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This is the perfect accompaniment to a creamy curry or tagine, or as a barbecue side salad. Packed with dried fruit, toasted nuts, green herbs, citrus and pomegranate seeds, this has all of the flavours of Western Asia and the beautiful colours make an elegant and stunning dish on the table. Although quite a hefty list of ingredients, there aren't many steps as it is pretty much just a case of combining everything together.

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Recipe

250g couscous
1 red onion (100g), thinly sliced
2 large garlic cloves (12g), crushed
1.5 tsp citrus zest (lemon or lime or a combination of both)
1 tbsp lemon juice
2.5 tbsp orange juice
1.25 tsp toasted cumin seeds
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp ground black pepper
¼ tsp cinnamon
100g dried fruit (raisins, chopped apricots, chopped figs or a mix of 3)
30g roughly chopped fresh herbs (coriander, parsley, mint or a mix of 3)
80g pomegranate seeds
150g toasted nuts (flaked almonds and pistachios or a mix of both)

Directions

Mix all of the ingredients from the red onion through to the pomegranate seeds together and let sit in a bowl for as long as possible, preferably overnight. This will allow the red onion to soften and the dried fruit to plump up in the citrus juices.
Cook the couscous according to packet instructions, usually by soaking in hot water for about 10 minutes, until all the water has been absorbed.
Mix the couscous and the nuts into the rest of the ingredients. I find that mixing by hand is easiest. Serve at room temperature.

Recipe by CAMYOGA Chef Alice Kabala

Energy balls seem to be cropping up everywhere, from health food stores to yoga studios. They make a great raw, vegan alternative to sugar-packed cereal bars and other unhealthy snacks. Often they contain lots of protein and healthy fats too! Did you know that once you have the ingredients (which are readily available from shops such as Arjuna on Mill Road) these are a piece of cake to make? All that's required is a food processor. Here's one simple version to get you started, but the possibilities are endless - try experimenting with coconut, spirulina, dried cranberries and cashews. Let us know your favourite energy ball combination using the comments section below!

1 cup dates, pitted

1 cup almonds

1/2 cup walnuts

2 tbsp chia seeds

1 tbsp sunflower seeds

1 tbsp cinnamon

1 tsp ground ginger

1 tbsp coconut oil

1 tbsp raw cacao powder

1 tbsp hemp protein powder

1 tbsp water

extra cacao powder for dusting

Method

1) Blend the nuts and seeds in a food processor until almost flour-like. This could take up to a minute depending on the power of your blender. Add the remaining ingredients and continue to blend.

2) Roll the mixture into little balls. Place the remaining cacao into a dish and roll each ball in this until coated.

3) Place the balls on a sheet of non-stick baking parchment and place in the fridge until chilled.