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Avocado, Pumpkin and Haloumi Quinoa Salad

This tasty wee quinoa salad is perfect for a casual dinner, or as a dish to take to a potluck BBQ!
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Course Lunch, Main, Salad, Soups and Salad
Servings 4
Calories 497 kcal
Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Ingredients
  

Roast pumpkin

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon runny honey
  • 500 g peeled pumpkin cut into 2cm chunks

Quinoa salad

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 1 ½ cups chicken or vegetable stock
  • 2 firm ripe avocados sliced
  • 1 cherry tomatoe punnet halved
  • 1 cup seedless grapes halved
  • 6-8 medjool dates stone removed, chopped
  • 1 handful baby spinach or rocket arugula
  • ¾ cup flat-leaf parsley chopped

To serve

  • 200 g haloumi cheese sliced 0.5cm thick

Dressing

  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon wholegrain mustard
  • 1 lemon juiced
  • 1 tablespoon liquid honey
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 200°C. Line an oven tray with baking paper.
  • Toss pumpkin with balsamic vinegar, olive oil and honey in prepared tray. Roast until slightly caramelised, 20-25 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, cook the quinoa. Combine quinoa and stock/water (with a pinch of salt) in a medium-size pot and bring to the boil. As soon as it boils, cover with a tight-fitting lid and reduce to lowest heat to cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and leave to steam, still covered, for 10 minutes.
  • Fluff up quinoa grains with a fork and toss with roast pumpkin and remaining quinoa salad ingredients. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Heat a drizzle of oil in a fry pan on medium heat and cook haloumi slices for 1-2 minutes on each side until golden brown, and melted on the inside. Mix all dressing ingredients together and toss with quinoa salad.
  • To serve, divide quinoa salad between bowls and top with slices of cooked haloumi and grilled chicken breast if using.

Notes

Here’s my avocado, pumpkin and haloumi quinoa salad that will delight your taste buds! It’s a delicious vegetarian dish that everyone will love.