Best 3 Tuscan Couscous With Lemon Basil Dressing Recipes
Tuscan couscous is a vibrant and flavorful dish that captures the essence of Mediterranean cuisine. This delectable dish is a delightful blend of textures and tastes, featuring tender and fluffy couscous, crisp and refreshing vegetables, and a tangy lemon-basil dressing that elevates the flavors to new heights. The aromatic combination of lemon and basil adds a burst of freshness, while sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts contribute a delightful savory touch. This versatile dish can be served as a light lunch, a delectable side dish, or even as a hearty vegetarian main course. Additionally, the article provides variations of this recipe, including a vegan option and a version with roasted vegetables, allowing you to customize the dish to your dietary preferences and tastes.
Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!
OUR FAVORITE LEMON HERB COUSCOUS SALAD
We love this light couscous salad - it doubles as a side, can be the main event or works well topped with grilled chicken or Adam's favorite, shrimp! With lots of texture from crisp cucumber, sweet tomatoes, crunchy nuts and raisins, this is certainly one of our favorites. You can even make it ahead of time. See the notes section below for our tips.
Provided by Adam and Joanne Gallagher
Categories Side Dish
Time 20m
Yield Makes approximately 8 (1 cup) servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add couscous and cook until tender, 8-10 minutes. Drain.
- While the couscous cooks, in a large bowl, whisk the oil, mustard, honey, lemon zest, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add the drained couscous to the dressing and mix well.
- Stir in the cucumber, tomato, herbs, walnuts and raisins. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and/or pepper as needed. Enjoy warm or cover then refrigerate until cool, about 1 hour.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 cup, Calories 219, Protein 5 g, Carbohydrate 29 g, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 4 g, Fat 9 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 160 mg
LEMON-BASIL GRILLED SHRIMP & COUSCOUS
The basil and lemon in this dish complement each other so nicely. Using fresh ingredients really makes a big difference. -Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 25m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cook couscous according to package directions; remove from heat. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk lemon juice, oil, mustard, garlic, salt and pepper until blended; stir in 1/4 cup basil. Stir 1/4 cup dressing into cooked couscous; reserve remaining dressing., Thread shrimp onto metal or soaked wooden skewers. Grill shrimp, covered, on an oiled rack over medium-high heat until pink, 2-3 minutes on each side., Remove shrimp from skewers; toss with reserved dressing. Serve with couscous. Sprinkle with lemon zest and remaining basil.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 363 calories, Fat 12g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 184mg cholesterol, Sodium 497mg sodium, Carbohydrate 34g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
COUSCOUS WITH HERBS AND LEMON
Categories Citrus Herb Side Picnic Quick & Easy Mint Summer Couscous Parsley Gourmet Sugar Conscious Kidney Friendly Dairy Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Makes 6 side-dish servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cook onion in 1 tablespoon oil in a 2- to 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add water and broth and bring to a boil.
- Stir in couscous, then cover and remove from heat. Let couscous stand, covered, 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and stir in herbs, lemon juice, remaining tablespoon oil, and salt and pepper to taste.
Tips:
- Start with high-quality couscous: Look for couscous made from durum wheat and avoid pre-cooked or flavored varieties.
- Use a light hand with the lemon juice: A little goes a long way, so start with a small amount and add more to taste.
- Roast the pine nuts until golden brown: This will bring out their nutty flavor and add a nice texture to the dish.
- Don't skip the fresh herbs: Basil and parsley add a vibrant flavor to the dish. If you don't have fresh herbs on hand, you can use dried herbs, but they won't be as flavorful.
- Serve the couscous warm or at room temperature: This dish is best enjoyed when it's warm, but it can also be served at room temperature.
Conclusion:
Tuscan couscous with lemon basil dressing is a light and refreshing dish that's perfect for a summer meal. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you serve it as a main course or a side dish, this couscous dish is sure to please everyone at the table.
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