Festive Couscous Salad
A very Festive Couscous Salad packed with flavour and texture and only takes 15 minutes to prepare and assemble. Super versatile and the perfect side or satisfying vegetarian/vegan main.
Share via Email
Share on Facebook
Ingredients
Couscous
- 1 Cup Couscous Feel free to use quinoa or other grain of your choice
- 1 tsp Vegetable Stock Powder/Granules
- ⅓ tsp Salt
- 1 tbsp Harissa paste/spice blend or sundried tomato pesto Optional
- 1¼ Cups Boiling Water
Other Ingredients
- 200 grams Roasted/grilled peppers chopped I used red and green
- ¼ cup Sundried Tomatoes Chopped
- ½ cup Pitted Olives Halved (I used green olives)
- ½ cup Pine Nuts
- ¼ cup Seed Mix*
- ⅓ cup Fresh parsley Finely chopped
- ½ cup Pomegranate Seeds
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the couscous, stock and salt to a heat proof bowl, mix through then boil the kettle
- Note: If using harissa spice blend, add it to the couscous with the stock. If using paste or pesto, stir it into the boiling water before adding to the couscous
- Pour the boiling water evenly over the couscous, then cover with a tight fitting lid, plate, reusable cover or plastic wrap and let steam and absorb for 10 minutes
- While the couscous is 'cooking', chop any ingredients that need to be chopped and set aside
- When the couscous has absorbed all the water and increased in volume, use a fork to fluff it up and separate the grains, then add and mix through the other ingredients
- Serve warm or chill in the fridge until serving
- Note: If making ahead of time, I would recommend adding the pomegranate seeds, fresh parsley, pine nuts and seeds just before serving to ensure they do not soften/wilt. The same would apply if making in advance and freezing before use. This is not essential though as the complete salad or left overs store well in the fridge or freezer
Notes
*The seed mix I use is a mix of pumpkin, sunflower, sesame and flax seeds. It is sometimes referred to as breakfast seed mix as well. You can use a single variety, make a mix of your own or use any pre-mix you like or have available.
I also sometimes use a salad sprinkle mix, which is similar, but includes dried onion flakes and nuts. It's almost identical to everything bagel seasoning, with the inclusion of nuts.
Since I used pine nuts in this recipe, I stuck to the seed mix instead, but the salad sprinkle mix would be a great substitute.
So please feel free to use whatever you like or have at hand.
Tried this recipe?Post your pics and tag us at @my_homemade_kitchen_za or #myhomemadekitchen!