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GRILLED BRINJAL, HALLOUMI & PESTO BURGER

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It’s the mint and the added lime zest in the pesto that makes this burger extra flavoursome. If you love pesto as much as I do, double the quantities so that you can add some extra pesto to your burger.

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SERVES 6

6 hamburger rolls

1 brinjal

salt

12 slices halloumi cheese

1 cup rocket leaves

FOR THE PESTO

⅓ cup salted pistachio nuts, roasted

1 cup mint, chopped

1 clove garlic, chopped

¼ cup lime juice

Zest of 1 lime

¼ cup olive oil

¼ cup finely grated pecorino cheese

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

  1.  For the burger, cut the brinjal into 1 cm slices and sprinkle with salt on both sides. Leave for 30 minutes, then rinse off the salt and pat dry with kitchen paper.

  2.  Brush the braai grid with olive oil and braai the brinjal and halloumi over medium heat for 6 - 8 minutes, turning regularly and making sure that the halloumi does not melt too much.

  3.  To build your burger, cut the bread rolls in half and toast on the grill for a couple of seconds

  4.  Remove and spread with a good helping of pesto. Place a piece of brinjal on top, season with salt and pepper and then add the halloumi and rocket.

  5.  Finally add the top half of the roll and get ready to be transported to burger heaven.