African Couscous Salad
Bursting with vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients, this African Couscous Salad is a delightful fusion of fresh vegetables, dried fruits, and aromatic spices. Perfect as a side dish or light meal, it combines fluffy couscous with juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, sweet dried apricots, and chewy raisins for a delightful mix of textures. Elevated by a tangy lemon-cumin dressing with a hint of cinnamon, this dish offers a bold yet balanced flavor profile. Fresh parsley and mint add a refreshing herbal twist, making it ideal for summer gatherings or meal prep. Ready in just 25 minutes, this colorful and nutritious salad is a must-try for fans of global cuisine.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup Couscous
- 1.25 cups Water
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoons Salt
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes
- 1 Cucumber
- 1 Red bell pepper
- 0.25 Red onion
- 0.5 cup Dried apricots
- 0.25 cup Raisins
- 0.25 cup Fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons Fresh mint
- 3 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
- 0.25 teaspoons Ground cinnamon
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, bring 1.25 cups of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 0.5 teaspoons of salt.
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the couscous. Cover and let it sit for 5 minutes until the couscous absorbs all the water.
Fluff the couscous with a fork and transfer it to a large bowl to cool.
Slice the cherry tomatoes into halves, dice the cucumber and red bell pepper, and finely chop the red onion. Add the vegetables to the couscous.
Chop the dried apricots into small pieces and add them along with the raisins to the bowl.
Finely chop the parsley and mint leaves, and stir them into the salad mixture.
In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, lemon juice, ground cumin, and ground cinnamon to create the dressing.
Pour the dressing over the couscous mixture and toss until all ingredients are well combined.
Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve chilled or at room temperature as a side dish or light meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
493 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 2.0 g | 3% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.3 g | 2% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1531 mg | 67% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 116.5 g | 42% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 13.5 g | 48% | |
| Total Sugars | 52.7 g | ||
| Protein | 13.7 g | 27% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 271 mg | 21% | |
| Iron | 8.9 mg | 49% | |
| Potassium | 1837 mg | 39% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
