Chewy quinoa, tender kale and golden halloumi cheese make this Red Quinoa, Kale and Halloumi Salad, a salad you'll want to make over and over again!
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Spring Salads
I'm not ready, and neither is the vegetation, for the salads of summer, redolent with fresh tomatoes and basil, but rather the salads of almost spring. A little bit lighter than our winter fare, but still a bit filling.
Click here to pin this Red Quinoa, Kale and Halloumi Salad now!
Red Quinoa, Kale and Halloumi Salad
Earth Fare has had the most glorious kale lately and I knew that I needed to find a kale recipe that was a bit light and fresh. When I'm looking for light and fresh, I almost always turn to Donna Hay. I found this recipe in her Fresh & Light Magazine, which she is sadly discontinuing!
Halloumi Cheese
Let's talk about Haloumi Cheese, shall we? Have you tried it? Some call it the squeaky cheese, because of the sound it makes on your teeth as you chew it. This is the most wondrous of cheeses. You can grill it, fry it and it doesn't melt! It just gets a swoon-worthy golden crust on it and gets all warm. It's a meaty type of cheese and one of my favorite ways to actually go meatless.
This is the perfect transition salad, moves you right into spring!
Red Quinoa, Kale and Haloumi Salad
Ingredients
- ⅓ pound kale one small bunch, tough stems removed and torn into bite size pieces
- 2 ½ cups cooked red quinoa I used both
- ½ cup flat-leaf parsley leaves
- 1 pound haloumi thinly sliced
- olive oil for brushing
Smoky Lemon Dressing
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon sweet smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Place the kale in a heat proof bowl. Pour over boiling water and allow the kale to stand for 5 minutes. Drain and pat dry (or spin in a salad spinner). Toss the kale with the quinoa and parsley.
- Make the smoky lemon dressing by combining the lemon juice, paprika and olive oil in a jar and shake to combine. Pour over the salad and toss to combine.
- Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Brush the haloumi with a little olive oil and cook on each side for about 2-3 minutes or until golden. Divide the salad among 4 plates and top with the browned haloumi.
Nutrition
Looking for more quinoa recipes: 
rebecca says
I haven't tried it, but I need to. this salad looks super delicious!
Pam Greer says
You need to, it's wonderful!
Swati Saxena says
Spring is the perfect time for salads and your amazing clicks are making me drool for this delicious Salad. I have never tried this cheese, looking forward to trying it.
Pam Greer says
It's really good!
Debbye says
Love the addition of the Halumi cheese! I bet it just makes this dish. Can't wait to try!
Pam Greer says
It is so good!
Lauren says
I love this recipe because it's healthy without being boring. Yum!
Pam Greer says
Yes!
Jill says
Haloumi cheese is so good! We love to grill it in the summer. This salad is definitely one I want to try!
Pam Greer says
We love it grilled too!
Laura @MotherWouldKnow says
I love haloumi cheese, but had never seen it used in a salad. What a great idea - much healthier than the ways I've used haloumi in the past:) Must try this.
Susan@LunaCafe says
I love haloumi and what a lovely way to use it.
Rachael {La Fuji Mama} says
I adore haloumi and love the looks of this!!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free says
That recipe looks so simple and delicious! I really appreciate the cheese description, too - makes it easier for me to figure out how to replace it for dairy-free!
Christie says
I love haloumi but it is hard to find around here. What a gorgeous salad I would love to eat.
Judy@ImBoredLetsGo says
This sounds like a perfect quick, easy and delicious weeknight meal!
Barbara says
What a great salad! Healthy, tasty and looks so pretty on the plate.
( finally read The Stranger....loved it!)
Lou Lou Girls says
Oh my…so delicious! I always get so excited to see what you have brought to the party! Pinned and tweeted. Thank you for being part of our party. I hope to see you on tonight at 7. Lou Lou Girls
Simona says
I love Halloumi too (I actually make it at home when I can get my hands on some fresh goat milk). Great-looking salad, lovely presentation and cute plate too 🙂
Deb in Hawaii says
Mmm... this looks fabulous for any season. I love Haloumi or Halloumi regardless of the spelling and that smoky lemon dressing sounds perfect. Thanks for sharing it with Souper Sundays this week! 😉
swathi says
Delicious salad Pam, I haven't tried quinoa and kale together, I will, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog, pinning, tweeting and sharing in google plus.
Ann says
I love haloumi and don't mind kale. Haven't tried quinoa but wouldn't mind giving this dish a go.
Cheryl says
Oh that salad looks so good and I love the plates...so many fun colors...bring on the wine...
Thanks for stopping by...I'm been a bit lazy lately...at the beach..but yes, good things about the camera...now I'm saving money for a longer lens or perhaps a portrait...who knows...enjoy your week.
Kirsten says
Pam,
I'm always happy when the fancy cheese counter offers up samples of haloumi cheese--it tastes yummy!
I've never bought some and brought it home, but this salad looks like an excellent reason to change that up.
Thanks!
Christine from Cook the Story says
There's so much healthy goodness in this salad. Love the use of red quinoa.
Joanne says
I've been getting back into craving salads, but the heavier kind. Love that this has quinoa AND kale AND halloumi - three of my favorites!
jenn Peas and Crayons says
So. Much. YUM!!!! I would inhale this salad!