- A handful of rosemary, leaves only
- A 150g bag of polenta
- 1 aubergine
- A 150g pack of halloumi
- 1 lemon
- 1 chilli
- 1 garlic clove
- A handful of basil, leaves only
- 2 large handfuls of rocket
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 450ml boiling water
- Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
- Baking dish
- Large pan
- Measuring jug
- A couple of baking trays
- Baking paper
- Cookie cutter (optional)
- Foil
- Food processor (optional)
- 1.
Heat your oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas 4. Grease a large rectangular baking dish with ½ tbsp oil. Finely chop the rosemary leaves. Fill a large pan with 450 ml boiling water. Put over a medium heat.
- 2.
Swirl the water and slowly pour in the polenta. Whisk for 3-4 mins till thickened. Add the rosemary and plenty of seasoning. Pour the polenta into the greased baking dish. Flatten the surface with the back of a spoon. Set aside to cool and set.
- 3.
Slice the aubergine into 12 rounds. Lay them on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Brush with ½ tbsp oil. Sprinkle with a little salt. Bake in the oven for 15 mins till the aubergine has softened.
- 4.
Cut the halloumi into 12 thin slices. The polenta should be set by now. Use a cookie cutter similar in size to the largest aubergine round to cut out 12 polenta circles. Alternatively, use a knife to cut the polenta into squares.
- 5.
Line a baking tray with foil. Place 6 rounds of polenta on the tray. Top each with an aubergine round, followed by a slice of halloumi. Repeat so you have a double layer of each. Bake for 20 mins till the halloumi is oozing and the polenta edges are crisp.
- 6.
Zest and juice the lemon. Deseed and finely chop the chilli. Peel and crush the garlic. Chuck them all into a food processor with the basil leaves and half the rocket. Add 1 tbsp oil and a little salt. Blitz to a purée. No food processor? Finely chop everything, then whisk in the lemon juice and oil.
- 7.
Drizzle the cooked stacks with the herby purée. Serve with the remaining rocket leaves.
- Tip
Mr Chips
Leftover polenta trimmings? Save them to make chips. Heat your oven to 190°C/Fan 170°C/Gas 5. Lay the trimmings on a baking tray, drizzle with oil and season. Bake in the oven for 20 mins till crisp.