Grilled Halloumi Burger with Smashed Avocado

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

10 minutes prep, 20 minutes cook

Serves 4

Ingredients

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

Method

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.