by Simone on July 3, 2010 // 26 Comments »

Endive salad with nectarines, seeds and haloumi

Endive salad with nectarines and haloumi

I am not sure how the temperatures are in the rest of Europe but here in Holland it has reached rather high numbers. Yesterday was the worst with 37°C (98°F) and while today is a little less hot; it’s still in it’s thirties… Not even Italy was that hot! And the problem here is that it tends to get really humid and sticky. Dry heat is easier to cope with I think..

Since I got back it’s been really crazy with work, so this is the first day I get to actually do nothing and cook something! Or maybe cooking is not the right term when it comes to a salad, but it’s definitely the perfect thing to eat on a hot weekend summer day. Tonight it’s gonna be BBQ time and I seriously hope that the weather gets a little cooler. But then again; at least the sun is shining right? So no more complaining!

I didn’t even tell you yet that I have won an award for my wedding photography! It’s the Weddingphoto Award 2010 which is held every year. There were 5 categories and I won in the free category with the below photo. As it turns out I am also the only female photographer that won… Not that that makes any difference; I just thought it was funny. And no dad, I did not win 10.000 euro (sort of the first thing he asked when I told them I had won!) but it’s good publicity and ultimately that is what counts right?

The winning photo

It was also the first time I have ever entered in any contest since I’ve become a photographer and maybe I should do it more often as it’s definitely good exposure. I am just always one of those people that only notice a contest after it’s already closed..lol… Guess it won’t hurt to keep up more with what is going on!

I’ve got some interesting projects going on that hopefully will be successful….

But on to my salad of this afternoon….

I had bought the endive yesterday and with the temperatures right now it was already wilted before I got home. But 15 minutes in an icewater bath did miracles and revived the vegetables completely. The original recipe comes from Delicious magazine and was with goatcheese. I didn’t have goatcheese at hand, but I did have some haloumi left in the fridge that I wanted to use and thought would work perfect with the nectarines and the endive. And it did… Lovely combination! The dressing was made of some sjalot, garlic, white balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Add salt if you want but really the salt in the haloumi is enough for the entire salad.

Here is the adapted recipe! (original Delicious Magazine July 2010)

[gmc_recipe 1894]

posted in Appetizer, Food and Drink, Recipes, Salads

26 Comments »

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Mika — July 3, 2010 at 17:32

This is the first time I read you…
Congratulations for the contest!
Your pics are really amazing, as you probably know…but I wanted to tell that anyway… ^_^

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Asha@FSK — July 3, 2010 at 18:47
Ah! what a beautiful salad, Simone! Glad to have you back and cooking for us!

And, CONGRATS on the win!! That’s a lovely snap.. so Candid!! )

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- Simone (junglefrog) — July 4th, 2010 at 17:03
  
  Thanks Asha!
  
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Trissa — July 4, 2010 at 09:28
Conrgatulations SImone! Yay for uplifting women’s reputations as great photographers! That’s a lovely picture. And on to the salad – that’s a lovely salad too! I would have never thought of using nectarines for a salad… unusual but am sure super delicious.

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- Simone (junglefrog) — July 4th, 2010 at 17:02
  
  Isn’t it strange that I was the only female winner? I know there are many other female photographers out there…
  
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Miriam/The Winter Guest — July 4, 2010 at 10:17
Congratulations! The photo is delightful… no wonder you won. And yes, it’s a wonderful publicity I guess.

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- Simone (junglefrog) — July 4th, 2010 at 17:02
  
  Thanks Miriam! Yes, ultimately it is indeed all about the publicity!
  
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Jamie — July 4, 2010 at 10:56
Oh, Simone, congratulations on the award! The photograph is stunning and deserves that award! Yay you! I am thrilled for you. And this salad is the perfect summer meal. Beautiful from beginning to end.

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- Simone (junglefrog) — July 4th, 2010 at 16:47
  
  Thanks Jamie! I never really expected to win, so it was a really great surprise!
  
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Hannah — July 4, 2010 at 15:09
Congrats on your much-deserved win! I can certainly see why that photo took the prize… It’s simply lovely. If I ever get married, I’d sure love for you to be the photographer, I can say for sure!

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- Simone (junglefrog) — July 4th, 2010 at 16:46
  
  And I would love to come over..:)
  
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Sophie — July 4, 2010 at 15:10
Congrats, simone for the winning picture!! Yeah for you!!

That salad sings to me!! i so love fried haloumi combined with fruits of the season!!

MMMMMMMMMM,…a real delight!!!

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- Simone (junglefrog) — July 4th, 2010 at 16:46
  
  Thanks Sophie! I am glad I still have some haloumi left to use with other fruits!
  
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Anh — July 4, 2010 at 16:19
Fab salad! I always want to make a nectarin salad but never get around with it!!

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- Simone (junglefrog) — July 4th, 2010 at 16:45
  
  You should try it! It’s a really great combination!
  
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Peter G @ Souvlaki For The Soul — July 5, 2010 at 01:28

First off congratulations on your win! You deserve it Simone! That shot is quite unique and fun too! As for the salad, it sounds really refreshing. Especially with the nectarines…thanks for sharing and welcome back.

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Lisa — July 5, 2010 at 02:17
Simone – Fantastic that you swon for your photograph! Congratulations! It seems like men seem to dominate many professions when it comes to high end recognition, whether it be photography, cooking, hair and as always, business in general. I love when women grab the spotlight and I hope it continues to multiply until domination of either sex no longer exists.

OK..*stepping off soap box* That is one beautiful salad. I’ve never tried Haloumi before..no idea why, but this inspires me to do so. Welcome back and love all the photos from your trip MY BF is currentky in Denmark via Germany and all I got was a picture of a castle..LOL

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- Simone (junglefrog) — July 5th, 2010 at 07:30
  
  He Lisa,
  Your original comment was also there, so I deleted the other two..lol… Not sure how that happens but I’ve had it a couple of times now… Hmm… weird! But thanks for the congrats!
  
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Joy — July 5, 2010 at 04:07

That look so good. I love nectarines and it looks great in salads.

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anncoo — July 5, 2010 at 17:02
Congrats on the win. You deserve it! I was just telling my friend Lindsey 2 weeks you’ve got stunning pictures and amazing blog.
I love your salad too~looks lovely.

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- Simone (junglefrog) — July 6th, 2010 at 12:53
  
  O thanks Anncoo! You’re too kind..
  
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A Canadian Foodie — July 6, 2010 at 14:50

Welcome home! Congratulations on your award! That is what counts – recognition! And you absolutely should enter more. I need a class. I just got my dSLR camera and really am struggling with it – especially on the fly. Your travel posts were great – gorgeous photos, and I expect more, now that you are home…

Valerie

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Sylvia — July 8, 2010 at 15:22

Simone, this sounds delicious and the photos are so vibrant and lovely! When nectarines are in season, I eat them every single day and I’m looking forward to some variation from my favourite salad.

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Magic of Spice — July 9, 2010 at 03:08

Congrats on your award…This salad looks so refreshing, and I love your site:)

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liz@zested — July 13, 2010 at 23:49
Halloumi in a salad – what a fantastic idea. And congrats on the award!

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- Simone (junglefrog) — July 14th, 2010 at 12:15
  
  Thanks Liz!
  
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