How to Prepare Couscous Salad: A Refreshing and Versatile Dish
Couscous salad is a delightful and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a light meal or a refreshing side. Made with fluffy couscous, a variety of vegetables, and a flavorful dressing, this salad is perfect for any occasion. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to prepare a delicious couscous salad that will impress your family and friends.
Ingredients
Before you start preparing the couscous salad, gather the following ingredients:
– 1 cup of couscous
– 1 can (14 oz) of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
– 1 bell pepper, diced
– 1 cucumber, diced
– 1 red onion, finely chopped
– 1/2 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
– 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, chopped
– 1/4 cup of fresh mint, chopped
– 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
– 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
– 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1.
Prepare the couscous
Start by boiling 2 cups of water in a pot. Once the water is boiling, add the couscous and stir well. Cover the pot and let it sit for about 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, remove the pot from heat and let it sit for another 5 minutes, covered. Fluff the couscous with a fork and set it aside to cool.
2.
Combine the vegetables
In a large bowl, combine the diced bell pepper, cucumber, red onion, and cherry tomatoes. Add the drained and rinsed chickpeas to the bowl as well.
3.
Make the dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, ground cumin, salt, and pepper. Set the dressing aside.
4.
Combine the salad
Once the couscous has cooled, add it to the bowl with the vegetables. Toss everything together until well combined.
5.
Chop the herbs
Chop the fresh parsley and mint and add them to the salad. Toss everything one more time to ensure the herbs are evenly distributed.
6.
Drizzle the dressing
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients. Adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
7.
Serve and enjoy
Serve the couscous salad immediately or let it sit in the refrigerator for a few hours to allow the flavors to meld together. Enjoy your refreshing and flavorful couscous salad as a standalone dish or alongside your favorite main course.
By following these simple steps, you can easily prepare a delicious couscous salad that is sure to impress. Get creative with the ingredients and add your own twist to this versatile dish. Enjoy!
