Couscous salad recipes

By Catalogs Editorial Staff

Couscous salad recipes make good use of couscous, an unusual and simple grain

Healthy, tasty and satisfying aren’t words that usually go together. However, when you eat a couscous salad, the combination of these characteristics happens.

Couscous is a healthy grain that is versatile and delicious. Couscous salad can be eaten on its own, or served with other food, such as chicken or fish. Knowing a few couscous salad recipes can give you an easy and fun side dish go-to.

Couscous Preparation

The best way to prepare healthy and tasty couscous is to follow the directions on the box. Each type of couscous can require different preparation. Adhering to the company’s recommended suggestions can make your couscous as delicious as possible.

However, to add additional flavor to your couscous, use chicken or vegetable broth instead of water. Doing so makes the couscous just that more delicious. To make your couscous a bit more healthy, select the wheat variety. And as a rule of thumb, 1/3 of dry couscous makes about 1 cup of prepared couscous.

Veggie Couscous Salad

To make this flavorful and healthy dish, pour 2 cups of prepared wheat couscous into a bowl. Add 1 cup each of diced cucumber and tomato, 1 cup of canned and drained garbanzo beans, ® cup of chopped red onion and 1/3 cup of chopped mint. Mix all of the ingredients together until they are well blended.

Now whisk together 1 tbsp. of olive oil and the juice of two lemons. Pour this light and flavorful dressing over the salad and mix it together well. Cover the salad and place it in the refrigerator for at least two hours, so that the flavors can blend together.

Curried Couscous Salad

If you’re a fan of spicy and sweet, you’re sure to love this couscous treat. This salad brings the heat with curry, then complements the spice with tangy and sweet dried cranberries.

To make this salad, pour 1 box of instant couscous into a heat-proof pot, along with ? cup of dried and sweetened cranberries, 1 tbsp. of curry powder and 1 tsp. each of sugar and salt. Mix them together, then pour boiling water or chicken broth over the couscous according to the box directions, along with the juice of half of an orange. Stir everything together, then place a lid on the pot for five minutes. During this time, give the couscous a few stirs.

Fluff the couscous with a fork when it is done, then add 2 tbsp. of chopped parsley, along with the juice of half of a lemon. Then add three to four sliced scallions, 3/4 cup of toasted and chopped walnuts and 2 to 3 tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil. Stir, then cover and place it in the fridge for at least two hours. The salad will be flavorful, spicy, sweet and ready to enjoy. This salad is a quick treat for a picnic, light lunch or a side dish for chicken or pork.

Couscous salad recipes are easy to make and even easier to enjoy. Couscous is super versatile and can be mixed with just about any ingredient. Get creative and use your imagination when you work with couscous and you’ll come up with dishes that are original and oh-so-delicious.

Resources:

About.com: Couscous Salad

Food.com: Curried Couscous Salad With Dried Sweet Cranberries