Best 3 Cucumber And Israeli Couscous Salad Recipes

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**Introduction**:

Indulge in a refreshing and vibrant culinary journey with our cucumber and Israeli couscous salad. This delightful dish combines the crispness of cucumber with the fluffy texture of Israeli couscous, resulting in a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. Embark on a culinary adventure as we delve into the world of this delectable salad, exploring its variations, including a refreshing mint and lemon dressing, a zesty tahini sauce, and a tangy yogurt dressing. Each recipe offers a unique twist on the classic salad, catering to diverse palates and preferences. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a novice cook, this article will guide you through the process of creating this flavorful and versatile dish, transporting you to the vibrant streets of the Middle East with every bite.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

CUCUMBER AND ISRAELI COUSCOUS SALAD



Cucumber and Israeli Couscous Salad image

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

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup Israeli couscous
6 to 8 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, to taste
3 cups chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (from 3 large bunches)
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
1/2 pound ripe tomatoes, very finely chopped
3/4 pound cucumbers (1 European or 4 Persian), seeded if using regular cucumbers, cut in fine dice
1 bunch scallions, finely chopped, or 1/4 cup chopped chives
Salt to taste
1 romaine lettuce heart, leaves separated, washed and dried

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



Israeli Couscous Salad With Asparagus, Cucumber and Olives image

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

1 garlic clove, peeled and finely minced
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
2 1/2 cups vegetable broth (homemade is best) or 2 1/2 cups chicken broth (homemade is best)
2 cups israeli couscous, toasted
2 cups asparagus spears, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, blanched
2 cups English cucumbers, seeded, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 cup kalamata olive, pitted, cut in half
2 large green onions, chopped
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves (plus a few sprigs for garnish-*NOT* dried mint!)
1 1/2 cups feta cheese, crumbled

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



ISRAELI COUSCOUS, ASPARAGUS, CUCUMBER AND OLIVE SALAD image

Categories     Salad     Vegetarian

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 garlic clove
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2-1/2 cups low salt chicken broth or stock
2 cups toasted Israeli couscous (couscous grande - instructions for toasting are on package)
2 cups 1/2-inch pieces thin asparagus spears, blanched 2 minutes
2 cups 1/2-inch cubes seeded English hothouse cucumber
1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives, halved
2 large green onions
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves plus sprigs for garnish
1-1/2 cups coursely crumbled feta cheese (about 7 ounces)

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.

Tips:

  • For the best flavor, use fresh, ripe cucumbers. English cucumbers are a good choice because they have fewer seeds and a thinner skin.
  • If you don't have Israeli couscous, you can use regular couscous or quinoa.
  • To make the salad ahead of time, cook the couscous and vegetables according to the recipe instructions. Let them cool completely, then store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you're ready to serve, combine the couscous, vegetables, and dressing in a large bowl and toss to coat.
  • This salad is a great way to use up leftover vegetables. Feel free to add any vegetables you have on hand, such as tomatoes, bell peppers, or zucchini.
  • For a vegan version of this salad, omit the feta cheese.

Conclusion:

This cucumber and Israeli couscous salad is a refreshing and flavorful side dish that is perfect for summer gatherings. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. So next time you are looking for a healthy and delicious salad, give this recipe a try!

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