BBQ asparagus and halloumi with crispy capers recipe

Chargrilled asparagus and halloumi with crispy capers can be cooked on the BBQ or on the hob. If you cook it on the hob use a cast-iron griddle pan to get lovely brown chargrilled stripes. The barbecue gives that gorgeous smoky outdoors flavour. Look at the weather and decide how you'll cook this easy and tasty veggie dish.

Serves 6

Ready in 30 minutes

Ingredients

2 x 240g packs Discover Halloumi, drained and sliced into 12 large, thin slices
375g asparagus, trimmed
5 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra to drizzle
1 tsp mixed peppercorns, roughly ground
1 tbsp lemon juice
Pinch of sugar
1 tbsp chopped fresh flatleaf parsley
3 tbsp medium-sized capers
2 lemons, each cut into 6 wedges

METHOD

How to make chargrilled asparagus

1. Put the cheese and asparagus in separate dishes and pour 1 tablespoon of the oil over each. Scatter the ground peppercorns over each side of the cheese and a little salt over the asparagus.

Tip: Another idea for halloumi cheese is the Greek recipe saganaki, which is slices fried in oil until golden on each side, then serve with lemon wedges to squeeze over the top.

2. Mix the lemon juice with a pinch of sugar and whisk in 2 more tablespoons of the oil. Season with a pinch of salt and add the chopped parsley. Set aside.

3. Soak the capers in cold water for 5 minutes, then drain and dry on kitchen paper. Heat the remaining tablespoon of the oil over a high heat and fry the capers until dry and crisp. Tip onto kitchen paper to drain.

4. Heat a cast-iron griddle pan over a high heat. When it starts to smoke, turn the heat to medium and griddle the asparagus and lemon wedges on each side until tender - about 5 minutes. Cook the cheese for about 1 minute each side until nice brown stripes appear.

5. Divide the asparagus and halloumi between plates. Scatter with the crispy capers, pour over the dressing and drizzle with extra olive oil. Serve as hot as possible with the lemon wedges.

To barbecue

Preheat your barbecue in the usual way until it reaches the correct temperature. Cook turning once, bearing in mind you may have to adjust the cooking time slightly depending on how hot your barbecue is or how near the heat source the food is placed.