This Hot Honey Halloumi and Couscous Salad is a perfect blend of sweet, savory, and fresh flavors. It combines marinated sumac onions, crispy halloumi cheese glazed with hot honey, and a healthy mix of veggies and couscous. Ideal for a vegetarian lunch or dinner, this recipe provides a balanced combination of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. If you prefer a heartier meal, feel free to add chicken or shrimp. It’s quick to prepare and perfect for meal prep as well!

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

For the Sumac Marinated Onions:

• 1 large red onion, thinly sliced

• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 1/2 tbsp sumac

• 1/4 tsp Aleppo pepper

• 1/4 tsp salt (adjust to taste)

For the Couscous Salad:

• 1/2 cup dry pearled couscous

• 1 cup arugula, finely chopped

• 1 cup spinach, finely chopped

• 1 cucumber, chopped into thin rounds

For the Hot Honey Halloumi:

• 4 slices halloumi cheese

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 1 tbsp Mike’s hot honey

• Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil

For the Parsley Dressing:

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• Juice of 1/2 lemon

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley

• Splash of water to dilute

Directions

1. Marinate the Red Onions: Place the thinly sliced red onions in a serving bowl. Add olive oil, sumac, Aleppo pepper, and salt. Toss to coat evenly. Let the onions marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (or longer, if desired).

2. Prepare the Couscous: In a small saucepan, add 1 cup of water, a drizzle of olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then add couscous. Once the water is absorbed, remove from heat and let the couscous fluff. Set aside.

3. Prepare the Veggies: Finely chop the arugula and spinach, and add them to a serving bowl. Add the sliced cucumber on the side.

4. Cook the Halloumi: In a small bowl, mix lemon juice, hot honey, and olive oil. Soak each slice of halloumi in the mixture. Heat a frying pan over high heat, and sear the halloumi for 2-3 minutes on each side until crispy. Add the halloumi to the serving bowl.

5. Make the Dressing: Combine olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and parsley in a small bowl. Add a splash of water to reach your desired consistency. Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well. Taste and adjust salt as necessary.

6. Serve: Toss the salad, ensuring all ingredients are well-coated with the dressing, and enjoy!

Nutrients

• Calories: 450 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 30g

• Protein: 13g

• Fat: 25g

• Sodium: 600mg

• Fiber: 6g

• Sugar: 9g

What Makes Halloumi the Perfect Cheese for This Dish

Halloumi cheese is the star of this dish, bringing a salty, firm, and slightly tangy flavor that pairs wonderfully with the sweet-hot honey glaze. Unlike most cheeses, halloumi holds its shape well when cooked, making it ideal for pan-frying or grilling. When seared in a hot pan, the cheese develops a crispy, golden-brown exterior while retaining its soft, chewy interior. This textural contrast is what makes halloumi such a unique and satisfying addition to the salad.

The flavor profile of halloumi is mild but savory, allowing it to absorb the sweet, spicy hot honey glaze without being overpowered. This combination creates an irresistible balance of salty, sweet, and spicy flavors that make the cheese stand out. The richness of the halloumi, paired with the heat of the honey, makes for a perfect contrast to the fresh, crunchy vegetables and light couscous in the salad.

The Role of Sumac Marinated Onions

Sumac marinated onions play a crucial role in balancing the richness of the halloumi cheese and the sweetness of the honey glaze. Sumac is a tangy, citrusy spice that adds a sour note to the onions, giving them a bright and vibrant flavor. When combined with olive oil, Aleppo pepper, and salt, the sumac-infused onions provide a refreshing contrast to the creamy, savory halloumi.

Marinating the onions allows them to absorb the flavors of the sumac and Aleppo pepper, softening their sharpness and transforming them into a flavorful, aromatic topping for the salad. These onions add depth to the dish and provide a subtle spiciness and tartness that enhances the overall flavor profile. The marinated onions also contribute a pop of color to the dish, further enhancing its visual appeal.

Couscous: A Nutritious and Versatile Base

Couscous serves as the perfect base for this salad, offering a light yet filling texture that complements the other ingredients. It’s quick to cook, making it an ideal choice for a fast and easy meal, and its mild flavor allows the other components to shine. Couscous is made from semolina flour and is naturally high in carbohydrates, providing an excellent source of energy. It’s also a good source of fiber, which adds to the dish’s nutritional value.

