Za'atar Halloumi and Tabbouleh Pita Pockets

Salty halloumi browns quickly in a skillet and pairs well with a fresh parsley-heavy bulgur salad. Let the bulgur soften while you chop the vegetables, then dress it with lemon and olive oil. Keep the components separate until serving if the pita needs to travel.

Serves: 4 pita pockets
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup fine bulgur
• 3/4 cup boiling water
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt, divided
• 1 cup finely chopped parsley
• 1/2 cup finely chopped mint
• 1 cup diced tomato, seeds removed
• 1/2 English cucumber, diced
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 8 ounces halloumi, sliced 1/3 inch thick
• 1 teaspoon za'atar
• 4 small pita breads

Method

1. Put bulgur in a heatproof bowl with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Pour boiling water over it, cover, and let stand for 12 minutes.
2. Fluff bulgur with a fork and fold in parsley, mint, tomato, cucumber, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon olive oil.
3. Pat halloumi slices dry. Heat the remaining oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
4. Add halloumi in a single layer and sprinkle with za'atar. Cook for 2 minutes per side, until golden brown.
5. Warm pitas briefly, open each pocket, and divide the tabbouleh and halloumi among them.
6. Serve immediately, or pack the bulgur and cheese separately and fill the pita just before eating.

Variations

Replace bulgur with cooked quinoa if you need a wheat-free grain, following the quinoa package directions. Add chopped scallions to the salad or use a pinch of dried oregano in place of za'atar. If halloumi is very salty, rinse and pat it dry before slicing.

Storage and reheating

Keep tabbouleh in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and store cooked halloumi separately for up to 3 days. Reheat halloumi in a skillet until warm. Assemble pita pockets just before serving to avoid soggy bread.

Read the packable lunches for mixed schedules and meal plan with household preferences for more ways to plan lunch. Add this recipe to the Lucru Home meal planner and list any missing ingredients before shopping.