Mediterranean Halloumi Tray Bake

Ingredients

• 300g brown rice
• 1 red pepper cut into chunky pieces
• 1 yellow pepper cut into chunky pieces
• 1 courgette cut into chunky pieces
• 1 onion cut into chunky pieces
• 2 aubergines cut into chunky pieces
• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 450g halloumi cubed into chunky pieces
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• 2 garlic cloves sliced
• 1/2 lemon juice
• 2 tbsp fresh basil chopped

Method

1. Heat the oven

   Preheat oven to 200°C fan (220°C conventional) and get out two large baking trays.

2. Cook the brown rice

   Rinse 300g brown rice and add to a saucepan of salted boiling water. Cook uncovered for 30 minutes until tender but with a slight bite. Drain well, then return to the pan (off the heat), cover with a lid, and leave to steam for 5–10 minutes before serving.

3. Chop the vegetables

   Meanwhile, chop the aubergine, courgette, peppers, and onion into chunky pieces.

4. Season the vegetables

   Add the vegetables to a large bowl with the olive oil, oregano, thyme, smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss well to coat.

5. Roast the vegetables

   Spread the vegetables across two large baking trays in a single layer. Roast for 25–35 minutes, turning once halfway and rotating trays if needed, until softened and starting to brown at the edges.

6. Prepare the halloumi

   While the vegetables roast, cube the halloumi and toss with the fennel seeds.

7. Add the garlic and halloumi

   Remove the trays from the oven. Scatter over the sliced garlic and turn the vegetables gently so it is mixed through rather than sitting on top – exposed slices will burn. Arrange the halloumi over the vegetables in a single layer and return to the oven for 10–15 minutes, until golden.

8. Grill for extra colour

   (Optional) Finish under a hot grill for 3–5 minutes for extra colour.

9. Finish with lemon and basil

   Squeeze over the lemon juice, scatter the basil and serve.

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