Embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant shores of the Mediterranean with this tantalizing couscous salad. Bursting with the flavors of the sun-kissed region, this dish is a symphony of textures and tastes. Tender couscous forms the base, while a medley of colorful bell peppers, juicy tomatoes, and briny olives adds a symphony of colors. Toasted pine nuts lend a nutty crunch, while fresh parsley and mint provide a refreshing herbal touch. Drizzled with a tangy lemon-tahini dressing, this salad is a delightful balance of tangy, savory, and refreshing notes. It's a perfect accompaniment to grilled meats, fish, or as a standalone vegetarian main course. Ready in just 30 minutes, this couscous salad is a quick and easy meal that's sure to become a favorite.
This article offers two variations to cater to different dietary preferences. For those seeking a vegan delight, the classic tahini dressing is transformed into a creamy avocado-tahini sauce, adding a luscious richness to the salad. Additionally, a gluten-free option is available, using quinoa instead of couscous as the base. Both variations retain the vibrant flavors of the original recipe, ensuring that everyone can savor this Mediterranean gem.
COUSCOUS WITH OLIVES AND SUN-DRIED TOMATO
A delicate, flavorful dish that will satisfy vegans and carnivores alike! Inspired by my family's deep Coptic Orthodox Christian tradition, this is a great meal alternative during strict fasting times. It contains no animal products or fats, but has enough flavor and visual impact to make you feel like you're not sacrificing a thing! I hope you will enjoy this recipe. Add chicken or prawns to make this vegan dish a carnivorous delight!
Provided by Erin C. David
Categories World Cuisine Recipes African North African Egyptian
Time 50m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Bring 1 1/4 cup vegetable broth and water to a boil in a saucepan, stir in couscous, and mix in salt and black pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer until liquid is absorbed, about 8 minutes.
- Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat; stir in pine nuts and cook, stirring frequently, until pine nuts smell toasted and are golden brown, about 1 minute. Remove from heat.
- Heat remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a saucepan; cook and stir garlic and shallot in the hot oil until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir black olives and sun-dried tomatoes into garlic mixture and cook until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often. Slowly pour in 1 cup vegetable broth and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until sauce has reduced, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Transfer couscous to a large serving bowl, mix with sauce, and serve topped with parsley and pine nuts.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 527.7 calories, Carbohydrate 55.5 g, Fat 29.3 g, Fiber 5.4 g, Protein 13 g, SaturatedFat 4.1 g, Sodium 455.1 mg, Sugar 2.9 g
COUSCOUS WITH PINE NUTS AND MINT
Steps:
- Heat the oil and butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook over medium-low heat for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender but not browned. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Stir in the couscous, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and remove from the heat. Cover the pot tightly and allow the couscous to steam for 10 minutes. Fluff the couscous with a fork and stir in the mint and pine nuts. Taste for seasonings and add about 1 teaspoon salt, depending on the saltiness of the stock, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Serve hot.
COUSCOUS SALAD
Steps:
- In a saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a boil.
- Place the couscous in a large, heatproof bowl. Stir in the salt and the cinnamon. Pour the boiling stock over the couscous mixture, cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Remove cover, fluff couscous and allow to cool completely.
- In a large bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice and zest, red onion, cucumber, bell pepper, and green onions. Add the cooled couscous and toss until well blended. Stir in the cilantro leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
COUSCOUS WITH PINE NUTS, CORIANDER & RAISINS
Try this superhealthy accompaniment alongside lamb chops for a tasty meal to serve a crowd
Provided by Good Food team
Categories Buffet, Dinner, Lunch, Side dish, Snack, Supper, Vegetable
Time 10m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Put the couscous in a medium-sized bowl, pour over the stock, cover with cling film, and leave to stand for 5 mins. Meanwhile, toast the pine nuts in a dry pan for a few mins, until pale golden.
- Fluff up the couscous with a fork, add all the remaining ingredients and mix well to combine.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 366 calories, Fat 17 grams fat, SaturatedFat 2 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 50 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 18 grams sugar, Fiber 2 grams fiber, Protein 8 grams protein, Sodium 0.28 milligram of sodium
COUSCOUS SALAD WITH CURRANTS, PINE NUTS, AND CELERY
Steps:
- In a large skillet melt the butter with the saffron over moderate heat, stirring, add the stock, and bring the liquid to a boil. Stir in the couscous, cover the skillet, and remove it from the heat. Let the mixture stand for 4 minutes and transfer it to a ceramic or glass bowl, breaking up any lumps with a fork.
