Pattypan and Halloumi Salad with Mint and Oregano Dressing

Do not be intimidated by the title if you've never heard of those ingredients. pattypan is a beautiful summer squash, also called star squash and halloumi is a Greek cheese that is best served fried. So really its just a squash and cheese warm salad. Okay that sounds even worse...its really really good trust me.

I made this for a dinner party and people started eating it before I could get a pretty picture! 

If you've never had halloumi cheese you need to try is RIGHT NOW. And good news Calgarians! Your local Safeway carries it! Shocking, I know. The flavour combinations really jive in this salad and I highly recommend having a bite of the halloumi together with the pattypan. Delicious. This recipe was adapted from a Big Girls Small Kitchen recipe.

Ingredients

Yields 4 served as a side dish.

4 medium-to-small sized pattypan squash
1 250g package of halloumi
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
olive oil for drizzling
juice of half a lemon
1 red chili pepper, seeds removed
small bunch of fresh oregano
small bunch of fresh mint
small bunch of fresh chives, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, peeled
salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Make your dressing: add the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, garlic cloves, half the mint, all the oregano, half the red chili and season with salt and pepper into a food processor and give it a good buzz.
2. Heat up a medium sized frying pan on medium heat. Cut up the pattypan into approximately 2x2" squares. I just followed the star pattern and made them into wedges.
3. Drizzle some olive oil in the pan, add your pattypan then season with salt and pepper. Move around to get it coated with olive oil.
4. Mince half of the red chili pepper with seeds removed and add to the patty pan. Let the pattypan cook for about 5 or 7 minutes to the point that it is still firm but gives way a little when you poke it. Some of the sides should look golden.
5. Remove the pattypan from the pan into a serving dish and cover it with a plate or something to keep it warm while you grill the halloumi.
6.  Slice the halloumi into 3/4" slices, and then slice the slices into 3. It should make them about the same size as the pattypan. In the same pan you fried the pattypan in which should have some residual olive oil, add the halloumi and fry each side until golden brown.
7. Add the halloumi to your serving bowl with the pattypan, pour the dressing over it and combine. Tear pretty remaining mint leaves and garnish the salad with the remaining mint and fresh chives. Serve immediately! and EAT!