Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 225 g (1 block) low fat halloumi, thinly sliced
- 1-2 fresh chillies, deseeded (if preferred) and finely chopped
- 50 g spring onion, thinly sliced
- 3-4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 2 courgettes: 1 grated, 1 sliced into thin quarters
- 400 g linguine
- 250 g cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 50 g green olives, thinly sliced
- Fresh basil, for garnish
- ½ lemon, juiced
Pantry Essentials
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 8 tbsp (1 tube) tomato puree
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1.2 litres chicken or vegetable stock
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: chilli flakes for extra heat
Instructions
- Fry Halloumi: Heat half of the olive oil in a large, deep non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the thinly sliced halloumi and fry each side for about 2 minutes, until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pan, add the remaining oil along with the chopped garlic, chilli, and spring onion (reserve some green parts of spring onion for garnish). Fry for a few minutes until fragrant and aromatic.
- Add Vegetables and Spices: Add the courgette quarters, smoked paprika, and tomato puree to the pan. Season with salt and fry for 3 minutes to combine the flavors.
- Cook Pasta in Stock: Pour in the chicken or vegetable stock and add the linguine directly into the pan. Bring to a boil, then cook for about 12 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent the pasta from sticking and to ensure it cooks evenly in the stock.
- Finish Sauce and Combine: When the pasta is nearly done, stir in the grated courgette, cherry tomatoes, sliced olives, and lemon juice. This adds freshness and texture to the dish.
- Serve: Top the pasta with the fried halloumi, reserved spring onion greens, fresh basil leaves, and additional fresh chilli if desired. Season with a pinch of salt, pepper, and chilli flakes for extra heat before enjoying.
Notes
- If you prefer less heat, deseed the chillies before adding.
- Stir the pasta frequently to prevent sticking since it cooks directly in the stock.
- Using low fat halloumi cuts down on fat content while still providing a great texture.
- You can substitute chicken stock with vegetable stock for a vegetarian option, but the halloumi remains a dairy ingredient.
- Serve with a side salad or crusty bread for a fuller meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Fat