- Add the celery, the currants, the scallions, the pine nuts, and the parsley and toss the mixture to combine it. In a small bowl whisk together the lemon juice and the cinnamon, add the oil in a slow stream, whisking, and whisk the dressing until it is emulsified. Drizzle the dressing over the salad, toss the salad, and season it with salt and pepper.
- Do Ahead
- The salad may be made a day ahead and kept covered and chilled. Transfer the salad to a portable container.
EASY COUSCOUS SALAD
This past summer was very hot and this salad fitted perfectly. Not too heavy, yet filling and above all, easy to make.
Provided by Chef Dudo
Categories Grains
Time 20m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Bring stock to a boil in a heavy saucepan.
- Stir in couscous.
- Cover pan, remove from heat and set aside 15 minutes Combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, mustard and lemon zest in a small bowl.
- Mix well.
- Transfer couscous to a large bowl.
- Fluff with a fork.
- Add tomatoes, red bell pepper, celery, cucumber, scallions and parsley to bowl with cooked couscous.
- Mix gently.
- Pour dressing over mixture and mix again.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Can be served luke-warm or chilled.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 206.1, Fat 4.4, SaturatedFat 0.7, Sodium 253.5, Carbohydrate 34.2, Fiber 3.8, Sugar 5.9, Protein 7
MEDITERRANEAN STUFFED PEPPERS
Serve these vibrant stuffed peppers to veggie dinner party guests, then keep any leftovers for lunch the next day
Provided by Good Food team
Categories Dinner, Main course
Time 40m
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Pop the peppers on a plate and microwave on Medium for 5 mins, until almost soft. Place on a baking tray, cut-side up.
- Meanwhile, place the couscous in a bowl and cover with 125ml boiling water. Stir, cover the bowl and leave to stand for 10 mins. Stir the couscous with a fork to break it up, then mix in the pine nuts, olives, feta, tomatoes and basil. Pile the couscous stuffing into the pepper halves and bake for 10 mins.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 321 calories, Fat 15 grams fat, SaturatedFat 4 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 37 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 13 grams sugar, Fiber 4 grams fiber, Protein 11 grams protein, Sodium 1.4 milligram of sodium
COUSCOUS SALAD WITH PEPPERS, OLIVES, AND PINE NUTS
Categories Fruit Nut Olive Pepper Side Vegetarian Low Cal Pine Nut Summer Gourmet Vegan Pescatarian Dairy Free Peanut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Serves 6 to 8 as a side dish
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a small saucepan bring water to a boil with currants or raisins, salt, and 1 tablespoon oil. Stir in couscous and let stand, covered, off heat 5 minutes. Fluff couscous with a fork and transfer to bowl.
- In a small skillet cook garlic in 2 tablespoons oil over moderate heat, stirring, until pale golden. Add onion and cook, stirring, until softened. Stir onion mixture into couscous with vinegar, bell peppers, olives, capers, pine nuts, parsley, remaining 1 tablespoon oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Salad may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring salad to room temperature before serving.
- To roast peppers:
- Using a long-handled fork, char peppers over an open flame, turning, until skins are blackened, 2 to 3 minutes. (Or broil peppers on rack of a broiler pan under a preheated broiler about 2 inches from heat, turning every 5 minutes, until skins are blistered and charred, 15 to 25 minutes.) Transfer peppers to a bowl and let stand, covered, until cool enough to handle. Keeping peppers whole, peel them, starting at blossom end. Cut off tops and discard seeds and ribs.
Tips:
- Choose the right couscous. There are two main types of couscous: Moroccan and Israeli. Moroccan couscous is smaller and cooks quickly, while Israeli couscous is larger and has a chewier texture. For this recipe, either type of couscous can be used.
- Toast the pine nuts. Toasting the pine nuts will bring out their flavor and make them more fragrant. This can be done in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the pine nuts are golden brown.
- Use fresh vegetables. Fresh vegetables will give the salad the best flavor and texture. If you can, try to use organic vegetables whenever possible.
- Don't overcook the couscous. Couscous only takes a few minutes to cook. If it is overcooked, it will become mushy and lose its texture.
- Let the salad cool before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld and the salad to firm up.
Conclusion:
This couscous salad is a delicious and healthy side dish that is perfect for summer picnics and potlucks. It is also a great way to use up leftover vegetables. With its colorful vegetables, nutty pine nuts, and tangy dressing, this salad is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.
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