into cubes
Cherry tomatoes - 1 cup - halved
Radishes - 3 - thin slices
Fresh mint leaves - a handful - chopped, plus extra for garnishing
Juice of 1 lemon - 1 Lemon's worth - Juiced
Extra-virgin olive oil - 2 tablespoons - plus extra for frying
Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper - to taste - none

Preparation

Step 1 - 🍚➡️🔥➡️⏲️

Cook the quinoa as per package instructions and allow it to cool.
Step 2 - 🌱🍲💧⌛

Blanch the asparagus in a pot of boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Step 3 - 🧀🍳🔥👩‍🍳

Heat a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the halloumi cheese cubes and cook until golden brown.
Step 4 - 🍅🥗🥄

In a large bowl, mix the asparagus, quinoa, tomatoes, radishes, and chopped mint.
Step 5 - 🍋💦🥗🧂🌶️

Whisk together lemon juice and the 2 tablespoons olive oil in a small bowl, then drizzle over the salad. Toss to combine. Season with salt and black pepper.
Step 6 - 🥗➡️🍽️➡️🧀➡️🌱

Spoon the salad onto serving plates, top with crispy halloumi, and garnish with extra mint leaves. Serve warm.

Additional

This dish not only tastes wonderful but is super nutritious, packed with protein and fiber. Play around with other seasonal veggies or add some toasted nuts for extra crunch. Let your kids join in by letting them toss the salad or garnish the plates!