Aubergine and halloumi burgers

Ingredients

• 1 large aubergine
• 4 tbsp mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp harissa
• 1 tbsp plain flour, seasoned
• 1 egg, beaten
• 50g dried white breadcrumbs
• ¼ tsp ground cumin
• ¼ tsp garlic salt
• ¼ tsp mild chilli powder
• for frying vegetable oil
• 1 block halloumi, cut into 8 slices
• 4 burger buns, toasted
• 4 leaves soft lettuce
• 1 beef tomato, cut into 4 thick slices

Method

1. Cut four 1cm discs from the thickest part of the aubergine. Toss with 1 tsp of sea salt and leave in a colander for 20 minutes. Wipe dry with kitchen paper.
2. Mix together the mayonnaise and harissa.
3. Put the flour, egg and breadcrumbs in separate bowls. Mix the spices into the breadcrumbs, and season.
4. Heat a shallow pool of oil in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Dip the aubergine slices in the flour, then the egg, then the breadcrumbs to coat. Fry for 4-5 minutes each side or until deep golden, crisp and tender inside. Cook the aubergine for the full time to avoid it being chewy in the middle.
5. Cook the halloumi slices at the same time in a separate non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat until golden.
6. To assemble the buns, spread both sides with harissa mayo then layer up with lettuce, tomato, an aubergine burger and 2 slices of halloumi. Finish with a bun top.