Tabouli

Photography by John Paul Urizar

Let your belly dance to the fresh flavours of the Middle East for an easy and nutritious dinner party at home.

Ingredients (serves 8)

• 1/3 cup burghul (cracked wheat)
• 2 large tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 4 cups chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves (see note)
• 1 cup chopped fresh mint leaves (see note)
• 4 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Method

1. Place burghul, tomato and lemon juice in a bowl. Stand, covered, for 30 minutes or until burghul has softened.

2. Add parsley, mint, onion and oil to burghul mixture. Stir to combine. Serve.

Notes

Tip: Tabouli is best made as close to serving time as possible. You will need 2 large bunches parsley and 1 bunch mint. You can find burghul in the health food section of the supermarket.

Coconut chickpea curry

Photography by Steve Brown

On the table in just 15 minutes, this budget-busting Indian-inspired dish is delicious finished with a squeeze of fresh lime.

Cooking Time

15 minutes

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 375g dried flat rice noodles
• 2 tbs olive oil
• 1 brown onion, coarsely chopped
• 1 1/2 tbs grated fresh ginger
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 3 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 2 x 400g cans chickpeas, rinsed, drained
• 400ml can light coconut cream
• 270ml can light coconut milk
• 1 tsp vegetable or chicken stock powder (see note)
• Fresh coriander sprigs, to serve

Method

1. Cook the noodles in a large saucepan of boiling water for 2 minutes or until tender. Drain.

2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes or until just tender. Add the ginger, garlic, cumin, ground coriander and turmeric. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until aromatic. Add the chickpeas and stir to coat. Add the coconut cream, coconut milk and stock powder. Simmer for 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly.

3. Divide the noodles among serving bowls. Top with the chickpea mixture and fresh coriander.

Notes

Use gluten-free stock to make this gluten free.

With a twist: coconut fish curry Replace noodles with steamed rice. Replace the chickpeas with 500g white fish fillets, cut into 2cm pieces.

Vegetable curry: Replace 1 can of chickpeas with 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables. Serve with cooked brown rice.