The part that matters most to me is the cheese. I cut the hellim into roughly 1 × 1 cm cubes and soak it in warm water for 15–20 minutes before cooking. I then brown the cubes in a small amount of butter instead of using a dry pan. The butter gives the cheese a richer flavor that I prefer in this salad.

How I Cook the Halloumi

I cook the halloumi over medium heat and stay next to the pan while it cooks. I turn the cubes regularly with a spatula so that as many sides as possible brown evenly.

Each surface usually needs around 2–3 minutes in my pan. I look for a light brown exterior rather than simply warming the cheese through.

This is an important detail for me because undercooked hellim keeps more of the rubbery, squeaky texture it has when raw. Once it is properly browned, I find the texture much more pleasant.

After cooking, I remove the cheese from the pan and let it rest for about 5–10 minutes before adding it to the salad.

My Halloumi Salad Dressing

I keep the dressing simple: 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of pomegranate molasses.

I do not add extra salt. Halloumi is already salty enough for my taste, even after I soak it briefly in warm water.

What Goes Into My Salad

For two servings, I use one small head of iceberg lettuce, one small cucumber, five or six cherry tomatoes, two tablespoons of cooked sweet corn and five or six arugula leaves.

I combine the vegetables with the dressing, then add the rested halloumi cubes. I have also made this salad with walnuts before, and they work well, but they are optional rather than part of my standard version.

The Mistake I Avoid With Halloumi

The mistake I notice most is stopping the cooking too early. Simply heating halloumi is not enough for the texture I want. I prefer to give the cubes enough time to develop light brown surfaces on several sides.

Because the cubes are small, I keep turning them rather than leaving the pan unattended. That gives me more even browning and helps prevent one side from becoming too dark while another stays pale.

This is not a traditional regional salad that I am trying to reproduce. It is simply the halloumi salad I make at home, using ingredients I regularly buy in Turkey and a method that works well for me.

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