Brighten up your mealtime with this vibrant and refreshing Fruity Couscous Salad, a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors! This colorful dish features fluffy couscous as the base, combined with juicy pomegranate seeds, chewy dried apricots, and raisins for a delightful fruity twist. Fresh herbs like parsley and mint add a burst of freshness, while toasted almonds provide a satisfying crunch. A tangy-sweet dressing made with lemon juice, honey, cinnamon, and olive oil ties everything together, creating a harmonious medley of flavors. Ready in just 25 minutes, this versatile salad is perfect as a chilled side dish for summer gatherings or a light, wholesome main course any time of year.
In a medium saucepan, bring 1.25 cups of water, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and 0.5 teaspoons of salt to a boil.
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the 1 cup of couscous. Cover and let it sit for 5 minutes to absorb the liquid.
Fluff the couscous with a fork and allow it to cool completely to room temperature.
In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 0.25 teaspoons of cinnamon, and 0.25 teaspoons of black pepper to create the dressing.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled couscous, 0.5 cup of chopped dried apricots, 0.5 cup of raisins, 0.5 cup of pomegranate seeds, 0.25 cup of chopped fresh parsley, and 0.25 cup of chopped fresh mint.
Drizzle the dressing over the couscous mixture and toss gently to evenly coat.
Top the salad with 0.25 cup of toasted sliced almonds for an added crunch.
Chill the salad in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve cold or at room temperature. Enjoy your Fruity Couscous Salad as a side dish or a light main course.
Calories |
1239 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 45.0 g | 58% | |
| Saturated Fat | 5.8 g | 29% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1564 mg | 68% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 208.2 g | 76% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 26.6 g | 95% | |
| Total Sugars | 132.7 g | ||
| Protein | 23.7 g | 47% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 538 mg | 41% | |
| Iron | 13.1 mg | 73% | |
| Potassium | 2837 mg | 60% | |
*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.