Pantry Fresh

Chilled Couscous Salad

Chilled Couscous Salad

A refreshing Summer salad with fresh veggies and couscous pasta.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

INGREDIENTS

2 cups pearl couscous
2 cups cucumber
1 can diced tomatoes
1 medium onion
1 can of corn
1 can of chickpeas
1 bouillon cube
1 cup cherry tomatoes
½ – 1 cup Italian dressing (to taste)
Salt & pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Cut the cucumber into quarters and then slice thinly. Peel and dice the onion into small pieces.
  2. Open the diced tomatoes and corn and drain the liquid from both. Open the can of chickpeas and drain and rinse them.
  3. Cook the couscous. Use two cups of dry couscous. Boil the water first, adding a drop of oil to prevent the couscous from sticking together.
  4. When the water has boiled, add the bouillon cube and stir to completely dissolve. Add the couscous and stir. Then remove from heat, cover, and let the couscous absorb the liquid (about 10-15 minutes).
  5. Remove the couscous from the pot and let cool to room temperature before adding the other ingredients.
  6. Slice the cherry tomatoes into halves while the couscous cools.
  7. Add the cucumbers, canned and fresh tomatoes, onion, corn, chickpeas, and salad dressing to the couscous. You could also add some leftover dried parsley from last month’s meal kit!
  8. Add salt, pepper, and other herbs to taste. Stir to mix.
  9. Chill for 1 hour before serving. (This is optional, but will help the flavors blend and stand out more.) Enjoy!

CARROT TIPS

  • What is couscous? Couscous is a wheat-based pasta, common in North Africa and the Middle East. Couscous makes a great alternative to rice or traditional pastas!
  • Load up the salad with fresh vegetables like bell peppers, eggplant, and zucchini, and herbs like marjoram, oregano, and dill.
  • Add feta, parmesan, or goat cheese for some extra flavor and protein.
  • Serve with grilled chicken or fish to beat the heat and enjoy an easy summer meal.
  • This salad keeps well, so double the recipe for weekly meal planning or for a ready-to-eat dinner on a busy weeknight!
  • Want to try making your own salad dressing? Check out this page for helpful tips on making a dressing from scratch: https://www.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/shows/2015/03/salad-dressing-infographic-all-star-academy
Published