Mediterranean Pasta Salad With Golden Halloumi

A delicious Mediterranean pasta salad featuring golden halloumi, perfect for a sensational salad series.

By @wholesomebysarah

Original recipe source

Cook time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 small sweet potato
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 0.3333333333333333 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 0.25 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
• 0.5 lemon lemon juice
• 0.5 cup basil leaves
• 0.25 cup dill
• 2 cups cooked pasta
• 1 large lebanese cucumber
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 0.25 cup kalamata olives
• 4 pieces spring onions
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 200 g halloumi cheese
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• 0.5 lemon lemon juice

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C conventional (160°C fan-forced). Line a tray with baking paper.
2. Place the sweet potato on the tray, drizzle over 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and season well. Mix well with your hands. Roast for about 25 minutes or until cooked. Remove and let cool.
3. For the dressing: Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl or jug. Adjust to taste.
4. To a large bowl: Add the cooked pasta, sweet potato, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, olives, spring onion and pine nuts. Drizzle over half the dressing and toss the salad together.
5. Place a medium frying pan over medium–high heat. Add the remaining olive oil and let it heat.
6. Add the halloumi pieces and fry for about 3–4 minutes each side, until caramelised and golden.
7. In the last minute, add the maple syrup and toss through.
8. Squeeze over the lemon juice and season with pepper.
9. Add the halloumi pieces to the salad and toss through.
10. You can drizzle more of the dressing over just before serving.