Indulge in a refreshing and flavorful journey with this couscous and cucumber salad, a delightful combination of textures and tastes that will tantalize your palate. This vibrant salad features fluffy couscous, crisp cucumbers, zesty tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and a tangy dressing that brings it all together. It's a perfect side dish for grilled meats, fish, or roasted vegetables, and it also shines as a light and satisfying vegetarian main course. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal preparation, you can create this delicious and healthy salad that's perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or a quick and easy weeknight meal. Discover the culinary delight that awaits in this couscous and cucumber salad, and relish the vibrant flavors it offers.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
SALMON AND COUSCOUS SALAD WITH CUCUMBER-FETA DRESSING
The dressing in this 30-minute recipe is inspired by green goddess dressing and mast-o khiar, a Persian side dish of cucumbers and yogurt. Here, thick yogurt is combined with fresh herbs, tangy feta and crunchy Persian cucumbers. If you have trouble finding Persian cucumbers, they can be swapped for similarly sweet-skinned English cucumbers or peeled regular cucumbers. Flaking the salmon into the salad evenly distributes it and is a nice alternative to serving a fillet for dinner. Leftover salad can be enjoyed cold for lunch the next day, freshened up with a squeeze of lime juice and more fresh herbs.
Provided by Yasmin Fahr
Categories brunch, dinner, lunch, salads and dressings, seafood, main course
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat the oven to 400 degrees. In the center of a sheet pan, place salmon skin-side down. Pat the salmon dry, then coat with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season with salt, pepper, 1/2 teaspoon cumin and 1/2 teaspoon turmeric. Coat 1 of the lime halves in some of the olive oil in the pan, then place cut-side up in the corner.
- Roast the salmon on the center rack until opaque on the outside and light pink in the center, about 18 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
- While the salmon roasts, make the couscous: In a lidded pot over medium-high heat, toast the couscous, uncovered, stirring until fragrant, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add 3 cups water, season with salt, cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to maintain an active simmer, then cook until the couscous is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the couscous in a colander, then drizzle with olive oil, tossing to coat. Stir in the arugula, letting it wilt. Leave in the sink to cool slightly while you make the dressing.
- Prepare the dressing: In a serving bowl, combine the yogurt with 1/4 cup room temperature water and the zest and juice of 1 lime, then whisk until smooth. Add the remaining 1/2 teaspoon cumin, plus 1/4 cup feta, most of the herbs (reserving some for garnish) and the cucumber. Stir to combine, then season to taste with salt. Set aside.
- Add the cooked couscous and arugula to the yogurt mixture, tossing to combine. Remove the salmon from the skin, then flake with a fork. Add half the salmon to the couscous, mixing it together. Place the remaining salmon on top, squeeze the roasted lime half over the dish, then garnish with the scallions, remaining feta, parsley and mint. Quarter the remaining lime half and serve it on the side.
LEMON HERB CHICKEN WITH COUSCOUS AND CUCUMBER SALAD
Chicken breasts dressed with lemon and herbs are served with couscous and a bright cucumber feta salad in this weeknight dinner recipe.
Provided by Julie Hubert
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Chicken Chicken Breast Recipes Pasta
Time 46m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Bring chicken broth and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil in a saucepan. Stir in couscous. Remove from heat; cover and let stand until broth is absorbed, about 5 minutes. Uncover and fluff with a fork.
- Whisk 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup olive oil, lemon juice, rosemary, and oregano together in a bowl to make dressing.
- Place chicken breasts in a shallow dish. Drizzle 1/4 cup dressing on top. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts; cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a large plate. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
- Place 3 tablespoons dressing in a large bowl; stir in sugar. Add tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion; toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Add feta cheese and toss again.
- Drizzle remaining dressing over couscous and fold in olives. Divide couscous among 4 plates. Slice chicken breasts and place on top. Serve tomato salad on the side. Sprinkle parsley over each plate.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 810.2 calories, Carbohydrate 68.4 g, Cholesterol 84.3 mg, Fat 42.2 g, Fiber 5.8 g, Protein 37.8 g, SaturatedFat 8.5 g, Sodium 1566.8 mg, Sugar 7.2 g
COUSCOUS AND CUCUMBER SALAD
Encourage guests to squeeze the juice from the lemon wedges on to the salad.
