Lemon-Herb Couscous Salad
For those nights when you don’t want to eat something heavy, a healthy salad would be a great option, especially if you are aiming to lose weight. One thing, though, that you have to remember when opting for salad is that you have to carefully choose the ingredients if you want to be successful in shedding the extra pounds. Many people think that just because they are eating this “light” meal that they would already lose weight. That is wrong. Again, the ingredients matter a lot.
Have you had couscous already? This right here is an excellent salad ingredient. It is low in fat as well as in calories. That alone makes it a perfect addition to your daily diet. It is also known as slow-release carbohydrate, which means that it can make you feel full for a longer period of time. This will help you avoid unnecessary snacking.
Furthermore, couscous is an excellent source of protein. In fact, it’s one of the best plant-based sources of protein, which works really good if you are a vegetarian. So be it lunch or dinner, couscous salad is something that you should consider.
Below is a simple recipe for Lemon Herb Couscous Salad that you should try soon.
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Lemon-Herb Couscous Salad
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
With a simple lemon-herb dressing, this couscous salad makes a healthy and delicious part of your dinner meal. Or, you can also eat it on its own if you are on a diet.
Ingredients
1 1/2 c. dried couscous
1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp. each Dijon mustard and finely grated lemon zest
1/2 tsp. honey
1 large tomato (diced)
1 medium cucumber (diced)
1/4 c. each walnuts (chopped and toasted) and raisins
1/2 herbs (coarsely chopped)
freshly squeezed lemon juice, to taste
salt and pepper
Instructions
- Boil salted water in a large saucepan, then add couscous. Cook for about 10 minutes or until tender. Drain.
- Meanwhile, combine oil, mustard, lemon zest and juice, honey, as well as salt and pepper in a bowl.
- Add couscous to the mixture and mix well.
- Add raisins, walnuts, cucumber, tomatoes, and herbs. Add salt and pepper as needed.
Notes
For the herbs, you can utilize a combination of mint, parsley, dill, cilantro, or basil.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
This lemon-herb couscous salad can be served warm. Or, you may opt to refrigerate it as well and serve it cold later on. It’s definitely something that you can make ahead of time.
Israeli couscous is the best type for this recipe. But if you are unable to find this variety, you are free to use the regular type. Small pasta shape would work just fine, too.
How to Toast the Walnuts
Toasting the walnuts is quite easy. Simply add them to a pan over medium heat. Stir constantly until they turn golden brown. This should take about 5 to 10 minutes. Wait until they release their fragrance as well.
Like what we have said earlier, you have the option to keep it chilled first or eat it immediately after making it. For make-ahead, keep it in a container with a lid and put in the fridge for 3 to 4 hours. However, if you intend to make it the day before you plan on eating it, you might as well set aside the walnuts and tomatoes. Only add them when you are ready to eat.