Grilled Halloumi Burger with Smashed Avocado

Name: Grilled Halloumi Burger with Smashed Avocado
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 Servings
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 1 tsp sumac; Pinch of cayenne pepper; 1 tsp paprika; 2 super-ripe avocados; Juice of 1 lime; 4 x halloumi cheese slices, 2cm thick; Rapeseed oil, for drizzling; 4 brioche burger buns; Handful of mint leaves, chopped; Pomegranate molasses, to drizzle; 2 ripe tomatoes (preferably beef), sliced; Bunch of rocket or other lettuce leaves

preparation 10 minutes
cook time 20 minutes
Serves 4

Every good cook needs a solid veggie burger in their arsenal. This vegetarian halloumi burger is super-simple and quick, and packed with flavour.

Extracted from Fire Food: The Ultimate BBQ Cookbook by DJ BBQ (£15, Quadrille) Photography © David Loftus

Ingredients Method

For the seasoning:
1 tsp sumac
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1 tsp paprika
For the smashed avocado:
2 super-ripe avocados
Juice of 1 lime
For the burgers:
4 x halloumi cheese slices, 2cm thick
Rapeseed oil, for drizzling
4 brioche burger buns
Handful of mint leaves, chopped
Pomegranate molasses, to drizzle
2 ripe tomatoes (preferably beef), sliced
Bunch of rocket or other lettuce leaves

Put all the seasoning spices in a shallow bowl and mix well. Halve the avocados, remove the pits and, using a large spoon, pull the ripe flesh away from the skin and empty into a bowl. Using the back of a large spoon, smash the avocado to a chunky paste. Pour in the lime juice, give it a light mix and set aside.

Lay the halloumi slices on a plate and drizzle oil on both sides. Lightly sprinkle the seasoning mix all over the cheese. Once seasoned, place the slabs over direct heat and grill on a medium high heat for a couple of minutes on one side until you have some lovely golden brown grill marks. Flip and repeat. Everything happens pretty quickly, so this is a good time to toast your burger buns on the grill.

Assembly time! Spoon the avocado onto the bases of the brioche burger buns. Sprinkle the chopped mint onto the avocado, then place a slice of halloumi on top. Next, drizzle the pomegranate molasses onto the halloumi - it has a zingy flavour that will make your taste buds tingle. Top that with the tomato slices and rocket. Serve and watch your friends' eyes widen with excitement.