1. What type of dressing goes with this salad?

A bright, sweet-tangy dressing to complement the watermelon. 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, Juice of 1/2 lime, 1 tsp honey and a pinch of sea salt. Whisk all ingredients together until well combined. Drizzle over the salad and gently toss to coat.

2. Is this salad gluten-free?

Yes! The salad itself is gluten-free. Just skip the khoubzeh or serve it with gluten-free bread if needed.

3. What’s the best way to grill halloumi?

Use a nonstick skillet or grill pan over medium heat. Brush lightly with olive oil and grill for 2–3 minutes on each side until golden and crispy.

Halloumi and Watermelon Salad

Name: Halloumi and Watermelon Salad
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 3
Cuisine: Palestinian/American
Ingredients: 1 block halloumi cheese (about 8 oz), sliced into 1/4 inch thick pieces; 3 cups watermelon, cut into bite-sized cubes; 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped or torn; 1 tablespoon olive oil (for grilling)

Description

This Halloumi and Watermelon Salad is the perfect summer dish, it's light, refreshing, and bursting with flavor. The sweet juiciness of watermelon pairs beautifully with the salty, crispy halloumi.

Ingredients

Scale

1 block halloumi cheese (about 8 oz), sliced into 1/4 inch thick pieces
3 cups watermelon, cut into bite-sized cubes
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped or torn
1 tablespoon olive oil (for grilling)

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Instructions

Cut the watermelon: Using a sharp knife, slice the watermelon in half. Take one half and cut a large round slice.
Trim and dice: Remove the rind from the round slice, then cut the flesh into bite-sized square pieces.
Prepare the halloumi: Slice the halloumi into 1/4-inch thick pieces.
Grill the halloumi: Lightly grease a pan with olive oil. Grill the halloumi on each side for 2–3 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
Assemble the salad: Place the watermelon squares in a serving bowl or platter. Top with the grilled halloumi slices and garnish with fresh mint leaves.
Serve immediately and enjoy this refreshing, savory-sweet summer salad!

Notes

Tips To Pick a Sweet, Firm Watermelon

Look for the field spot (the creamy patch): This is the yellowish spot where the watermelon rested on the ground. A deep yellow or creamy spot means it ripened in the sun and is likely sweeter. If it’s white or barely there, it was probably picked too early.
Tap the watermelon with your knuckles. A ripe one sounds deep and hollow, like a drum. If it sounds dull, it might be overripe or underripe.
Check the stripes and skin color: Look for bold, contrasting stripes and a dull (not shiny) skin. Shiny skin can mean the fruit is underripe.
Pick it up and feel the weight: A ripe watermelon should feel heavy for its size, which means it’s full of water and juice. Trust your biceps—heavier is better.
Inspect the tail (if attached):A dried, curly brown stem or tail means it was picked when ripe. A green tail means it may have been harvested too early.
Firmness check: Give it a gentle squeeze—it should feel firm all around. Avoid any with soft spots, dents, or cuts.