PPS: Sizzling Haloumi with Roasted Asparagus and Tomatoes

This dish is featured as part of my Passover Prep Series – a collection of recipes good for Passover, or anytime of year! If this is your first time visiting Cara’s Cravings during the PPS, click here to read more about it.
This dish did not start out as one I planned to feature for my Passover series. It’s actually part of a multi-course interactive dinner party my friend Vanessa and I are catering. I confess that when we offered this course, I had never even tried Haloumi. Risky, maybe. But Vanessa had, and I trust her. I thought it sounded perfect for this event. It’s simple to prepare and involves few ingredients, yet elegant in presentation and flavor. For most of these guests it would likely be new and different, but the combination of a salty cheese with a lemony dressing and roasted asparagus is not unfamiliar or polarizing.

Don’t think I actually went ahead and served this at our function without actually trying it. Vanessa and I actually did a full trial run of the menu with some of our other friends to test out the recipes we had chosen with the wine pairings, and the entire scheduling of the meal in terms of what would be prepped when and how to divide up the tasks. The result was truly enlightening and we were thrilled to hear both positive feedback and constructive criticism on both the food and logistics.
 

While there was disagreement over some other aspects of the menu, one thing everyone seemed to enjoy was this course. And I don’t blame them! This dish has so much going for it. Because it comes together so quickly, you can easily get started on a main course that might take longer to cook, and then quickly throw together this first course. It’s bright and colorful with simple flavors that work beautifully together. And when paired with a Prosecco, it makes a truly fun course that cleanses the palette and prepares the eater for the heartier next course.

Almost immediately I decided this would be a perfect first course for my upcoming Passover Seder. This year my mother will host the first night and prepare many of our traditional family favorites, but for the past few years it’s become my personal tradition to explore the flavors of the Mediterranean and honor our Sephardic heritage. Since I plan to serve fish as the main course this year, I think this salad will fit in wonderfully.

I liked it so much that I was secretly pleased when Vanessa left an extra package of Haloumi cheese in my refrigerator, and I got to make the dish once again. This time I shared it with my parents, who were just as enthused about it as our friends the week before. That pretty much solidified what I will be serving on Passover – and I already can’t wait to eat this again!

What’s your favorite dish to prepare for a dinner party that’s easy to prepare and always pleasantly surprises your guests?

Sizzling Haloumi with Roasted Asparagus and Tomatoes
Slightly Adapted from Jill Dupleix
Printable Recipe 

8oz grape tomatoes
1 lb asparagus
1 tablespoon olive oil
juice from 1 lemon
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons capers
freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
1 package Haloumi cheese, 8.8oz
 
Preheat oven to 350F. Trim the asparagus by snapping off the tough, woody ends. Place the asparagus and tomatoes on a baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and season with freshly ground salt & pepper. Toss to coat.

Roast for about 15 minutes, turning halfway through.

Meanwhile, whisk together lemon juice, remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, capers, pepper and parsley.

Heat a griddle over medium heat and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Cook the Haloumi slices for several minutes on each side, until lightly browned. Transfer to a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven if necessary.

Arrange the asparagus and tomatoes on four plates, and top each with two slices of the seared Haloumi. Drizzle with the lemon-caper vinaigrette and serve immediately.

Nutritional Info

Servings Per Recipe: 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 274.9
Total Fat: 19.0 g
Cholesterol: 41.8 mg
Sodium: 746.4 mg
Total Carbs: 12.6 g
Dietary Fiber: 2.6 g
Protein: 17.1 g

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49 Responses to “PPS: Sizzling Haloumi with Roasted Asparagus and Tomatoes”

  1. 1

    Meghan — March 17, 2010 @ 12:25 pm Reply

    Wow – I love everything about this dish! The colors are fantastic and it sounds soooo good! I haven't really been able to host dinner parties yet, but I have several go-to appetizers that are always a hit.

  2. 2

    yumventures — March 17, 2010 @ 12:52 pm Reply

    I love Haloumi! It is one of my Mom's favorite summer appetizer recipes…or just for a great snack. With the tomatoes and the asparagus, this looks AMAZING! I would definitely make this for any dinner party I have :)P.S. LOVE the new header!

  3. 3

    Ashlee Wetherington — March 17, 2010 @ 1:24 pm Reply

    I love Haloumi! In my family we put it on veggie kebobs and grill it, it's phenominal. This looks fatastic, and I love prosecco, so it's a win-win!

  4. 4

    Robin — March 17, 2010 @ 2:03 pm Reply

    OMG I love Haloumi. I am making this tonight! I cannot wait to try it.

  5. 5

    Dawn — March 17, 2010 @ 2:24 pm Reply

    I have never tried Haloumi but I will now! I like your new header!My favorite dish to prepare for guests is sort of a lighter version of Carabba's Chicken Bryan with a lemon butter sauce, sundried tomatoes, goat cheese and basil. SO good.

