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Spiced pumpkin and halloumi salad recipe development for Country Road from www.georgeats.com

Pumpkin haloumi salad with pomegranates

Gluten free, grain free, vegetarian
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine Food Intolerance Friendly
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

For the pumpkin:

  • Roughly 750g Kent pumpkin skin on or off, according to your preference
  • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon of each: cinnamon ground cumin, garam masala, sea salt and brown sugar
  • 1 piece of preserved lemon finely chopped (optional)
  • Dried chilli flakes to your taste

For the preserved lemon and herb sauce (you will likely have some leftover):

  • 1 large bunch of mint reserve a few leaves for garnish
  • 1 large bunch of coriander or a large handful of greens like rocket for a more economical option
  • 30 g around 2 small pieces preserved lemon
  • Juice of 1 lemon or lime rind reserved
  • 1/2 cup good quality olive oil
  • Pinch of sea salt

To assemble:

  • 1 packet of halloumi in Australia, packets vary in size, but any amount will work
  • 1/4-1/2 a pomegranate arils removed
  • 4-5 tablespoons Greek yoghurt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 180C/356F and line a baking tray. Chop the pumpkin to your liking – pieces slightly larger than bite size are ideal. Remove the skin if you intend to do so – I like to keep it on.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the oil with all the spices for the pumpkin, and add the preserved lemon, if you’re using it. Add the pumpkin to the bowl, and use your hands to make sure the pumpkin is evenly coated in oil and spices.
  • Lay the pumpkin evenly on the baking tray, ensuring to leave space between the pieces. Failure to do so will result in soggy pumpkin.
  • Place the pumpkin into the oven for at least half an hour – this may be slightly shorter or longer, depending on how thick your pieces are.
  • Put all the ingredients for preserved lemon and herb oil into your food processor, and blitz until a smooth, green sauce forms. Decant from the blender and into a bowl, ready to drizzle.
  • Once the half hour is up or the pumpkin is soft, turn the grill on, and leave it for a couple of minutes to develop a bit of crunch.
  • While the pumpkin is under the grill, heat a nonstick saucepan to a high heat, and grease it with a tiny bit of oil. Slice your haloumi into whatever size you desire, and then place it onto the hot pan. It should sizzle upon contact. Cook the haloumi slices for a minute or so each side – enough to make them melty and develop a golden brown colour, but not enough to burn them. Immediately remove from the heat.
  • To assemble, lay the warm pumpkin on the serving platter, followed by the haloumi. Dot the Greek yoghurt and preserved lemon herb sauce on top, and finish with the pomegranate arils, any herbs leftover for garnish, and a zesting of microplaned lemon rind. You could also add a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or olive oil. Serve immediately.
Keyword pumpkin haloumi salad
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