Great for the summer, pack up in your lunch box and finish with a crunchy apple and a smoothie - 4 of your 5 a day in one hit.

Preparation time: 10 minutes plus cooling   Quantity: 2 mains or 4 side dishes  

Ingredients

120 g / 4 oz cous cous
280 ml / 1/2 pint / 5 fl oz boiling water
1/2 red pepper – small diced
6 – 8 dried apricots – small chopped
60 g / 2 oz mango or pineapple - small diced
30 g / 1 oz raisins
30 g / 1 oz pinenuts (toasted are better)
1 small red onion - small diced
3 tablespoons parsley or other soft herbs

Dressing -
4 tablespoons virgin olive oil
1 fresh lime juice

Method

  • Place the cous cous in a heat proof bowl
  • Pour over the boiling water
  • Leave for 5 minutes
  • Stir a few times until cooled
  • Mix in all the remaining ingredients except the dressing
  • Stir in the olive oil and lime
  • Season to taste and serve