  6. 6

    Liz — March 17, 2010 @ 8:39 pm Reply

    Wow, Cara, this looks absolutely delicious!

  7. 7

    Kerstin — March 17, 2010 @ 8:46 pm Reply

    What a gorgeous dish – so colorful and I can just taste the Haloumi – yum! Cute new header too!

  8. 8

    Elina — March 17, 2010 @ 9:36 pm Reply

    What a gorgeous dish! I've never had (or heard of) haloumi. Must find this asap!!

  9. 9

    ellysaysopa.com — March 18, 2010 @ 3:25 am Reply

    Yum, grilled haloumi is the best! Glad you liked it, and the dish looks so pretty!

  10. 10

    megan — March 18, 2010 @ 2:38 pm Reply

    This looks so good! I came to your blog through a comment you left on family fresh cooking. I could really relate to what you said and thought "i need to check out this girl's blog!" I like it..I'll be back. ๐Ÿ™‚

  11. 11

    grace — March 19, 2010 @ 10:53 am Reply

    first of all, the name is such a draw–SIZZLIN'! secondly, it's a hunk of cheese. browned. spiced and seasoned to perfection. clearly, this is an awesome dish–nice find!

  12. 12

    Proud Italian Cook — March 19, 2010 @ 8:11 pm Reply

    Cara, You got me on this one! Love this, I'll be on the hunt for haloumi asap!

  13. 13

    Kevin — March 23, 2010 @ 12:50 am Reply

    Now that is one nice asparagus salad!

  14. 14

    Bridget — March 28, 2010 @ 3:57 pm Reply

    YUM! I had haloumi cheese in Greece on the honeymoon and it was amazing ๐Ÿ™‚ I need to try this recipe out!

  15. 15

    Whit — April 19, 2010 @ 1:28 am Reply

    Cara-I love reading your blog but have never commented before. You have so many healthy and delicious recipes, and I love that you provide the nutritional values for all your recipes! I made this recipe with grilled salmon over spinach (to make it into a meal), and it was so good! Everyone loved it, and I just posted it on my blog so I wanted to say thanks!

  16. 16

    catalina — June 14, 2010 @ 7:48 pm Reply

    This post has been removed by a blog administrator.

  17. 17

    Bridget — March 28, 2011 @ 8:37 pm Reply

    YUM! I had haloumi cheese in Greece on the honeymoon and it was amazing ๐Ÿ™‚ I need to try this recipe out!

  18. 18

    Bridget — March 28, 2011 @ 8:37 pm Reply

    YUM! I had haloumi cheese in Greece on the honeymoon and it was amazing ๐Ÿ™‚ I need to try this recipe out!

  19. 19

    Kevin — March 28, 2011 @ 8:37 pm Reply

    Now that is one nice asparagus salad!

  20. 20

    Kevin — March 28, 2011 @ 8:37 pm Reply

    Now that is one nice asparagus salad!

  21. 21

    Proud Italian Cook — March 28, 2011 @ 8:37 pm Reply

    Cara, You got me on this one! Love this, I'll be on the hunt for haloumi asap!

  22. 22

    grace — March 28, 2011 @ 8:37 pm Reply

    first of all, the name is such a draw–SIZZLIN'! secondly, it's a hunk of cheese. browned. spiced and seasoned to perfection. clearly, this is an awesome dish–nice find!

  23. 23

    grace — March 28, 2011 @ 8:37 pm Reply

    first of all, the name is such a draw–SIZZLIN'! secondly, it's a hunk of cheese. browned. spiced and seasoned to perfection. clearly, this is an awesome dish–nice find!

  24. 24

    ellysaysopa.com — March 28, 2011 @ 8:37 pm Reply

    Yum, grilled haloumi is the best! Glad you liked it, and the dish looks so pretty!

  25. 25

    megan — March 28, 2011 @ 8:37 pm Reply

    This looks so good! I came to your blog through a comment you left on family fresh cooking. I could really relate to what you said and thought "i need to check out this girl's blog!" I like it..I'll be back. ๐Ÿ™‚

  26. 26

    Kerstin — March 28, 2011 @ 8:37 pm Reply

    What a gorgeous dish – so colorful and I can just taste the Haloumi – yum! Cute new header too!

  27. 27

    Elina — March 28, 2011 @ 8:37 pm Reply

    What a gorgeous dish! I've never had (or heard of) haloumi. Must find this asap!!

  28. 28

    Liz — March 28, 2011 @ 8:37 pm Reply

    Wow, Cara, this looks absolutely delicious!

  29. 29

    Dawn — March 28, 2011 @ 8:37 pm Reply

    I have never tried Haloumi but I will now! I like your new header!My favorite dish to prepare for guests is sort of a lighter version of Carabba's Chicken Bryan with a lemon butter sauce, sundried tomatoes, goat cheese and basil. SO good.

