There are so many sweet treats and bakes you can make with dried fruits, from flapjacks and pressed bars to Christmas cake and Garibaldi biscuits. However, did you know you could also enjoy the benefit of dried fruits in savoury dishes too?

• Lamb and apricot tagine

Moroccan meals have included dried fruits since the dawn of time, and one dish that really incorporates the best of North African ingredients is the River Cottage lamb and apricot tagine. 

The apricots are stewed with a shoulder of lamb, an abundance of spices, tomatoes, onions, garlic, lemon zest, and honey for two hours to make a thick sauce packed with flavour. 

• Moroccan cauliflower salad

Dried fruit doesn’t just go well with slow-cooked meat, however, as this vegetarian recipe of Moroccan cauliflower salad with dates tastes scrumptious. 

Olive Magazine’s recipe involves baking cauliflower florets with some oil, ras el hanout and seasoning for 30 minutes. Then you just need to mix it with cooked onion and garlic, red chilli, dried cranberries, flat leaf parsley, raisins, dates, chopped mint, pine nuts, walnuts, and pomegranate seeds for a really delicious healthy salad. Finish with a dressing of tahini, natural yoghurt, lemon juice and turmeric.

• Sweet potato salad with bacon, walnuts and date-lime vinaigrette 

Another healthy dish that is made with dates is this sweet potato salad, which also includes bacon, walnuts, parsley, paprika, lime juice, balsamic vinegar, garlic, olive oil, and, of course, sweet potatoes. 

The dish is brought to life with the vinaigrette, which is made by blending soaked dates, lime juice and zest, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt, and oil in a food processer. 

Buy bulk dried fruits and nuts online here.