A simple mid week lunch with haloumi

So right now I’m supposed to be sorting out the 67 piles of receipts that comprise my income and expenditure over the last financial year and a half. But let’s face it. Writing about food is far more fun.

Actually, to tell the truth, I’ve just spent the last two hours on the couch watching the movie Dave (thanks to Channel 9 for airing it JUST as I sat down to have lunch). You know it right? With Kevin Klein and Sigourney Weaver. And the marvellous Frank Langella as the baddie. I love political movies. Have you seen Frost/Nixon? Frank Langella is superb as disgraced President Nixon. I was hooked on both these movies within seconds of them starting my first viewings. I have lost track of how many times I’ve seen Dave over the years.

Anyway, back to totally digressing. Must be something in the stars. Jo can you answer that?? Oh never mind. I see it’s all about going with the flow today. NO WONDER I’m not getting my tax done!

During the week my hubby and I sat down to talk about our goals for 2014. One of mine is to eat more vegetarian meals (he wasn’t overly impressed…).

As I had stopped in at my favourite haloumi cheese maker during the week to stock up (it’s Olympus if you are in Brisbane – and they sell direct to the public from their factory at about half the price of our local deli), I was in the mood to cook it. And quickly. Haloumi is one of my favourite cheeses. Ever. My morning had blown out a bit and I was home far later than intended, and starving, so needed something quick to make.

This idea was pinched from Tania Hubbard’s book, Gluten Free Grain Free, but with a few modifications and additions.

Haloumi, zucchini and mushroom warm salad
Serves 1

What you need:

• 2 slices of haloumi
• 1 zucchini, sliced into rounds
• 100g mushrooms (at least!), sliced
• 1 clove of garlic, thinly sliced
• olive oil
• s&p
• lemon juice

What you do:

• Heat the olive oil, add the garlic on a low heat and cook gently for 1-2 minutes. Be careful it doesn’t burn.
• Increase heat to medium and add the zucchini and mushrooms. Cook for 4-5 minutes until brown
• Meanwhile, cook the haloumi slices separately until golden (no added oil needed). I have a teppanyaki plate that I cook them on, but you could use a separate frypan
• Once haloumi is cooked, cut each slice into 6-8 squares
• Mix all together, add s&p if needed (I find the haloumi salty enough), squeeze over some lemon juice
• Eat.

Do you like political movies? What’s your favourite??

And what are your quick and easy vegetarian meals to make when you are starving?