How to make a quinoa ‘tabbouleh’ with asparagus, halloumi and kale

Quinoa ‘tabbouleh’ with asparagus, halloumi and kale

Prep: 10-15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes

Serves 4

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
½ 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

To serve (optional)

2 x 250g packs halloumi, cut into 1cm thick slices
1 tbsp olive oil

Add the quinoa to a small saucepan and pour over the hot stock. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid and cook for 15 minutes until the grains are tender and the stock absorbed.

Meanwhile, make the dressing: place the lemon juice, honey, garlic and mustard in a mixing bowl and whisk together. Slowly pour in the olive oil, whisking until you have a thick, creamy dressing. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Bring a large pan of lightly salted water to the boil and tip in the asparagus. Simmer for 2 minutes until just tender but with plenty of bite. Remove with a slotted spoon to a colander and allow to drain, then tip onto a plate and allow to cool.

Add the kale to the boiling water and cook for another 2 minutes then drain and rinse under cold running water to cool quickly. Drain well, ideally spinning dry in a salad spinner.

Add the kale to the bowl of dressing, along with the spring onions, parsley, radishes and blanched asparagus. Toss together lightly to mix.

Once the quinoa is cooked, fork through the grains to separate and tip into the salad, lightly mixing through. Spoon onto a serving plate and scatter over the pomegranate seeds before serving.

If you are serving with halloumi, heat a griddle pan until really hot. Brush the halloumi slices with a little oil and grill on both sides until lightly charred and crisp. You may need to cook in batches, depending how big your pan is.

For more recipes, visit enjoyasparagus.co.uk