Pearl Couscous Salad

Pearl Couscous Salad

Pearl couscous is great to use in a hearty salad like this one which is a take on a pricey deli grain salad that my family loves. It is much more affordable to make it at home so we can enjoy it more often.

Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
40 mins
Additional Time:
8 hrs
Total Time:
9 hrs
Servings:
6

Ingredients

Lentils

  • ½ cup French lentils

Couscous

  • 5 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups pearl (Israeli) couscous
  • 2 ½ cups water

Dressing

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 lemons, juiced
  • 2 tablespoons honey, or more to taste
  • salt and ground black pepper to taste

Salad

  • 2 Roma (plum) tomatoes, diced
  • 1 small cucumber, seeded and diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup golden raisins or sultanas
  • 1/3 cup diced red onion
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh chives (Optional)
  • 1 green onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley, or more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon ground sumac (Optional)

Directions

Step 1
To make couscous: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir couscous in hot oil until toasted and fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Pour in water and bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until couscous is tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse couscous under cold water in a colander, then transfer to a large serving bowl. Stir in remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil until well coated.

Step 2
Place lentils in a small pan and cover with water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until lentils are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and rinse lentils under cold water in a colander; add to couscous.

Step 3
To make the salad: Add tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, cranberries, raisins, red onion, chives, green onion, parsley, and sumac to couscous-lentil mixture.

Step 4
To make the dressing: Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well combined.

Step 5
Pour dressing over salad; stir until coated. Let chill in the refrigerator until flavors blend, 8 hours to overnight.

Tips

You can adjust the sweetness of the dressing to your liking. I prefer it a bit tart, while my kids like it a bit sweeter.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

560
Calories
21g
Fat
82g
Carbs
13g
Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 560
% Daily Value *
Total Fat21g 27%
Saturated Fat3g 15%
Sodium43mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate82g 30%
Dietary Fiber10g 35%
Total Sugars22g
Protein13g
Vitamin C34mg 169%
Calcium53mg 4%
Iron3mg 15%
Potassium511mg 11%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient.If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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source by allrecipe

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