Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Couscous & Vegetable Salad with Orange & Garlic

Couscous & Vegetable Salad with Orange & Garlic
Adapted from Quick Vegetarian Pleasures

Prep time: 20 minutes
Chill time: 30 minutes to 24 hours
Serves 4 as a main dish

Ingredients:
1 ½ cups couscous
½ cup dried cherries or cranberries or raisins or whatever else you like
1 tsp turmeric
2 cups boiling water (to soften the couscous)
2/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
2 cups chickpeas, drained
3 scallions (also known as green onions), thinly sliced
2 tomatoes, seeded and diced
Dressing:
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
Zest of 1 orange
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
Salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Place the couscous, turmeric and dried fruit in a large bowl, add the boiling water, stir and cover with foil for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, cover and let sit for 10 more minutes.

2. Add almonds, chickpeas, scallions and tomatoes.

3. In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients for the dressing (You might want to add some orange juice to this as well – up to you). Taste for seasoning and pour over the salad and toss well.

4. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours before serving. I usually find that the couscous absorbs a lot of the flavor, so taste for seasoning. You might even need more lemon juice.
For the non-vegetarians out there, I love this dish as a side to something grilled. It makes a wonderful dish for picnics or summer potlucks.

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

That salad looks great I have her Simple Veg Pleasures book and everything I have tried had been been great.

I am going to try that salad -- any suggestions on any other nuts that might be good in this. I don't care for those nuts. Of courseI can leave them out -- but wouldn't mind some crunch.

I think your blog is great -- have tried so many great recipes from it.

Ruth Daniels said...

You make me blush!

It is a great book. I sometimes forget I have it and then when I do....delicious dinners! If you don't like almonds, you could try walnut or pecan pieces toasted although they have a slightly stronger flavor. Another option would be pine nutes, which are mild.

Thanks for the kind words and for dropping by.