Dried Cherry Couscous Salad
Brighten up your lunch or dinner spread with this vibrant Dried Cherry Couscous Salad, a perfect fusion of sweet and savory notes. Light, fluffy couscous forms the base for this Mediterranean-inspired dish, enhanced by juicy dried cherries, toasted slivered almonds, and a refreshing blend of fresh parsley and mint. The tangy citrus vinaigrette, made with lemon juice, orange juice, and a touch of honey, ties everything together with zesty elegance. Ready in just 20 minutes, this quick and easy side dish is as versatile as it is flavorful—serve it chilled for a refreshing summer dish or at room temperature for a hearty addition to your holiday table. Bursting with texture, color, and wholesome ingredients, this salad is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup couscous
- 1 cup water
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 0.5 cup dried cherries
- 0.25 cup slivered almonds
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, bring the water and salt to a boil.
Remove the saucepan from heat, add the couscous, and cover with a lid. 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 mixing bowl. Allow it to cool to room temperature.
In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the slivered almonds for 2-3 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, orange juice, honey, and black pepper to make the citrus vinaigrette.
Add the dried cherries, toasted almonds, chopped parsley, and mint to the cooled couscous. Gently mix to combine.
Pour the citrus vinaigrette over the couscous mixture and toss until well-coated.
Serve the salad immediately or refrigerate for 1-2 hours to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
874 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 59.6 g | 76% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.4 g | 37% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1525 mg | 66% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 78.5 g | 29% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.5 g | 30% | |
| Total Sugars | 29.7 g | ||
| Protein | 15.7 g | 31% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 284 mg | 22% | |
| Iron | 6.4 mg | 36% | |
| Potassium | 1043 mg | 22% | |
*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.
