Let’s dive straight into the world of couscous. I don’t know of any ingredient that isn’t as healthy, tasty and versatile as couscous.
1. The perfect base: couscous
Couscous is a versatile side dish made from fine durum wheat semolina balls. Not only is it easy to make, it’s also incredibly tasty and nutritious. Start preparing your quick couscous salad by cooking the couscous according to the package directions. Since you can usually do nothing flasch. Tip : You can also add some vegetable broth , which gives extra flavor.
2. Fresh vegetables for a colorful variety
A quick couscous salad is a real feast of colors and flavors. Add some veggies to your salad. Cut the peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes and spring onions into small pieces and add them to the couscous. Carrots, zucchini or radishes are also great. The vegetables not only provide valuable vitamins and minerals, but also make the salad visually appealing.
3. Herbs and spices for flavor
Herbs and spices add the final touch to the salad. Be sure to use fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or mint. These herbs not only bring a pleasant scent to your kitchen, but also give the salad a depth of taste. You can supplement the whole thing with spices such as cumin, paprika or turmeric to make the taste even more intense.
4. A touch of the exotic: nuts and dried fruits
Nuts and dried fruit are also great for couscous salad. Almonds, pistachios or cashew nuts provide a pleasant combination of flavors and provide valuable nutrients. Dried fruits such as raisins, dates or cranberries give the salad a sweet touch and provide an extra portion of energy. These ingredients not only offer a flavor change, but also an interesting texture.
5. Healthy Proteins: Chickpeas or Feta Cheese
You can add high-protein ingredients to your salad for a full meal. Chickpeas are rich in protein, fiber and minerals. But feta cheese is also perfect for this salad. The salty and creamy taste of the feta cheese harmonises wonderfully with the other ingredients and gives it a Mediterranean touch. Feel free to try it out!
6. A dressing that ties it all together
A delicious dressing is the icing on the cake of a quick couscous salad. You can make a simple Lemon Olive Oil Dressing or just get creative and create a custom dressing of your own taste. For example, a yoghurt dressing with garlic and fresh herbs is a perfect addition. It is fresh and completes the taste experience.
7. Variations for every taste
The quick couscous salad offers numerous possibilities for variations. You can add your favorite ingredients or use seasonal vegetables. Experiment a bit and just keep reinventing your salad. What I personally always like is the addition of grilled vegetables such as aubergines, zucchini or peppers. These give the salad a smoky aroma and an additional dimension of taste.
Video recipe instructions
In this video I show you how to easily prepare a delicious bulgur salad with Mediterranean vegetables. You can also use couscous instead of bulgur.
Have fun cooking!
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Couscous salad with mint and cherry tomatoes
Ingredients:
- 200 g Couscous
- 250 ml vegetable broth
- 1 rotten bell pepper
- 1 yellow pepper
- 1 cucumber
- 250 g cherry tomatoes
- 3 spring onions
- A handful of fresh parsley
- A handful of fresh mint
- juice of a lemon
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Preparation:
- Place the couscous in a bowl and pour over the vegetable stock. Stir well and leave covered for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, deseed the peppers and cut into small cubes. Peel and slice the cucumber. Halve the cherry tomatoes. Cut the spring onions into fine rings. Finely chop the parsley and mint.
- Fluff up the swollen couscous with a fork and leave to cool.
- In a large bowl, mix the couscous with the prepared vegetables, herbs and lemon juice.
- Pour the olive oil over it and pour the salad.
- Mix the couscous salad thoroughly until all the ingredients are well distributed. Season to taste with salt and pepper and season if necessary.
- Leave the finished Quick Couscous Salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes so that the flavors can develop well.
- Before serving, stir the salad again and transfer to a serving platter or bowl.
- Enjoy the refreshing and healthy Quick Couscous Salad as a main course or as an accompaniment to other dishes. It is also ideal as a light lunch on the go or as part of a convivial picnic in the countryside.
Couscous with baked cauliflower and pomegranate
Ingredients:
- 1 small cauliflower
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- 200 g Couscous
- 250 ml vegetable broth
- 1 pomegranate
- A handful of fresh mint
- juice of a lemon
- 3 tbsp olive oil
Preparation:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C.
- Cut the cauliflower into small florets and rinse thoroughly. In a bowl, mix together the olive oil, cumin, paprika, salt and pepper. Toss the cauliflower florets in the spice mixture until evenly coated.
- Place the seasoned cauliflower florets on a baking tray lined with baking paper and bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Meanwhile, place the couscous in a bowl and pour over the vegetable stock. Stir well and leave covered for 10 minutes.
- Halve the pomegranate and remove the seeds. Finely chop the mint.
- Fluff up the swollen couscous with a fork and leave to cool.
- In a large bowl, mix the couscous with the baked cauliflower florets, pomegranate seeds, and chopped mint.
- Pour the lemon juice and olive oil over the couscous and mix thoroughly.
- Leave the extraordinary couscous with baked cauliflower and pomegranate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes so that the flavors can develop well.
- Before serving, stir the salad again and transfer to a serving platter or bowl.
- Enjoy this extraordinary couscous salad as a main course or as an accompaniment to other dishes. The crispy cauliflower florets and sweet pomegranate seeds give the salad a unique texture and flavor combination.
- Bon appetit!
Conclusion: A treat for body and soul
The combination of couscous, fresh vegetables, herbs, spices, nuts and proteins makes this salad a complete and balanced meal. Let your creativity run free and create your own unique couscous salad!
FAQ:Â
How long does a couscous salad keep in the fridge?
Can I prepare the couscous salad and serve it later?
Can I also serve the couscous salad warm?
Is couscous salad gluten-free?
“You learn to cook by copying it… Eventually you develop your own cooking.”
Words by: Jean-François PiègesÂ
