Ingredients

The following ingredients have 5 Servings
  • 1 1/4 pounds (567 grams) tomatoes (cut into rough chunks)
  • 1 large red onion (finely sliced)
  • 1 large cucumber (halved lengthwise, halved again and cut into 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) dice)
  • 2 tablespoons dried oregano
  • Finely grated zest and juice of 1 unwaxed lemon
  • Olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Maldon sea salt flakes (plus more to season)
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 heaping teaspoons cumin seeds
  • 2 heaping teaspoons coriander seeds
  • 2 teaspoons black mustard seeds
  • 1 heaping teaspoon red pepper flakes (plus more to taste)
  • Garlic oil (optional)
  • 4-5 thick slices sourdough bread or similar (preferably stale or left out to dry, cubed)
  • 2 (1/2 pound, 227 grams each) blocks Halloumi cheese (each cut into 5 slices)
  • 1 small bunch (about 1 ounce, 28 grams) mint (leaves picked, rolled up tightly and cut into thin ribbons, to garnish)

Instruction

  • Put the tomatoes, onion, and cucumber chunks into a large mixing bowl. Add the oregano, lemon zest and juice, and a good drizzle of olive oil, season well with salt and pepper and mix well. Set aside.
  • Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat, add the cumin seeds, coriander seeds, mustard seeds, and pepper flakes and toast until they release their aroma and begin to brown a little, about 1 minute, shaking the pan and taking care to not let them burn.
  • Transfer to a mortar and add the 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes. Using a pestle, crush the seeds lightly to break them down just a little-- you want to keep a lot of the texture. Add the crushed seed mix to the tomato salad and mix well.
  • Line a plate with a double layer of paper towels. Set the same frying pan in which you toasted the seeds over medium-high heat and drizzle in some olive or garlic oil.
  • Once the oil is hot, add the bread cubes and fry on both sides until deep golden, 4-5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.
  • Drizzle a little olive oil into the same pan, add the halloumi slices, and fry until golden brown, 1-2 minutes on each side.
  • Add the fried bread to the salad and toss well to coat the bread chunks in the dressing. Adjust the seasoning as necessary, then arrange the salad and halloumi on a large platter and sprinkle with mint ribbons just before serving.