The couscous acts as a neutral backdrop for the rich halloumi, tangy onions, and sweet honey glaze, absorbing the dressing and flavors of the salad. Its fluffy texture and slight chewiness make it a satisfying contrast to the crispy halloumi and tender vegetables. For those looking for a heartier base, couscous pairs well with added proteins, such as grilled chicken or shrimp, though the dish is already quite balanced on its own.

Adding Freshness with Greens and Veggies

The fresh vegetables and greens in this salad—arugula, spinach, and cucumber—add a refreshing crunch and a dose of nutrients that complement the richer elements of the dish. Arugula and spinach are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making them an excellent choice for adding health benefits to the salad. These greens also provide a peppery, slightly bitter flavor that balances the sweetness of the honey and the richness of the halloumi.

Cucumber, sliced thinly, contributes an additional crunch and a mild, refreshing flavor that lightens the dish. The freshness of the vegetables provides a nice contrast to the warm halloumi and the sweetness of the honey glaze, making the salad feel balanced and satisfying.

The Hot Honey Glaze: Sweet, Spicy, and Irresistible

The hot honey glaze is the secret ingredient that elevates this dish from a simple salad to an extraordinary culinary experience. Hot honey, which combines honey with chili peppers or other spices, adds a sweet, spicy kick that perfectly complements the halloumi cheese. The honey’s sweetness contrasts beautifully with the salty flavor of the halloumi, while the heat from the chili peppers adds depth and complexity to the dish.

The glaze is easy to make, requiring just a drizzle of honey, sesame oil, and a squeeze of lemon juice. When the halloumi is soaked in this mixture before being pan-seared, it absorbs the sweet-spicy flavors, creating a crispy, caramelized exterior that enhances the dish’s overall flavor profile. The glaze not only adds a burst of flavor but also makes the halloumi visually appealing, with its glossy, golden sheen.

The Parsley Dressing: Light and Flavorful

The parsley dressing is the finishing touch that ties the entire dish together. With its fresh, herbal flavor, the dressing adds a bright, tangy element to the salad. Made with extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and chopped parsley, this dressing is simple yet flavorful, enhancing the freshness of the greens and vegetables without overpowering the other ingredients.

The parsley dressing is light and refreshing, providing the perfect contrast to the richness of the halloumi and the heat of the hot honey glaze. It also helps to balance the dish, ensuring that the flavors are well-rounded and harmonious. The dressing can be adjusted to taste, adding more lemon juice or salt as needed to complement the other components of the salad.

Perfect for Meal Prep and Quick Dinners

This Hot Honey Halloumi and Couscous Salad is not only a delicious meal but also a great option for meal prep. The couscous, vegetables, and marinated onions can be prepared ahead of time, and the halloumi can be quickly seared just before serving. This makes it an excellent choice for busy weeknights or for preparing a healthy and flavorful lunch for the week.

The salad is also versatile and can be easily customized to suit different tastes or dietary needs. If you prefer a heartier meal, you can add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu to increase the protein content. The salad can also be made without halloumi for a dairy-free option, making it suitable for a variety of dietary preferences. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch or a satisfying dinner, this salad is sure to meet your needs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Hot Honey Halloumi and Couscous Salad is a vibrant, flavorful dish that offers the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and fresh elements. The combination of crispy halloumi, sumac-marinated onions, couscous, and a tangy parsley dressing makes for a well-rounded and satisfying meal. Whether you’re enjoying it as a vegetarian option or adding a protein like chicken or shrimp, this salad provides a delicious and nutritious meal that is easy to prepare and perfect for meal prep.

The dish is versatile enough to suit various tastes and dietary preferences, and its quick preparation makes it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or special occasions. The sweet and spicy hot honey glaze, combined with the freshness of the vegetables and greens, creates a dish that is not only visually appealing but also full of complex, well-balanced flavors. This Hot Honey Halloumi and Couscous Salad is sure to become a staple in your recipe collection, bringing a burst of flavor to every meal.