  30. 30

    Robin — March 28, 2011 @ 8:37 pm Reply

    OMG I love Haloumi. I am making this tonight! I cannot wait to try it.

  31. 31

    Robin — March 28, 2011 @ 8:37 pm Reply

    OMG I love Haloumi. I am making this tonight! I cannot wait to try it.

  32. 32

    Ashlee Wetherington — March 28, 2011 @ 8:37 pm Reply

    I love Haloumi! In my family we put it on veggie kebobs and grill it, it's phenominal. This looks fatastic, and I love prosecco, so it's a win-win!

  33. 33

    yumventures — March 28, 2011 @ 8:37 pm Reply

    I love Haloumi! It is one of my Mom's favorite summer appetizer recipes…or just for a great snack. With the tomatoes and the asparagus, this looks AMAZING! I would definitely make this for any dinner party I have :)P.S. LOVE the new header!

  34. 34

    yumventures — March 28, 2011 @ 8:37 pm Reply

    I love Haloumi! It is one of my Mom's favorite summer appetizer recipes…or just for a great snack. With the tomatoes and the asparagus, this looks AMAZING! I would definitely make this for any dinner party I have :)P.S. LOVE the new header!

  35. 35

    Meghan — March 28, 2011 @ 8:37 pm Reply

    Wow – I love everything about this dish! The colors are fantastic and it sounds soooo good! I haven't really been able to host dinner parties yet, but I have several go-to appetizers that are always a hit.

  36. 36

    Meghan — March 28, 2011 @ 8:37 pm Reply

    Wow – I love everything about this dish! The colors are fantastic and it sounds soooo good! I haven't really been able to host dinner parties yet, but I have several go-to appetizers that are always a hit.

  37. 37

    Whit — March 28, 2011 @ 8:38 pm Reply

    Cara-I love reading your blog but have never commented before. You have so many healthy and delicious recipes, and I love that you provide the nutritional values for all your recipes! I made this recipe with grilled salmon over spinach (to make it into a meal), and it was so good! Everyone loved it, and I just posted it on my blog so I wanted to say thanks!

  38. 38

    Whit — March 29, 2011 @ 2:06 am Reply

    Cara-I love reading your blog but have never commented before. You have so many healthy and delicious recipes, and I love that you provide the nutritional values for all your recipes! I made this recipe with grilled salmon over spinach (to make it into a meal), and it was so good! Everyone loved it, and I just posted it on my blog so I wanted to say thanks!

  39. 39

    Kevin — March 29, 2011 @ 2:06 am Reply

    Now that is one nice asparagus salad!

  40. 40

    ellysaysopa.com — March 29, 2011 @ 2:06 am Reply

    Yum, grilled haloumi is the best! Glad you liked it, and the dish looks so pretty!

  41. 41

    Liz — March 29, 2011 @ 2:06 am Reply

    Wow, Cara, this looks absolutely delicious!

  42. 42

    Robin — March 29, 2011 @ 2:06 am Reply

    OMG I love Haloumi. I am making this tonight! I cannot wait to try it.

  43. 43

    yumventures — March 29, 2011 @ 2:06 am Reply

    I love Haloumi! It is one of my Mom's favorite summer appetizer recipes…or just for a great snack. With the tomatoes and the asparagus, this looks AMAZING! I would definitely make this for any dinner party I have :)P.S. LOVE the new header!

  44. 44

    Meghan — March 29, 2011 @ 2:06 am Reply

    Wow – I love everything about this dish! The colors are fantastic and it sounds soooo good! I haven't really been able to host dinner parties yet, but I have several go-to appetizers that are always a hit.

  45. 45

    yumventures — April 5, 2011 @ 1:19 am Reply

    I love Haloumi! It is one of my Mom's favorite summer appetizer recipes…or just for a great snack. With the tomatoes and the asparagus, this looks AMAZING! I would definitely make this for any dinner party I have :)P.S. LOVE the new header!

  46. 46

    Robin — April 5, 2011 @ 1:19 am Reply

    OMG I love Haloumi. I am making this tonight! I cannot wait to try it.

  47. 47

    Whit — April 5, 2011 @ 1:19 am Reply

    Cara-I love reading your blog but have never commented before. You have so many healthy and delicious recipes, and I love that you provide the nutritional values for all your recipes! I made this recipe with grilled salmon over spinach (to make it into a meal), and it was so good! Everyone loved it, and I just posted it on my blog so I wanted to say thanks!

  48. 48

    Victoria Sylvester — June 10, 2011 @ 3:28 pm Reply

    Just found this site today! I've been over-feeding my husband and have resolved to eat more healthily so this will be a real lifeline. I love the first two resipes I've looked at and am looking forward to trying them out. This dish sounds like a great post-theatre supper.

  49. 49

    Cara — June 10, 2011 @ 3:32 pm Reply

    Welcome, Victoria! Thanks for the kind words ๐Ÿ™‚

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