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How to Make Pearl Couscous Salad - A Step-by-Step Guide

Pearl couscous, also known as Israeli couscous, is a type of pasta shaped like small pearls, and is a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine. It has a slightly chewy texture and a subtle nutty flavor, making it a great base for a variety of dishes. One of the most popular ways to enjoy pearl couscous is in a refreshing salad, loaded with fresh veggies and herbs, and dressed with a zesty vinaigrette. This pearl couscous salad is perfect for any occasion, whether you're serving it as a side dish at a...

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Ingredients

  • 5 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups pearl (Israeli) couscous
  • 2 ½ cups water
  • ½ cup French lentils
  • 2 Roma (plum) tomatoes, diced
  • 1 small cucumber, seeded and diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup golden raisins or sultanas
  • 1/3 cup diced red onion
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh chives (Optional)
  • 1 green onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley, or more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon ground sumac (Optional)
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 lemons, juiced
  • 2 tablespoons honey, or more to taste
  • salt and ground black pepper to taste

Information

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 40 mins
  • Additional Time: 8 hrs
  • Total Time: 9 hrs
  • Servings: 6

  • To make couscous: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir couscous in hot oil until toasted and fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Pour in water and bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until couscous is tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse couscous under cold water in a colander, then transfer to a large serving bowl. Stir in remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil until well coated.
  • Place lentils in a small pan and cover with water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until lentils are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and rinse lentils under cold water in a colander; add to couscous.
  • To make the salad: Add tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, cranberries, raisins, red onion, chives, green onion, parsley, and sumac to couscous-lentil mixture.
  • To make the dressing: Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well combined.
  • Pour dressing over salad; stir until coated. Let chill in the refrigerator until flavors blend, 8 hours to overnight.

    • Nutrition

    560 cal.

    • Total Fat: 21g
    • Saturated Fat: 3g
    • Sodium: 43mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 82g
    • Dietary Fiber: 10g
    • Total Sugars: 22g
    • Protein: 13g
    • Vitamin C: 34mg
    • Calcium: 53mg
    • Iron: 3mg
    • Potassium: 511mg

    Categories

    Vegetarian recipes
    Salad recipes
    Healthy recipes
    Mediterranean recipes
    Side recipes