Skewered Grilled Halloumi and Veggie Delights
Grill Up a Mediterranean Feast!
Grilled Halloumi and Vegetable Skewers, combined with a vibrant Mediterranean Couscous Salad, make for an amazing alfresco vegetarian meal. Here's what you'll need:
Ingredients (Serves 4 as a main course, 6-8 as a side dish)
For the Sauce:
- 4 medium Roma tomatoes
- A 14-ounce jar of marinated artichoke halves or quarters, drained
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Skewers:
- 1 pound eggplant (Japanese or Chinese preferred,; globe eggplant works too)
- 24 small to medium cremini mushrooms
- 2 red bell peppers
- 1 pound halloumi cheese
- 15 (12-inch) wooden or metal skewers (soak wooden ones in water for 30 minutes to avoid burning)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Oil for grill
Mediterranean Couscous Salad
This side salad is bursting with flavor:
- 1 cup pearl couscous (or instant couscous)
- 1 ½ cups water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- 1 English cucumber, diced
- 1 large red onion, thinly chopped
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup canned chickpeas, drained
- ½ cup pitted Kalamata olives
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup fresh parsley and/or dill, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh mint, chopped (optional)
- Green onions (optional)
Dressing:
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation:
- sauce: Blender-ize tomatoes, remaining sauce ingredients, and set aside 1 cup for serving. Divide the rest between 2 large bowls for skewers.
- Skewers: Cut eggplant, mushrooms, bell peppers, and cheese into chunks. Toss vegetables with sauce, and assemble on skewers. Season with salt and pepper, and oil the grill.
- Cook skewers on medium-high heat (375°F – 425°F), turning every 3 minutes, until charred and cooked through (about 15-20 minutes).
- Serve with reserved sauce.
Enjoy the perfect balance of flavors in this unique Mediterranean-inspired meal! Don't be afraid to get creative when adding or substituting vegetables for the skewers, and customize the salad by adding nuts or seeds for extra crunch!
Buy the ingredients to create a Mediterranean feast, including halloumi cheese, vegetables like eggplant, cremini mushrooms, and red bell peppers, couscous, artichokes, tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, and various herbs. Prepare the recipe for Grilled Halloumi and Vegetable Skewers, along with a vibrant Mediterranean Couscous Salad, to enjoy an alfresco meal that offers a great balance of nutrition and flavor. Consider the given sauce and dressing recipes to enhance the taste of your dish.
