Sweet and Spicy Seared Halloumi Bowl with Garlic Spinach Rice

This 15-minute Mediterranean bowl stars halloumi grilling cheese-golden and crispy outside with all the melty goodness kept inside. You’ll sear it to a crisp finish and set it over herby garlic rice with wilted spinach.

Drizzle with a vibrant cilantro-red pepper jam sauce with mandarin orange brightness, then shower with almonds for crunchy contrast. It’s a quick, satisfying dinner that’s packed with flavor.

Log in to save recipes and build weekly shopping lists.

Ingredients

2 unit Microwavable RiceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

5 ounce SpinachView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 teaspoon CuminView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

6 ounce Grilling CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2.5 teaspoon White Wine VinegarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Red Pepper JamView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon Garlic Herb ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Chili FlakesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Mandarin OrangeView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 ounce CilantroView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 ounce Sliced AlmondsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon (tsp) Cooking OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon (tbsp) Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Wash and dry produce. Dice cheese into 1-inch pieces. Roughly chop cilantro. Halve mandarin orange. Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add grilling cheese and cook until browned, 1-2 minutes per side.
2. While cheese cooks, in a small bowl, combine cilantro, jam, half the cumin, half the vinegar, 1 TBSP olive oil, juice from mandarin orange, a pinch of salt and pepper and as many chili flakes as you like (all the cumin, all the vinegar and 2 TBSP olive oil for 4 servings).
3. Massage rice in package to break up grains. Roughly chop spinach. To a large microwave-safe bowl, add rice, spinach and garlic herb butter. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave until rice is warmed through and spinach is wilted, 3-4 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork; stir in half the almonds. Stir to combine; season with salt and pepper.
4. Divide garlic spinach rice between shallow bowls and top with cheese. Drizzle with mandarin cilantro sauce and sprinkle with remaining almonds. Serve.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use regular rice instead of microwavable rice?

Yes, cook about 1 cup of dry rice according to package directions and use it in place of the microwavable rice.

What can I substitute for halloumi?

Halloumi is unique, but you can try paneer or firm tofu for a similar sear, though the texture will differ.

Is this dish gluten-free?

Yes, all ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Check labels on the jam and rice to be sure.