Spicy Halloumi Burger

This is a burger, like a lot of other burgers, that is bad for you. Do not be fooled by the spinach leaves and lack of meat. Treat this bad boy as a treat should you delve into it's creation.

2.3 hours or 20 minutes

Ingredients

Half a pack Halloumi
Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
Teaspoon Smoked Paprika
Teaspoon Oregano
2 Teaspoons Cornflour
Tablespoon Olive Oil
Brioche Bun
Half a Red Onion
Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
Half Tablespoon Brown Sugar
Knob of Butter
Tablespoon Mayo
Tablespoon Hot Sauce
Fresh Spinach

Ingredients

Instructions

Cut your halloumi lengthways down the middle to make a thin-ish square of halloumi. This is your "patty". Stick it in water and leave it for 2 hours to help it become more perfect if you can. It isn't the end of the world if you just want to get stuck in. Slap it in a bowl and add your cayenne, paprika, oregano and cornflour. Mix about so that your cheese chunk is covered and coated. Set aside.
In a little pan add a knob of butter and let it melt on a medium heat. Slice your red onion thinly and add to the butter. Allow to soften. After 2 minutes or so, add your sugar and balsamic vinegar and stir it all together. Keep these covered cooking on a low heat until you're ready to serve.
Prepare your spicy mayo by simply mixing mayo and hot sauce, it's pretty easy. Don't stress yourself. You can mix in a pinch of cayenne and smoked paprika as well if you wish. Slice your brioche bun in half, it might be sliced already, what a treat that would be. Spread a thin layer of mayo and set aside. In a frying pan, fry your halloumi slice for about 2 minutes on each side on a medium heat. You don't want it to burn so maybe an extra splash of oil to the pan before cooking.
When your halloumi is done, slap it on the side and toast your mayo covered buns in the hot pan for about 30 seconds to a minute, or just until golden brown. You can check. It's safe. The mayo crisps things up nicely but it gives a nicer flavour to the crunch. When these are done pop them on a plate.
Spread your spicy mayo on the bottom bun. Apply your cheesy patty and top with sticky sweet onions. Chuck a few fresh spinach leaves on top and give more mayo to the top bun. Pop that on top and Bob's your uncle you've got yourself a pengy cheese based burger. Sweet potato fries are good with this. Maybe I should have written a recipe for them also. They're pretty easy just slice some sweet potatoes into chip shapes and stick in a bowl. Mix with a tablespoon of cornflour, a couple of tablespoons of olive oil and the same spices you added to your halloumi. Bake on an oven tray on 180ºC for 25 minutes. Enjoy!