Recipe--Couscous Salad

Yesterday I made a new recipe, given to me by my good friend and trained chef, Maura Cooper.

Sorry I only have the After photo.  I get all excited and start chopping things, and I forget to take the Before photo of all the ingredients.

Well, we can pretend:  it was a box of couscous and a can of chickpeas, surrounded by colorful veggies:  cilantro, celery, green onions, tomatoes, a cucumber, oh, and some walnuts and spices.  Oh, and olive oil and lemon juice.

Anyway, it is delicious and was so easy, too.

It’s full of fresh ingredients (I *love* fresh cilantro), and is light and fluffy.  Perfect for these hot, summer days.  ♥

Here’s the recipe:

Whole Wheat Couscous Salad

by Maura Cooper

Makes about 8 cups

1 can (14 ounces) vegetable broth

1 1/2 cups whole wheat couscous (such as Trader Joe’s)

Combine in a large microwave safe bowl and heat on high for 3 1/2 minutes. Fluff with a fork and allow to come to room temperature.

Add in these ingredients and stir to combine thoroughly.

1 pint grape tomatoes, halved or sliced in thirds

½ bunch scallions, sliced (around 3)

½ hothouse cucumber, quartered lengthwise and then sliced across

2 ribs celery, sliced or ½ cup peeled, julienned jicama

1 cup walnut pieces

1 can chickpeas, black beans or black soy beans, rinsed & drained

2/3 cup lemon juice

Mix together again. Then add:

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 bunch flat leaf parsley, destemmed & chopped (about ½ cup)       

OR 2 Tbs. dried parsley OR ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro

salt and pepper to taste

1 tsp. dried basil

1 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. dried thyme

3 Tbsp. dried mint

Mix thoroughly again and taste. Adjust seasonings to your liking.

The resulting salad should be tender, flavorful and moist. Keeps well in the refrigerator. After three days may need more lemon juice to perk it up.

**

Thanks again for the recipe, Maura.  It was a big hit!

The couscous was so easy to make, and the veggies chopped up in no time.  Then all you had to do was stir it all together.  How perfect is that?

Yum, yum, yum.  Nice and light. 

Perfect for today ‘cause it hit 109º again.  Yikes!

But dinner’s done, and I don’t have to heat the kitchen.  Yay!

And it makes a lot of leftovers.  (even better)

XOXO,

Lucky Dog  
♥