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Vegetarian, Meal soups and plant based

Grilled vegetable and halloumi skewers with herbed couscous

Grilled vegetable and halloumi skewers are a summer dish for 4 people, ready in 35 minutes, very easy to make, for about €2.70 per serving. They pair zucchini, bell pepper, and red onion with grilled halloumi, served over a lemony herbed couscous. The key is browning the halloumi well without overcooking it, so it stays soft inside.

Grilled vegetable and halloumi skewers, sizzling straight off the pan, with a fresh herbed couscous.

Grilled vegetable and halloumi skewers with herbed couscous
Total time
35 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€2.70
Calories per person
700 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer
The kids
They generally like it

Halloumi is the cheese that doesn't melt when heated. Grilled, it forms a golden crust and squeaks slightly as you bite, while staying soft and salty inside. Paired with summer vegetables that caramelize a bit at the edges, this makes for colorful skewers with straightforward flavor, no complicated sauce required.

This is a weeknight dinner that asks almost nothing of you, a cutting board, a grill pan, and a bowl for the couscous. Kids tend to pick out the grilled cheese pieces first, and you can swap in whatever vegetables are in the fridge. It also works well for a casual dinner with friends outside, since you can skewer everything ahead and grill it right before serving.

The ingredients

4 people

Dairy

  • Halloumi 250 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Zucchini 2
  • Red bell pepper 2
  • Red onion 1
  • Mint 6 sprigs
  • Parsley 4 sprigs
  • Lemon 1

Pantry

  • Fine couscousoften in the pantry 280 g
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Skewer sticks 8
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Lactose, Gluten

The step by step recipe

  1. Cut the halloumi, zucchini, bell peppers, and onion into large cubes.

    Cut everything roughly the same size for even cooking.

  2. Thread the pieces onto the skewers, alternating ingredients, and brush with oil.

    Alternate halloumi with vegetables, it shields the vegetables from the heat.

  3. Pour the couscous into a bowl, cover with salted boiling water to the same level, and let it swell. 5 min

    Cover with a plate so it steams as it swells.

  4. Grill the skewers in a grill pan, turning them regularly. 10 min

    Medium high heat, the halloumi should brown without melting.

  5. Fluff the couscous with lemon juice, a drizzle of oil, and the chopped herbs, then serve.

    Add a squeeze of lemon juice over the skewers too.

Our tips to get it right

  • Cut the halloumi into pieces a bit larger than the vegetables, it shrinks slightly as it cooks and can dry out if cut too small.
  • Pat the vegetables dry after washing them, leftover water keeps them from browning nicely in the grill pan.
  • Assemble the skewers ahead of time and keep them chilled, so all that's left to do is grill them right before serving.

The variations

  • Swap the halloumi for firm feta if you want a creamier cheese, but watch it closely since it melts faster.
  • For a cheese free version, add roasted chickpeas to the couscous to keep some plant protein in the dish.
  • For kids, cut the vegetables and halloumi smaller and serve the skewers unthreaded right on top of the couscous.

What to serve it with

  • Tzatziki or a yogurt based sauce
  • Warm pita bread
  • Cold lemon water

Storage

Cooked skewers keep for 2 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Store the couscous separately the same way. Reheat gently in a pan so the halloumi firms back up, the microwave tends to make it rubbery.

Questions about this dish

Can you cook the skewers in the oven instead of a pan?

Yes, bake them at 200°C for about 15 minutes, flipping halfway through. The halloumi won't brown quite as much as in a grill pan, but it still turns out well.

Should you soak wooden skewers before using them?

Soaking them in water for 10 minutes keeps them from burning too fast in the pan or oven. It's not essential for a short cooking time like this one.

Can you prep the skewers ahead of time?

You can thread them several hours ahead and keep them covered in the fridge. Brush on the oil just before cooking so it doesn't soak in too early.

What other cheese works if you can't find halloumi?

A grilling cheese like queso para freír holds up well on the heat. Avoid cheeses that melt easily, they'd run off between the vegetables.

How long does it take to make grilled vegetable and halloumi skewers with herbed couscous?

Count 35 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in grilled vegetable and halloumi skewers with herbed couscous?

About 700 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does grilled vegetable and halloumi skewers with herbed couscous cost?

About €2.70 per serving, or €10.80 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose, gluten. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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