How to make a Tenderstem, carrot and bulgur wheat salad

This dish is ideal to make ahead and enjoy as a packed lunch

Tenderstem broccoli, carrot and bulgur wheat salad

If you make this the night before it is needed, the flavours will improve, as the dressing is absorbed into the vegetables and wheat.

150g bulgur wheat
1l boiling water or vegetable or chicken stock
200g tenderstem
1.5 tsp cumin seeds
50g flaked almonds
2 carrots, peeled and coarsely grated
1 small red onion, finely sliced
75g dried apricots, quartered
Juice of half a lemon
6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Small bunch of mint, finely chopped (optional)

Place the bulgur wheat in a large bowl and pour over the boiling water or stock. Stir and leave for about 30 minutes, for the bulgur wheat to absorb enough of the stock to make it tender. Drain well, and leave to cool.

To prepare the broccoli, place in a steamer over boiling water, and steam for just a few minutes until it is tender. Leave to cool before cutting each piece into three.

Heat a small frying pan and lightly toast the cumin seeds. Remove from the pan then lightly toast the almonds.

Once the bulgur wheat is cool, add the broccoli, cumin seeds, almonds, carrots, red onion, apricots, lemon juice, olive oil and mint (if using).

Season with salt and pepper then toss everything together until well combined.

Variations: you can also make this with couscous, rice or quinoa. Cooked prawns or chicken make a nice addition.

For more recipes, visit tenderstem.co.uk