Grilled Halloumi and Pesto (Printable Version)

Golden grilled halloumi atop crisp vegetables drizzled with fresh basil pesto for a light, vibrant meal.

# What You Need:

→ Cheese

01 - 7 oz halloumi cheese, sliced into 0.4-inch thick pieces

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 medium cucumber, sliced
04 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 1 cup baby arugula or mixed greens

→ Basil Pesto

06 - 1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
07 - 2 tablespoons pine nuts (or walnuts as alternative)
08 - 1 garlic clove
09 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
11 - ½ teaspoon lemon juice
12 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

13 - Fresh basil leaves
14 - Lemon wedges

# Steps:

01 - Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill over medium-high heat.
02 - Pat halloumi slices dry with paper towels. Grill each side for 2 to 3 minutes until golden and grill marks appear. Remove and set aside.
03 - In a blender or food processor, combine basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, Parmesan, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth, adjusting seasoning to preference.
04 - Divide arugula or mixed greens evenly onto two plates. Arrange cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, and red onion over the greens.
05 - Place grilled halloumi atop the vegetable bed and drizzle generously with basil pesto.
06 - Finish with fresh basil leaves and serve alongside lemon wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Light and refreshing Mediterranean flavors
  • Quick and easy to prepare in 30 minutes
02 -
  • Substitute pine nuts with walnuts or almonds for pesto variations
  • Contains dairy and nuts, check for allergies before serving
03 -
  • Pat halloumi dry to ensure it grills up nicely and doesn't stick
  • Adjust pesto seasoning gradually to balance acidity and salt
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