IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR WHEN YOU MIGHT WANT MORE HEARTY, COMFORTING MEALS. CURL UP WITH THESE THREE APPETISING DISHES, ALL INCLUDING ASPARAGUS, WHICH BOOSTS YOUR MOOD AND SUPPORTS RECOVERY. THAT’S WINTER SORTED THEN…

QUINOA TABBOULEH WITH ASPARAGUS, HALLOUMI AND KALE

Asparagus is a plant-based source of tryptophan, which can create serotonin, one of the brain’s mood enhancing neurotransmitters, advises Daniel O’Shaughnessy, aka the Naked Nutritionist.

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 10-15 minutes

Cooking time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

For the tabbouleh:

• 200g quinoa

• 350ml hot vegetable stock

• 2 bunches asparagus, trimmed and sliced into bite-sized pieces

• 200g kale, torn into bite-sized pieces

• 1/2 bunch spring onions, finely sliced

• 1 large bunch flatleaf parsley, chopped

• a handful of radishes, trimmed and thinly sliced

• 200g pack pomegranate seeds

For the dressing:

• juice of 1 lemon

• 1 tbsp runny honey

• 1 clove garlic, crushed

• 1 tsp dijon mustard

• 6 tbsp olive oil

• salt and freshly ground black pepper