I know there are a few more than eight ingredients in the Ottolenghi-inspired fritters but they are super worth it!  Most of the other elements are based around store-bought options, such as the crackers, hummus, pickles and turkish delight, making this a super easy and achievable lunch to recreate at home.

INGREDIENTS

For the cauliflower fritters

Small cauliflower, cut into little florets

1/2  cup plain flour

1/2 cup chickpea flour

3 tablespoons finely chopped parsley, plus whole leaves for garnish

2 shallots, finely chopped (approx 1/4 cup)

1 garlic clove, minced

4 large eggs, preferably organic

1.5 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

1.5 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

2 cups sunflower oil, for frying

For the lime sauce

1/3 cups plain full-fat Greek yogurt

2 tablespoons finely chopped coriander

1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Salt and freshly ground pepper

For the herb salad

1 cup coriander

1 cup parsley

1/2 cup mint

1/2 cup Dill 1/2 cup snow peas sliced finely and blanched

2 tablespoon pine nuts

1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

A sprinkle of dukkah 1 tablespoon of chilli flakes
(add more if you like it hot)

Method

For the cauliflower fritters

Add the cauliflower to a saucepan of salted boiling water. Simmer until very soft, this usually takes 10-15 minutes. Put the flour, chopped parsley, shallots, garlic, eggs, cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, salt and pepper in a bowl and whisk to make a smooth batter. Add the warm cauliflower. Mix, smashing the cauliflower into the batter with the back of a wooden spoon. In a fry pan, heat 2/3 inch of oil over high heat until very hot. Working in batches, spoon in the cauliflower mixture, allowing three tablespoons per fritter. Fry in small batches, adjusting the heat so the fritters cook but don’t burn. They should take 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Drain the fritters well on paper towels.

For the lime sauce

To make the lime sauce put all of the ingredients in a bowl and whisk well. I like it with lots of lime and coriander, don’t be shy here because the yoghurt is powerful! Serve this lime sauce with your fritters and garnish with fresh parsley.

For the herb salad

Mix all the herbs and snowpeas and dress with lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper. Toss through the sesame seeds, chilli flakes and sprinkle dukkah over the top.

For the side snacks

For this Middle Eastern inspired lunch box I like to mix in some fun snacks, including pink pickled turnips, some dip and flat bread crisps. These particular turnips are available from Cedars Bakery in Preston, but you can find similar in any Middle Eastern grocer. I paired these with these amazing beetroot and hazelnut and zucchini and almonds crackers from Terra Madre, and your favourite hummus.

For the sweets

Turkish Delight (my preference is the Greg Malouf Rosewater available at Curds and Whey at the Queen Victoria Market) Ricotta (preferred brand is Alba – available at Curds and Whey) Granny smith apple sliced as discs Honey And what better way to get through the 3.00pm slump then with a delicious and almost healthy sweet treat (omit the turkish delight if you’re watching your sugar intake). This little snack is also inspired by the exotic flavours of the Middle East. Slice the apple in discs removing any pips. Layer it up with ricotta and drizzle it with honey. Add a pinch of cinnamon and finish with the Turkish delight. A super delicious combo!

Middle Eastern Lunch. Incorporating cauliflower fritters, herb salad, hummus with store-bought veggie crackers, and a ricotta / apple / turkish delight combo drizzled in honey for dessert. Dip dish – Hay tray from CULT. Surface – Porcelain tile from Ital Ceramics. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins/The Design Files.

Herb salad components. Large timber dish from Muji. Surfaces – both porcelain tiles from Ital Ceramics. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins/The Design Files.

Dessert components. KAKUDO dish – Mr Kitly. Surface – Porcelain tile from Ital Ceramics. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins/The Design Files.

Middle Eastern Lunch ready to go! Timber circular lunchbox – Mr Kitly. Anodised aluminium cup – vintage. Surface – Porcelain tile from Ital Ceramics. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins/The Design Files.