Lazy Days: Quinoa salad with Mediterranean vegetables & halloumi

We have been completely spoilt with sunshine over the past few weeks and we've been spending as much time as possible enjoying our evenings outside. We're sure, like us, that you're craving lighter healthier meals in the evenings, which you can knock up in no time. Our lovely friends at Kallo have shared this delicious, easy recipe for a warm summer quinoa salad with lots of healthy veggies and creamy halloumi.

Ingredients

4 tbsp olive oil

3 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 tsp caster sugar

1 clove garlic, crushed

2 red or orange peppers, cut into strips

200g cherry tomatoes, halved

2 red onions, each cut into 8, through the root

½ butternut squash, cut into 1cm cubes

200g quinoa

1 Kallo Vegetable Stock Cube, dissolved in 350ml boiling water

A small bunch basil, roughly chopped

2 packs halloumi cheese, cut into 1cm slices

A little olive oil to brush

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

This recipe uses either...

Very Low Salt Organic Vegetable Stock cubes

Organic Vegetable Stock Cubes

Method

Preheat the oven to 220°C / 200°C fan / gas 7.

To make the dressing, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, caster sugar and garlic. Season with a little salt and pepper. Spread the vegetables and tomatoes out in a large roasting tin and pour in roughly half the dressing, tossing well to mix. Roast in the oven for 35-40 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Whilst the vegetables are roasting, cook the quinoa. Rinse well under running cold water then tip into a saucepan. Pour in the stock, set over a low heat and cover, bring up to a gentle simmer and cook for 15 minutes until the grains are tender but still with plenty of bite and the stock has been absorbed. Lightly stir through the rest of the dressing.

Heat a griddle pan until hot and lightly brush the halloumi with a little oil. Grill on both sides for 2-3 minutes until crisp. Remove to a board and roughly chop before adding to the salad.
Once the vegetables are cooked, toss them lightly through the salad and serve scattered with the basil.