Grilled Corn and Couscous Salad with Halloumi Cheese
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Sunshine in a Serving Bowl ☀️
This is the kind of dish that lands in the center of the table and keeps everyone coming back for another spoonful. 🌽 Sweet grilled corn, briny olives, fresh herbs, and chewy couscous create layers of texture and flavor in every bite. Then there's the halloumi—golden from the grill and just salty enough to bring everything together. It's bright, satisfying, and proof that salads can be every bit as comforting as they are fresh. 🌿
Grilled Corn and Couscous Salad with Halloumi Cheese
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
1/2 cup pinenuts, toasted
1 cup couscous, fregola or Israeli
4 ears of corn, husked
2 tablespoons avocado oil, divided
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
8 ounces Halloumi cheese, sliced lengthwise ¾-inch thick
3 green onions, thinly sliced
½ cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup kalamata olives, sliced
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste
2 tablespoons (or more) white balsamic vinegar
Cook couscous in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package directions. Drain (do not rinse) and spread out on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking and set aside to cool.
Meanwhile, prepare a grill for medium-high heat. Rub corn with 1 Tbsp avocado oil; season with salt and pepper. Grill, turning occasionally, until lightly charred and tender, 8–10 minutes. Transfer to a platter and let cool. Brush cheese with remaining 1 Tbsp avocado oil and grill, turning once, until lightly charred in spots, about 5 minutes. Transfer to platter with corn. Set aside to cool.
Once cool, cut kernels from cobs and place in a large bowl. Add green onions, herbs, tomatoes, nuts, olives, and couscous. Slice Halloumi into bite-size pieces and add to bowl and toss to combine. Add lemon juice, vinegar, and olive oil. Toss to coat. Season with salt, pepper and more lemon juice, if desired.
Chef Stacy Tip: Halloumi cheese can be found at Greek markets, natural foods and specialty foods stores, and some supermarkets. I’ve even seen it as Costco!
Equipment List:
oven
large pot
serrated knife
A Small Favor for Big Flavors! “I’ve included links to a few of my favorite tools and ingredients from Amazon to help you along the way. If you use the links, I’ll earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you! It’s a sweet way to support my kitchen adventures, and I’ll keep bringing you more tasty recipes!" - Chef Stacy
Highlighted Tools of the Week
🌟 Featured Tool of the Week: Chef'n Cob Corn Stripper
👩🍳 Why I’m Obsessed: Fresh corn is delicious—but getting those kernels off the cob? Not so much. This little gadget turns a messy task into a quick, satisfying one. ✨🌽
🍴 Why You’ll Love It: Just twist, push, and watch the kernels come right off. It’s simple enough for the whole family to use and makes prep work so much faster. 🙌
✨ More Sweet Reasons to Love It:
🔪 Hidden stainless steel blades remove kernels efficiently while keeping fingers protected
👨👩👧👦 Kid-friendly design for family cooking sessions
📏 Compact size fits neatly in drawers and cabinets
🌽 Perfect for salads, salsas, chowders, casseroles, and more
Chef'n 102-812-017 Cob Corn Stripper
🌟 Featured Tool of the Week: Chef'n Silkster Corn Brush
👩🍳 Why I’m Obsessed: No more picking stubborn corn silk strands one by one! This little brush makes prepping fresh corn quick, easy, and surprisingly satisfying. ✨
🍴 Why You’ll Love It: It does double duty—removing silk and gently cleaning your corn at the same time, so your cobs are ready for the grill, pot, or salad bowl in minutes. 🌽
✨ More Sweet Reasons to Love It:
🌽 Easily removes pesky corn silk without damaging kernels
🤲 Ergonomic design fits comfortably in your hand
🥒 Also works great on cucumbers, zucchini, squash, and carrots
👨👩👧 Kid-friendly and fun for little kitchen helpers
Chef'n Silkster Corn Brush, Removes Silk
💡 Want more simple techniques that make a big impact? Check out The Tip Jar for chef-inspired tips that elevate your cooking with ease.🍴
From the Tip Jar: How to Cook Pasta Properly (Yes, There Is a Right Way)
Chef Stacy has worked for both Williams Sonoma and Sur La Table and has tried it all! She has handpicked a selection of top-rated cooking tools, all available on Amazon. Transform your kitchen into a chef’s paradise and take your culinary skills to the next level!
“These are items I use and love. If you make a purchase after clicking on the links, I’ll earn some grocery money which I promise to use to make even more recipe content. You do not pay a higher price. Thank you for your support!” - Chef Stacy