Mediterranean Chargrilled Bread Salad with Creamy Baked Cheese
Indulge in this vibrant and flavorful Mediterranean-inspired salad featuring chargrilled Turkish bread, creamy baked cheese, and a symphony of fresh ingredients. A perfect balance of textures and flavors, this salad is brought to life with a zesty balsamic vinaigrette. Ideal for a light lunch or a refreshing appetizer at your next gathering.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cream cheese
125 g (block broken into 2 cm pieces)
Olive oil flavored cooking spray
as needed (for spraying)
Garlic clove
1 (minced)
Lemon rind
1 tablespoon (grated)
Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (or to taste)
Turkish bread
2 rolls (halved horizontally)
Baby rocket
50 g (washed)
Avocado
1 (sliced)
Grape tomatoes
250 g (halved)
Balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup (none)
Olive oil
1/4 cup (none)
Sugar
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Salt and pepper
to taste (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F).
2
Place the cream cheese pieces on a parchment-lined baking tray. Lightly spray with olive oil cooking spray, then sprinkle with minced garlic, grated lemon rind, and a pinch of pepper. Bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese is lightly browned. Allow it to cool slightly.
3
While the cheese is baking, heat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
4
Cut each Turkish bread roll diagonally into 3 slices. Lightly spray the bread slices with olive oil cooking spray.
5
Chargrill the bread slices in the pan until golden brown, approximately 2–3 minutes on each side. Remove and set aside.
6
On a large serving platter, arrange the chargrilled bread slices, baby rocket leaves, avocado slices, grape tomato halves, and the slightly cooled baked cheese.
7
In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, sugar, and additional salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mediterranean Chargrilled Bread Salad with Creamy Baked Cheese?
It is a vibrant salad featuring baked cream cheese, chargrilled Turkish bread, fresh rocket, avocado, and grape tomatoes, dressed with a balsamic vinaigrette.
What type of cheese is used in this recipe?
This recipe uses 125g of cream cheese, broken into 2 cm pieces before baking.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated for the cheese?
The oven should be preheated to 200°C (392°F).
How long does the cream cheese need to bake?
The cream cheese should be baked for approximately 10 minutes or until it is lightly browned.
How is the cream cheese seasoned before baking?
It is sprayed with olive oil and sprinkled with minced garlic, grated lemon rind, and a pinch of pepper.
What kind of bread is recommended for this salad?
Turkish bread rolls are recommended for this recipe.
How should the Turkish bread be cut?
Each roll should be halved horizontally and then cut diagonally into 3 slices.
How do you chargrill the bread?
Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat, spray the bread with olive oil, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
What greens are included in this salad?
The salad uses 50g of washed baby rocket leaves.
How should the avocado be prepared?
The avocado should be sliced before being added to the serving platter.
What type of tomatoes are best for this bread salad?
The recipe calls for 250g of grape tomatoes, halved.
What are the ingredients for the balsamic vinaigrette?
The dressing consists of balsamic vinegar, olive oil, sugar, salt, and pepper.
How much balsamic vinegar is needed for the dressing?
You will need 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar.
How much olive oil is used in the dressing?
The dressing requires 1/4 cup of olive oil.
Is there sugar in the salad dressing?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of sugar is added to the dressing to balance the acidity.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this Mediterranean bread salad is vegetarian-friendly.
Can I serve this salad immediately?
Yes, it is recommended to drizzle the dressing and serve immediately after assembly.
How much garlic is needed?
The recipe uses 1 minced garlic clove to season the cheese.
How much lemon rind is used?
One tablespoon of grated lemon rind is used for the cheese seasoning.
What is the first step in making this salad?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F).
What equipment do I need to grill the bread?
A grill pan is used to achieve the chargrilled texture and flavor on the bread.
Should the cheese be cooled before serving?
The cheese should be allowed to cool slightly after baking before being added to the salad.
How many ingredients are in this recipe in total?
There are 13 ingredients used in this recipe.
What is the preparation style for the cream cheese?
The cream cheese block should be broken into 2 cm pieces.
How is the salad arranged?
Arrange the grilled bread, rocket, avocado, tomatoes, and baked cheese on a large serving platter.
What flavor profile does the lemon rind provide?
The lemon rind adds a zesty, citrusy note that complements the creamy baked cheese.
Can I use a different type of oil?
While olive oil is traditional for Mediterranean flavors, you could use other oils, though it may change the taste.
Is the bread seasoned before grilling?
The bread is lightly sprayed with olive oil cooking spray before being chargrilled.
What makes this a 'Mediterranean' style salad?
The combination of balsamic, olive oil, garlic, lemon, and fresh vegetables gives it a classic Mediterranean profile.