Hi Blog,
We’re almost at the end of our food inquiry journey 🙁 It kind of breaks my heart a little bit because I really enjoy this process of making and trying new foods. For this week, I’m switching gears for this week, and making a salad inspired by one I had at Tap and Barrel on the mainland. It was a fried halloumi cheese and quinoa bowl with crispy chickpeas, purple cabbage, avocado, halloumi cheese, kale, cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, and kale. I recreated this salad because of how amazing it was! At the restaurant, I thought it was already a 9.5/10, and the only thing I changed was blistering the tomatoes in a hot pan and reducing the overall salt levels in the bowl by a couple spoons.
I understand the choice to add salt, especially with a grain as neutral as quinoa; however, I instead of course added my spices and a little less salt, and seasoned the avocado with “everything but the bagel” seasoning and lemon juice. Instant flavour boost! I also cooked the cherry tomatoes in some olive oil at medium-high heat to give them a sear and I took the “guts” out as well. Personally, I’m not a fan of the inside of a cherry tomato, unless I just eat one whole. There’s something about eating sliced cherry tomatoes with their “guts” that I just digest easily. Maybe it’s a texture thing? Or the way cherry tomatoes have seeds? I don’t know.
Since I’m vegetarian, I’m always exploring substitutes and other options besides meat. For examples, some alternatives I’ve tried in the past when I don’t have quinoa are brown rice and tabouleh, and both are great options. Instead of the cheese, I’ve also marinated tofu in a garlic, soy sauce, and sweet chilli mix then sautéed them as the main source of protein. You could also use burrata for a creamier quinoa bowl or mozzarella for a milder additive in this dish. The dressing, I just used an Italian feta vinaigrette that you get from the grocery store instead of green goddess because truthfully, I forgot to pick that up. I usually use vinaigrettes in the less exciting salads I eat, so I just grabbed it out of habit. Surprisingly, it tasted just as good!
Tap and Barrel as a whole, with the experience was a 9.5/10. I’ve been once before many many years ago, but I really do love this restaurant chain!
Here is a link to their menu: https://tapandbarrel.com/menu/
Til’ next time, Shefali out!
