We have developed a passion for Middle Eastern flavours; the inviting, warm spices combined with deliciously fragrant beef, wrapped up in a flat bread with hummus and jewelled couscous. My mouth is watering just writing this.

This is surprisingly easy to cook but really impressive to serve. We love build-it-yourself dinners that lend themselves to slow eating and encourage conversation.

Serves 4

1.5 tsp ground coriander seeds
1/2 tsp ground cayenne pepper
1 tsp ground allspice
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 tsp ground cardamom

Low calorie cooking spray
50 g pine nuts
500g lean minced beef
2 tbsp tomato purée
3 tbsp finely chopped flat-leaf parsley (thick stalks removed), plus extra to garnish
5 mint leaves, finely sliced

200g Feta cheese, crumbled

Hummus – I use Sweet Potato Hummus (click for the recipe)

Easy Flat Breads (click here for the recipe)

Roasted Vegetable Couscous (click here for the recipe)


Mix the spices, grinding the seeds. Remove the cardamom husks

Spray a heavy bottomed pan with low calorie cooking spray and fry the onion until translucent. Add the beef and the spices and continue cooking, breaking up any chunks of meat, until the meat is fully cooked through.

Add the tomato purée and flat-leaf parsley and continue frying for another couple of minutes.

To assemble; lay a flatbread on the plate, spread with some of the hummus, add the beef and couscous and sprinkle over the crumbled feta and chopped mint. Either try and wrap the whole thing up or for the more genteel amongst you eat with a knife and fork. Alternatively pile your plate up and tear of pieces of flat bread and dip them into your plate.

However you eat this we’re sure you’ll love it