Provided by KRISTAB
Categories Salad Vegetable Salad Recipes Cucumber Salad Recipes
Time 1h20m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a medium saucepan, bring 1 3/4 cup water to a boil. Stir in couscous; cover. Remove from heat; let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
- Meanwhile, in a medium bowl combine oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Stir in cucumber, green onion, parsley, basil and couscous. Mix well and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Line a plate with lettuce leaves. Spoon couscous mixture over leaves and garnish with lemon wedges.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 142.1 calories, Carbohydrate 24.6 g, Fat 3.6 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 4 g, SaturatedFat 0.5 g, Sodium 227.2 mg, Sugar 1.2 g
CUCUMBER AND ISRAELI COUSCOUS SALAD
I love this tabbouleh-like mixture because of all the herbs and refreshing flavors, and also because of the nice contrast in textures. Make sure that you cook the couscous until the spheres are tender but not gummy. I have seen package directions that call for too little water; make sure you cook them in twice their volume of water.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories easy, quick, salads and dressings, side dish
Time 30m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Heat one tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat in a medium saucepan and add the couscous. Stir until the couscous begins to color and smell toasty, 4 to 5 minutes. Add 2 cups water and salt to taste and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer 15 minutes, or until the couscous is tender. Drain if any liquid remains in the pan.
- Transfer the couscous to a large bowl and toss with the lemon juice, parsley, mint, tomatoes, cucumbers, scallions or chives and salt to taste. Add the olive oil, toss together, taste and adjust seasonings. Serve with lettuce leaves.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 174, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 24 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 5 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 424 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams
ISRAELI COUSCOUS SALAD WITH ASPARAGUS, CUCUMBER AND OLIVES
From Bon Appetit, June 2006. I discovered Israeli couscous at a restaurant over a year ago and set out to find it to try in standard couscous recipes. (Believe it or not I found Israeli couscous for sale at Safeway grocery store by sheer accident!) Quite thrilled to find this recipe very recently!
Provided by COOKGIRl
Categories Cheese
Time 1h10m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- In a small non-reactive bowl combine the garlic, lemon juice and Dijon mustard. Whisk in the oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside.
- Bring the broth to a boil in a medium sauce pan. Stir in the couscous. Cover pan, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the couscous is tender and all the broth is absorbed, approximately 10 minutes.
- Transfer the couscous to a serving bowl, sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Cool the couscous to room temperature.
- Once cooled, stir in the blanched asparagus, cucumber, olives, green onions, and 1/4 cup mint leaves. Add the dressing and toss to coat. Gently mix in the feta cheese.
- Garnish with mint sprigs.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 384.4, Fat 20.9, SaturatedFat 6.3, Cholesterol 25, Sodium 395.5, Carbohydrate 39.1, Fiber 3.7, Sugar 2.5, Protein 11.1
ISRAELI COUSCOUS, ASPARAGUS, CUCUMBER AND OLIVE SALAD
Steps:
- Press garlic clove into small bowl. Add lemon juice and mustard; whisk in oil. Season dressing with salt and pepper. Bring broth to boil in heavy medium saucepan. Mix in couscous. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until couscous is tender and all broth is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Transfer couscous to large bowl; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cool to room temperature, tossing occasionally, about 45 minutes. Mix asparagus, cucumber, oliver, green onions, and 1/4 cup mint leaves into couscous. Add dressing; toss. Gently mix in cheese. Garnish with mint sprigs and serve.
COUSCOUS AND CRAB SALAD WITH CUCUMBER JUICE AND MINT
Provided by Molly O'Neill
Categories quick, salads and dressings, side dish
Time 10m
Yield Four servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Place 3/4 cup of the cucumber juice in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the couscous, cover and remove from heat. Let stand for 5 minutes. Uncover and stir with a fork. Place in a bowl and set aside to cool.
- Add the crab meat, cherry tomatoes, onion, mint and lemon and lime rinds and toss to coat. Toss in the remaining cucumber juice. Season with the salt and pepper. Divide among 4 plates and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 158, UnsaturatedFat 0 grams, Carbohydrate 22 grams, Fat 1 gram, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 16 grams, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Sodium 413 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams, TransFat 0 grams
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
- If you don't have any fresh herbs on hand, you can use dried herbs instead. Just use about 1/3 of the amount called for in the recipe.
- If you want a more flavorful salad, you can add some grilled or roasted vegetables, such as zucchini, eggplant, or bell peppers.
- This salad is also a great way to use up leftover chicken or fish.
- For a vegan version of this salad, you can omit the chicken or fish and add some extra vegetables, such as chickpeas or lentils.
Conclusion:
This couscous and cucumber salad is a refreshing and flavorful side dish that is perfect for summer gatherings. It is also a healthy and easy-to-make dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. So next time you are looking for a light and refreshing salad, give this couscous and cucumber salad a try. You won't be disappointed!
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