Best 4 Fresh Couscous Salad Recipes

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Welcome to the realm of culinary delights, where flavors dance and textures harmonize to create a symphony of taste. Embark on a journey to discover the secrets of crafting the perfect fresh couscous salad, a vibrant and refreshing dish that captures the essence of summer. We will guide you through the process of selecting the finest ingredients, from plump and fluffy couscous to crisp vegetables, aromatic herbs, and tangy dressing. With each step, you'll uncover the art of balancing flavors and textures, resulting in a salad that tantalizes your taste buds and leaves you craving more. Join us on this culinary adventure as we explore the world of fresh couscous salads and create a dish that will become a staple in your kitchen.

Let's cook with our recipes!

FRESH MOZZARELLA, TOMATO, AND BASIL COUSCOUS SALAD



Fresh Mozzarella, Tomato, and Basil Couscous Salad image

A lovely light salad from Cooking Light! You're used to seeing the cheese/tomato/basil combination, but have you had it with couscous before? Delicious! Prep time includes marinating.

Provided by Julesong

Categories     Cheese

Time 45m

Yield 5 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups diced tomatoes
3/4 cup diced fresh mozzarella cheese (about 3 ounces)
3 tablespoons minced shallots
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon lemon juice (white balsamic or champagne vinegar okay) or 1/4 teaspoon balsamic vinegar (white balsamic or champagne vinegar okay)
1/2 teaspoon salt, to taste
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper or 1/4 teaspoon tricolor pepper, to taste
1 garlic clove, crushed and minced
1 1/4 cups water
1 cup uncooked couscous
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
basil leaves, for garnish (optional)

Steps:

  • In a large bowl combine the tomato, mozzarella, shallots, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and garlic, toss well then refrigerate, covered, to marinate for 30 minutes.
  • In a saucepan bring the water to a boil and gradually stir in the couscous; remove from the stove, cover, and set aside for 5 minutes.
  • With a fork, fluff the couscous then let cool.
  • Add the cooled couscous and chopped basil to the tomato mixture in the bowl and toss.
  • Garnish with whole basil leaves and serve.
  • Note: part-skim mozzarella cheese can be substituted.

FRESH MOZZARELLA, TOMATO, AND BASIL COUSCOUS SALAD



FRESH MOZZARELLA, TOMATO, AND BASIL COUSCOUS SALAD image

Categories     Salad

Yield five 1 cup servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups diced tomato
3/4 cup (3 ounces) diced fresh mozzarella cheese
3 tablespoons minced shallots
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 1/4 cups water
1 cup uncooked couscous
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Basil leaves (optional)

Steps:

  • Combine first 7 ingredients in a large bowl; cover and marinate in refrigerator 30 minutes. Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan; gradually stir in couscous. Remove from heat; cover and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork; cool. Add couscous and fresh basil to tomato mixture; toss gently. Garnish with basil leaves, if desired.

COUSCOUS SALAD WITH FRESH CORN



Couscous Salad With Fresh Corn image

A wonderful fresh cold pasta salad for summer. Note: You will have about twice as much dressing as you will need for this recipe. Save extra for salad.

Provided by Irmgard

Categories     Corn

Time 40m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 19

4 cups couscous
4 cups water
3/4 cup vegetable oil
6 ears fresh corn, cooked and cut off cob
1/2 cup sesame seeds, toasted
1/2 cup cilantro
2 cups spinach, chiffonade
3 cups tomatoes, chopped
2 cups avocados, cubed and tossed with a little dressing
salt and pepper
1 3/4 cups vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups rice wine vinegar
1/2 cup sesame oil
2 tablespoons garlic
1 teaspoon coriander, ground
1 teaspoon white pepper, ground
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce

Steps:

  • Boil water, pour over couscous, cover and let sit for 10 minutes.
  • Fluff couscous, toss with oil and cool.
  • (note: couscous can be toasted in a pan with olive oil first if desired).
  • Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
  • Toss with enough dressing to just coat.
  • Adjust seasoning.
  • Dressing:Blend all ingredients in food processor or blender.

FRESH COUSCOUS SALAD



Fresh Couscous Salad image

Provided by Melissa d'Arabian : Food Network

Time 10m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

3 cups cooked couscous, cooled
1/2 pound green beans, trimmed
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1 large shallot, chopped
6 ounces mozzarella cheese, cubed
1/2 cup Hidden Valley® Farmhouse Originals® Italian with Herbs Dressing
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
Salt and pepper

Steps:

  • In a small sauce pan, blanch the green beans by boiling in liberally salted water for 3 minutes. Drain and cool. In a medium bowl, mix the couscous, beans, tomatoes, shallot, cheese and dressing until combined. Season with salt and pepper. Just before serving, toss in the basil.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh vegetables, herbs, and spices will make your salad more flavorful. Look for organic produce whenever possible.
  • Cook the couscous properly: Follow the package directions for cooking the couscous. Be sure not to overcook it, or it will become mushy.
  • Let the couscous cool completely: Before adding the other ingredients, let the couscous cool completely. This will prevent the salad from becoming watery.
  • Add a variety of vegetables: The more vegetables you add, the more nutritious and flavorful your salad will be. Some good options include tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, carrots, and zucchini.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment with different herbs and spices: A variety of herbs and spices can add a lot of flavor to your salad. Some good options include basil, cilantro, mint, oregano, and thyme.
  • Use a light dressing: A light dressing will help to enhance the flavors of the other ingredients without overpowering them. A simple vinaigrette or lemon-tahini dressing is a good option.
  • Serve the salad immediately: Couscous salad is best served immediately after it is made. The longer it sits, the more the flavors will meld together and the less refreshing it will be.

Conclusion:

Couscous salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or a side dish. It is a great way to use up leftover vegetables and herbs, and it is also a good source of fiber and protein. With so many different variations, there is sure to be a couscous salad recipe that everyone will enjoy.

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