Best 3 Tuscan Couscous With Lemon Basil Dressing Recipes

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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.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

OUR FAVORITE LEMON HERB COUSCOUS SALAD



Our Favorite Lemon Herb Couscous Salad image

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

1 1/2 cups dried Israeli couscous, also called pearl couscous
Salt and fresh ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
2 to 4 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice, depending on taste
1 medium English cucumber, diced
1 large tomato, diced
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh herbs; use any combination of fresh parsley, cilantro, basil, dill, or mint
1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
1/4 cup raisins, we love golden raisins

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



Lemon-Basil Grilled Shrimp & Couscous image

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

1-1/2 cups uncooked pearl (Israeli) couscous
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup minced fresh basil, divided
2 pounds uncooked large shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

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



Couscous with Herbs and Lemon image

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

1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
3/4 cup water
1 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (10 fl oz)
1 (10-oz) box couscous (1 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh basil
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh mint
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, or to taste

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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