When Rosanne Cash said "“The key to change... is to let go of fear," I am sure she was talking about experimenting with new food too - Letting go of old habits, embracing the new, doing something totally new, like experimenting with Couscous!! When the blogging bug bit me, I had headed to the nearest hypermart and picked this packet of rather expensive Couscous some weeks ago, but somehow couldnt get to eat it - it wasnt that I had tasted it and didnt like it : guess it was the fear of the unknown. Like cooking mushrooms at home, when I dont eat it - but I still include it for hubby and daughter. Like, working with a new set of ingredients for today's Couscous Salad. It was supremely healthy & filling, and a much needed break from the usual stuff we have for lunch and was crunchy from the chilled veggies and the warm oil.. I liked it quite a bit, and was wondering if I could make this a weekly ritual..those questions always seem to haunt you, once you have tried it, right? just like bungee jumping or driving your first car, or even marriage, perhaps !! he he he 🙂
Anyways, the verdict : Would I make it again? yes, definitely. And while most people prefer it bland, I would definitely spice it up a bit more with chopped sweet peppers, steamed veggies and may be even a spoon of mashed up lentil for a complete meal. The warm olive oil combined with the cold and crunchy veggies and fruits is sure to warm you up during the winters.
This healthy dish goes to : Kavi's Healthy Cooking Challenge - Lunches, event by Smitha, my own event Global Food Fest, Valli's Soups and Salads mela, Radhika's winter mela and also Susan's BWW. Let's get on to the recipe now !
Prep time : 10 mins. Soaking time : 10 mins. No cook time. Serves : 1
Ingredients:
- Couscous - 1 cup
- Cucumber - de-seeded and finely diced - ¼ cup
- Apple - diced fine - ⅛ cup
- Pomegranate seeds - a handful
- Onions - 1 small - finely diced
- Lemon juice - 1 tsp
- Sesame seeds - roasted - 1 tsp
- Olive oil - 2 TBSP
- Garlic minced - a dash (max 1 medium clove, grated)
- Salt - to taste
- Black pepper - to taste
- Tomato ketchup - 1 tablespoon (optional)
- Curry powder - 1 teaspoon (opt.)
- Coriander and parsley leaves - to garnish
Method:
1) Pour boiling water (approx 1.5 times the amount of couscous) onto the couscous and let it soak well. Drain after 10 minutes and fluff it up well.
2) Add all the chopped veggies, spices and mix up well.
3) Warm the olive oil a bit and add to the couscous.
4) Just before serving, add a dash of lime juice and tomato ketchup and garnish with coriander and parsley (I didnt have any, but would add it next time).
5) Serve immediately.
chef and her kitchen says
I love this salad..looks delicious n yumm
MyKitchen Flavors-BonAppetit!. says
Healthy and Yumm Salad Dear.Luv the recipe.Luks delicious.
Unknown says
Yummy!! Great clicks too. 🙂
Unknown says
Kalyani dear, can you tell me what this is called in hindi or in tamil?? I m sorry i m not great in this.Ty:)
Hari Chandana P says
Very healthy and delicious salad.. looks absolutely tempting.. beautiful clicks too !!
Indian Cuisine
Radhika says
That's a wondeful bowl of healthy salad. I'm not sure that I would get couscous here.
Kalyani says
@ Radhika - try hypermart or Spencers - those large format supermarkets have couscous.. Initially, even I thought I wouldnt find this in Mumbai, but it is generally available in most upscale supermarkets (where you generally get Demerera Sugar, Apricot preserves and imported stuff). Hope this helps !
@ Anusha - I am honestly bad at what this is called in Tamil, but this link from wikipedia should help - I have updated the same in the post too !
Kalyani
Rumana Rawat says
Looks very tempting:)
Daisy Roshan says
interesting recipe...nice B&W photography
Priya Suresh says
Very satisfying and super filling salad, wonderful bowl..
Unknown says
awesome and colorful salad....i too like couscous a lot....
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Alpana says
Hearty & fresh salad........looks delish.
Priya dharshini says
Colorful Salad with Couscous...Thanks for sharing the location..I am yet to try this dish...
Madhavi says
Great salad, looks amazing!!!
http://vegetarianmedley.blogspot.com/
Sensible Vegetarian says
Colorful and yummy looking salad, looks great.
Kavi says
jeeze! thanks so much for linking to my event! 🙂 would love to have more entries from you…
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Kavi | Edible Entertainment
Ongoing event: Healthy Lunch Challenge
Srivalli says
Such a inviting bowl of salad..thanks for sending this for the mela!