Name: Couscous Salad: 5 Reasons You'll Love This Refreshing Dish
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1 cup couscous; 1 1/4 cups water; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 cucumber, diced; 1 bell pepper, diced; 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped; 1/4 cup parsley, chopped; 1/4 cup olive oil; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; Salt and pepper to taste

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If you’re looking for a dish that’s not only delicious but also refreshingly light, then you’ve got to try my couscous salad! It’s bursting with vibrant veggies and drizzled with a zesty dressing that’ll make your taste buds dance. Plus, this salad is super versatile—feel free to toss in whatever veggies you have on hand or even some protein like chickpeas or feta for an extra boost. I love how quick and easy it is to whip up, making it perfect for busy weeknights or a sunny picnic. Trust me, once you taste it, you’ll be hooked!

Ingredients List

Here’s everything you’ll need to make my delightful couscous salad. Trust me, it’s all about fresh ingredients that complement each other beautifully. Make sure you have the following on hand:

1 cup couscous
1 1/4 cups water
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cucumber, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Feel free to get creative! If you have other veggies you love, toss them in. And don’t hesitate to add some chickpeas or feta cheese for an extra punch of flavor and protein. Enjoy the journey of making this fresh, zesty salad!

How to Prepare Couscous Salad

Alright, let’s dive into making this couscous salad! It’s super simple and comes together in no time. You’ll want to follow these steps to ensure everything is perfectly mixed and bursting with flavor. Trust me, the end result is so worth it!

Cooking the Couscous

First, bring 1 1/4 cups of water to a rolling boil in a pot. Once it’s bubbling, add in the 1 cup of couscous. Give it a quick stir, then remove it from the heat and cover the pot. Let it sit for about 5 minutes. This is where the magic happens—the couscous absorbs all that water!

Mixing the Salad Ingredients

While the couscous is soaking up the goodness, grab a large bowl and combine the fluffy couscous with the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, and chopped parsley. Make sure all the veggies are evenly distributed; it makes every bite a delightful surprise!

Preparing the Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together the 1/4 cup of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper. This dressing is where the zesty flavor comes from, so make sure it’s well blended and ready to elevate your salad!

Combining Salad and Dressing

Now, pour that vibrant dressing over the salad mixture and toss everything together gently. You want to coat all the ingredients evenly with that zesty goodness. Once it’s all mixed, you can serve it chilled or at room temperature—honestly, it’s delicious either way!

Why You’ll Love This Couscous Salad

This couscous salad is a total game-changer for anyone who loves fresh, vibrant flavors but doesn’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. You can whip it up in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for a quick lunch or a last-minute side dish. The combination of crunchy vegetables and the zesty dressing creates a refreshing taste that’s simply irresistible. Plus, it’s packed with nutrients, making it a healthy choice for any meal. Whether you’re enjoying it on a sunny day or bringing it to a potluck, this salad is sure to impress everyone around the table!

Tips for Success

To make your couscous salad truly shine, don’t be afraid to adjust the seasoning to suit your taste! A little extra lemon juice can really brighten the flavors, while a pinch of salt can enhance the veggies‘ natural sweetness. If you’re looking to add some protein, toss in some chickpeas or crumbled feta cheese for a creamy touch. And here’s a little secret: this salad is even better the next day! Letting it sit in the fridge allows all those flavors to meld beautifully. Serve it chilled on a warm day, or add it as a side dish to your grilled favorites. Enjoy!

Nutritional Information

Let’s talk numbers! This couscous salad is not only delicious but also a healthy choice. Each serving (about 1 cup) contains approximately 220 calories, 9g of fat (with only 1g saturated), 6g of protein, 31g of carbs, and 3g of fiber. Plus, it’s cholesterol-free! It’s a guilt-free way to enjoy a tasty meal!

FAQ Section

Got questions about my couscous salad? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! One common question is about variations—feel free to switch up the veggies based on what you have! Spinach, zucchini, or even roasted veggies work great. If you’re looking for protein, chickpeas or grilled chicken can add a nice touch. For storage, keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just remember to give it a good toss before serving again to rehydrate the couscous. And if you want to enjoy it cold, it’s even tastier after sitting in the fridge overnight!

Storage & Reheating Instructions

To keep your couscous salad fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you’d like to enjoy it warm, just pop it in the microwave for a quick heat-up, but I recommend savoring it chilled for the best flavor experience!

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Couscous Salad: 5 Reasons You’ll Love This Refreshing Dish

Autor: Julia marin
Gesamtzeit: 15 minutes
Ertrag: 4 servings 1x
Ernährung: Vegetarisch

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Beschreibung

A refreshing couscous salad packed with vegetables and a zesty dressing.

Anweisungen

Bring water to a boil in a pot.
Add couscous and remove from heat.
Cover and let it sit for 5 minutes.
Fluff couscous with a fork.
In a large bowl, combine couscous, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, and parsley.
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
Serve chilled or at room temperature.