Eggplant Salad with Halloumi (One-Pot Dish)

My exams start next week. After that, my second year of Culinary Arts will already be over. It really feels like just yesterday that I walked into the Karmeliet for my first hands-on class. 🥹 Time really does fly! And time is already a scarce resource, especially during busy periods like this. That’s why simple one-pot dishes like this one are always a welcome and much-appreciated treat.

Eggplant, haloumi, strawberries, and basil—it might be a bold combination, but it’s incredibly flavorful. This is the kind of dish that keeps you coming back for more until the very last bite. It’s perfect as a quick lunch, or pair it with some bread or pasta to turn it into a hearty dinner. Enjoy!

I created this recipe in collaboration with Smekk.

The Recipe

Ingredients: (serves 2)

• 1 eggplant
• ½ package of halloumi
• 1 handful of strawberries
• 1 sprig of basil
• 2 tsp green dukkah
• Salt and pepper

Preparation: (15 minutes)

1. Slice theeggplantinto slices about half a centimeter thick. 
2. Place them on a paper towel to let the moisture drain out.  
3. Meanwhile, cut thehalloumiinto thin slices. 
4. Fry theeggplant slicesin a pan with a little olive oil. The eggplant will absorb a lot of the olive oil, so be sure not to put too much in the pan, or the eggplant will become too soggy. 
5. Next, cook thehalloumi strips. (You can use the same pan—that way, there’s less dishes to wash.)
6. Meanwhile, slice thestrawberriesand finely chop thebasil.  
7. Arrange the eggplant slices and halloumi slices on a plate. 
8. Sprinkle thedukkahandbasil on top.
9. Season with salt and pepper. 

Enjoy your meal! 

Zoë, what can I do with the leftover ingredients?

• Halloumi

This chicory and orange salad is a super tasty dish that’s perfect for using up leftover halloumi. This salad with arugula and watermelon is highly recommended!

• Strawberries

Use the strawberries in this pasta salad with cottage cheese or this refreshing strawberry smoothie.

• Basil

Use the rest of the basil plant for this super delicious tomato sauce or in this spicy mocktail that includes ginger, among other ingredients.