Couscous salad with halloumi and apple
It’s been a weird week. With Gizmo no longer with us, I still find that I expect to see her at every corner. You know how that is. Everyone has those little habits that are hard to break! To give an example; when we go to bed we always used to check where Gizmo was, making sure she wasn’t sneaking into a space she wasn’t supposed to go into (she was very good at that!) And I still have to remind myself every night that we no longer have to do that. It doesn’t matter if doors are open or closed. I still go on auto pilot to the cat-food section in the supermarket, only to turn around, and realize we don’t need that.
Couscous salad with pistache
I also like to thank everyone for your kind comments after my memorial post for Gizmo. It really means a lot that you will miss her funny face as much as I do! Or maybe not as much but a little bit anyway.. 
As with anything there is always a bright side to things; one of the downsides of having a geriatric cat is that we couldn’t travel together for long periods. Apart from the fact that she needed her medicine every day, if we were gone for too long she would go into hunger strike… Yes, cats do that too! So two years ago we made the decision to not go on extended vacations for as long as she would live. It scared me a little too at time, to even think about the fact that she might live to be 30! Lol… imagine that… Anyway, partially to distract myself from missing her I started searching for holidays this week and we booked our first trip in a long time! Whoohoo!!
So it’s gonna be Cuba. We’ve wanted to go there for a really long time, but it’s finally happening. Which means – nightmare of nightmares – I need to get my behind into bikini shape. And I need to do it rapidly too! Only three months to go and that ain’t a long time! So expect to see a few salads popping up here and there. Maybe I should go a little lighter on the halloumi really but this is really really good. And I used my homemade halloumi ofcourse! I promised to give you this recipe ages ago so here it finally is!
Couscous salad with halloumi
Yield: 1
The saltiness of the halloumi goes really well together with the crunchy pomegranate and the slight acidity of the orange-dressing.
Ingredients:
- 75 gr couscous
- 1 slice of halloumi
- 1 stock cube
- 1-2 tbsp pistachio, roasted and chopped
- chives
- 3 tbsp pomegranate seeds
- 1/2 apple cubed
FOR THE DRESSING:
- 2 tbsp orange juice
- 1 tbsp pomegranate juice
- oliveoil
- lemon juice
- salt
- pepper
- vinegar
Directions:
Put the couscous in a bowl and pour over the hot stock. Make sure the couscous is just submerged but do not use too much stock. Cover with a lid and leave to stand for about 4 minutes.
Make the dressing by combining the ingredients and whisking them all together. I didn't measure it exactly so just go with your own flavor instinct until it tastes to your liking.
Cut the halloumi into cubes and quickly fry them in hot oil. Leave to drain on kitchen paper and try not to eat them all before they go into the salad.. ;)
Put all the ingredients for the salad into a bowl and mix it together. Add a bit of the dressing, mix and serve the rest of the dressing to the side.
Recipe by Simone van den Berg
Appetizer
Asian
Bread
Breakfast
Desserts & other sweets
Healthy
Oh dear, you must not bother about the bikini diet. The women in Cuba are so amazing that even if you get into the best shape of your life you will be the fat, lumpy one. The good news is that no one cares and you will have a great time. Also the food is awful unless you go to someones house – then it’s fab. Have a great time and the light is amazing for photos
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Simone (junglefrog) — November 11th, 2012 at 22:54
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Anne Marie Carroll — November 11th, 2012 at 23:09
theres so much to do that we only went to the beach one time and then it was the least interesting day we spent there – we stayed in Havana for 12 days – such a great holiday and you are so lucky! Cannot wait to see your photos!
Beautiful salad, I love these flavors. A perfect use for homemade halloumi!
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Simone (junglefrog) — November 14th, 2012 at 17:13
Thanks so much Laura, Perfect for the halloumi indeed!
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A perfect combination! The type of food I love to eat. A pity that halloumi is hard to find/get here…
Cheers,
Rosa
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Simone (junglefrog) — November 14th, 2012 at 17:14
Ah but that’s why I make it myself now Rosa..
Well that’s not fair as I have bought it before but it’s certainly an option to make it yourself!
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Love the salad and especially the dressing with the varied fruity notes! Since the salad season has truly sprung Down Under, hope you continue to be ‘worried’ about your bikini shape and post more such interesting ones! And, yes, i have problems keeping my fingers off the halloumi pieces also
!
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Simone (junglefrog) — November 14th, 2012 at 17:15
I know they’re so good right? Not sure if the next salad is with ingredients you’ll be able to find in your summer.. Would be interesting to know though!
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Great Salad (delicious halloumi – not available here!!!!, lol) and good luck with your exercises. Dont fret too much, just enjoy yourself. Ciao Carina
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Simone (junglefrog) — November 14th, 2012 at 17:15
Thanks so much Carina!
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So Cuba it is, sounds great!
I make couscous salads so often, because it’s my go-to “everything but the kitchen sink” dish, where I can throw in everything I like. This one looks delicious!
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Simone (junglefrog) — November 14th, 2012 at 17:16
it is like that with couscous right? You just throw in what ever you have and it almost always tastes good. (I did have a few lesser examples that were not so great though.. My fault, not the couscous.
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Oh great you’ll be in my neck of the woods or just a few islands north of me at any rate:-) Have a wonderful holiday. Looking forward to pictures of your impressions.
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Simone (junglefrog) — November 14th, 2012 at 17:16
Thanks so much Wizzy!
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The house must seem so lonely and bare – even when you are both home. Pets seem to breath an indiscernible warmth into one’s home. But, one we go… and you are gorgeous – and look very fit to me – but, I completely understand. When I was in great shape and healthy, there was still an ongoing project physically! The salad looks yummy. I still have not conquered feta to the point you have. Mine was tasty, and good – but not soft and melty enough in the centre. That is my goal.
V
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Simone (junglefrog) — November 14th, 2012 at 17:21
I want to do feta soon too but I always want to have a little time on my hands to do the cheese projects as it somehow doesn’t work when I’m rushed!
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Oh I love the sound of this. The salty and sweet in one delicious yet still filling salad. YUM
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Simone (junglefrog) — November 14th, 2012 at 17:21
Yes it is very good indeed!
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The couscous looks wonderful.
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Oh I am sure that if Gizmo only knew you could now go to Cuba he’d be thrilled! And I’m jealous, husband has always wanted to go to Cuba! We’ll be waiting for your photos! And this salad is wonderful! I love the sweet apples in with the cheese and couscous!
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I totally understand, after a year I still feel like I see my buddy Paco. It takes time, but I do understand the traveling issue. What an exciting adventure you have planned! I love this salad. We just discovered hallumi cheese, it would be wonderful in the salad:-) Hugs, Terea
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