Thursday, October 28, 2010

Cous Cous Salad

This is a very easy,healthy and filling salad which can be done in less than 15-20 mins and is a great crowd pleaser.I generally make it for my lunch or dinner so that I can enjoy the good healthy salad with some bread and lemonade which forms a very filling meal.The Preparation of this salad is no different from any other salad which we make regularly just that cous cous is added in a major portion to the regular salad.The choice of vegetables,nuts,beans,spices,herbs are left to our imagination and creativity.This is one combination of salad which I make regularly.

Ingredients:

1 cup Cous Cous
1 1/2 cup hot water approx

1 medium onion,cut into small cubes(you can even add spring onions)

1 medium capsicum,seeded and cut into small cubes(you can add any kind of peppers)
1 big tomato,seeded and cut into small cubes

1/4 cup small cubed cucumber

1/4 cup chopped coriander and some mint

8-10 seedless black/green olives
3-4 pickled gherkins/jalapenos,chopped
2 green chilies,very finely chopped
a handful of roughly chopped walnuts/pine nuts
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil(EVOO)
salt to taste


For Dressing:
2 tbsp extra virgin Olive oil(EVOO)
2 tsp lemon juice
2 garlic pods,grated

salt to taste
Fresh ground pepper to taste


Method:
  • In a large bowl mix cous cous and pour hot boiling water and salt over it and mix well and cover it with a lid and keep it aside for 12-15 mins.Or Cook cous cous according to the package directions.
  • Now pour a tbsp of EVOO(olive oil) and fluff it up with a fork gently.
  • Now mix in all the diced vegetables(tomatoes,onions,cucumber,olives,capsicum), chopped green chillies,coriander and mint,walnuts and mix well with a wooden spatula.
  • Take a small bowl and mix olive oil,lemon juice,grated garlic,salt and pepper using a balloon whisk until everything is well mixed.
  • Pour the dressing over the cous cous mixture and mix well.
  • Refrigerate it for half an hour to one hour to allow the flavors to blend in the cous cous.
Garnish with some walnuts and coriander and serve it cold.

Notes and variations to the salad:
  • Various vegetables like Sauteed spinach or fresh baby spinach,blanched broccoli,colored bell peppers,grilled zucchini,boiled corn,spring onions and chopped basil can also be added according to your taste.
  • You can even add diced feta cheese or paneer to the salad.
  • You can even add boiled and salted garbanzo beans / Rajma / Lobia beans to the salad if you like.
  • Dry fruits like raisins,cranberries,chopped almonds can also be added.Roasted and coarsely ground peanuts can be added for different taste.
  • For dressing you can add a tsp of balsamic vinegar or regular white vinegar for different flavor.

29 comments:

  1. Hi Prathy,

    Love salads...This one i have not tried...Will do so soon>>>:)Lovely...

    Dr.Sameena@

    www.myeasytocookrecipes.blogspot.com

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  2. Looks so colorful, have not tasted this cous cous so far,sounds healthy@

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  3. Such a beautiful looking salad, would like to have for my lunch..

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  4. loved the idea of using kous kous... nice colorful dish!

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  5. very interesting salad, prathy :)..cooking cous cous itself is new to me..salad too..looks colourful and comforting!

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  6. Salad looks so inviting and delicious

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  7. tnx for visiting my blog....
    I am a fan of mediterranean food...and love the cous cous salad!
    keep visiting!

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  8. Couscous is very popular in my household. I make it often. the salad looks colorful.

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  9. Just stumbled on your blog. It is great. Cous cous sald looks colourful.

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  10. This cous cous salad looks so colourful and yumm!

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  11. The look of this salad is so inviting...love to try it, very healthy, too

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  12. healthy and colourful salad, great

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  13. Thanks Pratibha for the recipe, this such cool salad, looks yummooooo!!

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  14. MMMm I love couscous ..looks yummy and colorful

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  15. seen the cous cous in stores, but never bought it or tasted outside.healthy salad

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  16. Looks colourful and crowd puller.

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  17. Lovely prathiba...
    Saw this in nigella's kitchen program yday.. and her making was nearly similar...
    thanks for sharing.

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  18. how can you not please a crowd with this awesome dish? Very creative- love it!

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Hugs,
Prathy