**Pearl Couscous Salad with Cucumber and Mint: A Refreshing and Flavorful Summer Delight**
As the sun shines brightly and the days grow longer, it's time to embrace the vibrant flavors of summer with a refreshing and delectable dish. Introducing Pearl Couscous Salad with Cucumber and Mint, a culinary symphony that tantalizes taste buds with its harmonious blend of textures and flavors. This delightful salad combines the delightful chewiness of pearly couscous, the crisp crunch of refreshing cucumber, and the aromatic freshness of fragrant mint. With its vibrant colors and zesty dressing, this salad is not only a feast for the palate but also a visual masterpiece that will brighten up any summer gathering.
In this article, you'll find not just one, but two tantalizing recipes featuring this irresistible pearl couscous salad. The first recipe presents a classic rendition, where the interplay of simple ingredients shines through. Tangy lemon juice and zesty lime juice dance together, creating a vibrant dressing that complements the mild flavor of couscous and the crispness of cucumber. Freshly chopped mint adds a burst of invigorating flavor, while a sprinkle of feta cheese lends a touch of salty creaminess.
For those seeking a more adventurous culinary journey, the second recipe introduces a delightful twist. Roasted red peppers bring a smoky sweetness to the salad, while sun-dried tomatoes add a tangy depth of flavor. The dressing, infused with the aromatic flavors of cumin and coriander, elevates this dish to a whole new level of culinary artistry.
Whether you prefer the classic simplicity of the first recipe or the vibrant complexity of the second, this pearl couscous salad is sure to become a summertime favorite. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and embark on a culinary adventure that promises to tantalize and refresh with every bite.
ISRAELI COUSCOUS SALAD
Steps:
- Bring 1 1/4 cups water to a boil in a medium (2-quart) saucepan. Add the couscous, return to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to a simmer. Let cook until the liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
- In the bottom of a large bowl, whisk together the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Taste and add additional seasoning as desired. While the couscous is still warm, add it to the bowl and toss to coat. Place in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes to allow the couscous to cool.
- When ready to serve, add the remaining ingredients: arugula, cucumber, tomatoes, feta, and mint. Toss to combine. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 (of 4), Calories 319 kcal, Carbohydrate 42 g, Fat 13 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Cholesterol 5 mg, Fiber 13 g
COUSCOUS SALAD WITH TOMATOES AND MINT
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories side-dish
Time 20m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Toss the tomatoes, cucumbers, and lemon juice in a bowl with 2 teaspoons of the salt. Set aside.
- Put the couscous into a large bowl. Bring the water, lemon zest, 3 tablespoons of the oil, the remaining salt, cayenne, and herb stems to a boil over high heat. Pour the liquid over the couscous, stir to separate any clumps. Cover with a lid, plate, or plastic wrap, set aside for 5 minutes. Remove the zest and herb stems and fluff with a fork.
- Add the tomato mixture, scallions, mint, parsley, and pine nuts. Drizzle the remaining oil over the salad, toss and serve.
- Copyright 2003 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved
PEARL COUSCOUS SALAD
This is a take-off of a pricey deli salad that my family loves. Using ingredients at home, it is much more affordable so we can enjoy it more often. Store salad in the fridge, covered, for up to a week.
Provided by Susan
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes
Time 8h50m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir couscous in the hot oil until toasted and fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Add 2 1/2 cups water to couscous and bring to a boil; cover skillet and cook until couscous is tender, about 10 minutes. Rinse couscous in a colander with cold water and transfer to a bowl. Mix 1/4 cup olive oil into couscous and stir to coat.
- Place lentils in a small pan and cover with water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until lentils are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and rinse lentils under cold water in a colander; add to couscous.
- Mix tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, cranberries, raisins, red onion, chives, parsley, green onion, and sumac into couscous-lentil mixture.
- Beat 1/4 cup olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper together in a bowl; pour over couscous-lentil mixture and stir until coated. Refrigerate salad for flavors to blend, 8 hours to overnight.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 560.3 calories, Carbohydrate 82.2 g, Fat 21 g, Fiber 9.9 g, Protein 12.7 g, SaturatedFat 2.9 g, Sodium 42.8 mg, Sugar 22 g
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.
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
Tips:
- For a more flavorful salad, consider toasting the pearl couscous before cooking it.
- To save time, use pre-cooked pearl couscous or quinoa.
- If you don't have fresh mint, use 1 teaspoon of dried mint.
- Feel free to add other vegetables to the salad, such as chopped tomatoes, bell peppers, or zucchini.
- For a vegan version of the salad, omit the feta cheese.
Conclusion:
This pearl couscous salad is a delicious and refreshing side dish that is perfect for summer gatherings. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. The combination of pearl couscous, cucumber, mint, and feta cheese is a winning one that is sure to please everyone at the table.
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