This unique, balanced shrimp and mango salad recipe comes from our food contributor and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Madison Surdyke of Sunny Thymes. She’s on a mission to help you feel totally free and confident in your food choices and body so you can eat what you want, when you want, without any of the guilt, stress, or obsession. Because of this, her recipes focus on honoring your body in a way that feels really good to YOU.

You are going to love this shrimp and mango salad with fried halloumi cheese. Seriously, the combination of ingredients is on point–and probably like nothing you’ve ever had before. It’s savory, salty, and tangy with a hint of sweetness.

two bowls of shrimp and mango salad with fried halloumi cheese and fig jam on the side

Because of all the flavors and textures, this shrimp and mango salad is insanely satisfying. The more toppings the better, right? I am so not a fan of salads that are 90% lettuce–anyone else? As a health coach who helps women put an end to their food and body worries so they can actually enjoy their lives, I know that satisfaction is actually a really important ingredient in a healthy, balanced meal.

We are designed to enjoy our food and feel satisfied afterward.

That’s your body telling you “thank you for nourishing me!”. So, what can you do to make your salads (or meals in general) more satisfying? What would feel really good in your body?

shrimp and mango salad with fried halloumi cheese

This recipe was actually inspired by my trip to Colombia. There was an abundance of the freshest, ripest mangoes and avocados (so, naturally, I ate both on repeat). And the fish there was divine! The halloumi, arugula, and fig jam was actually inspired by a wedding I went to there, where they served a halloumi cheese slice with a little bit of arugula, and some sort of jam as the appetizer. I fell in love!

What is halloumi cheese?

It’s also sometimes called grilling cheese, but it comes from sheep’s milk. Halloumi cheese originates in Greece (which makes it sound more appealing right?). It tastes sort of like mozzarella but is a bit denser and saltier. You can grill it or fry it on the stove for the perfect crispy addition to any meal. You know how when you make a grilled cheese and some of the cheese drips off and gets crispy–and it’s the best part? Well, imagine a whole slice of that, but even better!

shrimp and mango salad with fried halloumi cheese, avocado, quinoa, and fig jam

Anyways, back to the recipe. Once I got home from Colombia, I was craving all the things I ate there. I thought “why not put everything in one bowl and see what happens?” So that’s exactly what I did and what resulted was pure magic. Why don’t you try it and see for yourself?

Did you try this recipe? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!

(Images via Madison Surdyke of Sunny Thymes)

  • PREP TIME: 30 MINS
  • SERVES: 2
  • shrimp and mango salad
  • halloumi cheese
  • halloumi cheese salad

Ingredients

Ingredients:

¼ cup uncooked quinoa

¼ cup diced red onion

½ cup mango (cut into small pieces)

4 cups arugula

8-10 shrimp

2 tbsp fig jam

1 avocado

4 oz halloumi cheese (6 slices)

1-2 tbsp avocado oil (for shrimp/halloumi)

Directions

Step 1:

Combine quinoa with ¼ cup water and bring to a boil. Immediately turn heat to low and cover until cooked (all of the water will be absorbed, and quinoa will be tender).

Step 2:

While the quinoa is cooking, cut the mango and red onion into small pieces and assemble arugula into 2 bowls.

 

Step 3:

Cook shrimp over medium to high heat in 1 tbsp avocado oil. When shrimp is almost done, add more avocado oil if needed and add halloumi slices.

Step 4:

Cook the halloumi cheese on both sides until browned and starting to crisp.

 

Step 5:

Top arugula with quinoa, red onion, mango, shrimp, halloumi, and avocado. Add a tbsp of fig jam to each bowl.

 

Step 6:

Drizzle with additional avocado oil as the dressing and add salt, pepper, and garlic to taste.