North African Couscous Salad
Description:
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of North Africa with this tantalizing North African Couscous Salad. Bursting with wholesome ingredients and aromatic spices, this salad is a delightful combination of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch option or a satisfying snack, this recipe is sure to impress.
Recipe Category: Lunch/Snacks 🥗
Keywords: Grains, Vegetable, African, Vegan, Low Cholesterol, Healthy, < 60 Mins, Stove Top 🌿
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 304.7
- Fat Content: 7.8g
- Saturated Fat Content: 0.9g
- Cholesterol Content: 0mg
- Sodium Content: 392.2mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 51.8g
- Fiber Content: 5.7g
- Sugar Content: 11.8g
- Protein Content: 8.3g
Servings: 4
Cooking Times:
| Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 20 minutes | 22 minutes | 42 minutes |
Ingredients:
- 1 large carrot 🥕
- 1/4 lemon, rind of 🍋
- 1 orange zest 🍊
- Saffron threads (a pinch) 💛
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- Salt, to taste 🧂
- Fresh lemon juice, from 1 lemon 🍋
- 1 cup water 💧
- 1 red bell pepper, diced 🌶️
- 1 cup English peas 🌱
- 1 cup couscous 🌾
- 1/4 cup kalamata olives, pitted and sliced 🫒
- 2 tbsp pine nuts 🌰
- 1/4 cup dried currants 🍇
Instructions:
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Prepare the Ingredients: Begin by gathering and preparing all the ingredients as listed in the recipe.
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Cook the Aromatic Base: In a non-reactive saucepan, combine the carrot (sliced), lemon rind, orange zest, saffron threads, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground cinnamon, salt, fresh lemon juice, and water.
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Simmer: Cover the saucepan and bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the carrots are just tender.
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Add Bell Pepper: After the initial simmering, add in the diced red bell pepper to the saucepan and continue to cook for an additional 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
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Incorporate Peas: Remove the saucepan from the heat and gently fold in the English peas, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
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Add Couscous: Sprinkle the couscous evenly over the vegetable mixture in the saucepan. Stir gently to combine, ensuring that the couscous is well coated with the flavorful liquid.
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Let it Sit: Cover the saucepan once again and allow the couscous to sit undisturbed for 10-15 minutes. This will allow the couscous to absorb the flavors and steam to perfection.
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Add Finishing Touches: Once the couscous is cooked and fluffy, uncover the saucepan and add in the sliced kalamata olives. Fluff the couscous with a fork to incorporate the olives evenly.
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Season and Serve: Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper according to your preference. Spoon the North African Couscous Salad onto individual plates, ensuring each portion is garnished with a sprinkle of pine nuts and dried currants for added texture and flavor.
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Enjoy! Serve this delectable North African Couscous Salad as a standalone meal or as a flavorful side dish alongside your favorite main courses.
Pro Tips:
- For a boost of protein, consider adding cooked chickpeas or grilled tofu to the salad.
- Customize the salad by incorporating your favorite vegetables such as cherry tomatoes, cucumber, or roasted eggplant.
- To enhance the citrus flavor, squeeze additional fresh lemon juice over the salad just before serving.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Simply reheat gently in the microwave or enjoy cold as a refreshing salad.
Embark on a culinary journey to North Africa with this vibrant and flavorful Couscous Salad recipe. Packed with wholesome ingredients and aromatic spices, this dish is a celebration of Mediterranean-inspired flavors that are sure to delight your palate and impress your guests. Whether enjoyed as a light lunch or a satisfying snack, this North African Couscous Salad is a true culinary masterpiece that will transport you to exotic locales with every bite.
