Couscous Medley Salad

It is hot this week in California, high 90’s!

After spending the past school year in Chicago, I could not be more thrilled to go home for a Californian summer. I love the city of Chicago, but Chicago weather and I are not on the greatest terms. If Chicago weather were a person, we would not be friends—He’s misleading, unpredictable, and relentless. None of which I deem as friendly qualities. However, California weather and I are on great terms and this summer is no exception. But enough about the weather and on to the food!

There are many things I love about summer, but cooking inside is not one of them. Who wants to heat up the house even more by turning on the oven to cook dinner? Not I. Fortunately, this recipe only requires the usage of a stove for about 14 minutes (including prep time). And, the most challenging aspect of the recipe is chopping all of the veggies (I admit, I am a veggie lover). It is light, refreshing, and tasty!

After couscous has cooked for 10 minutes, remove from heat. Pour couscous into large bowl and let stand for 4-5 minutes. Mix in chopped veggies, herbs, lemon juice, and spices to taste.

Cover salad and chill in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Although you can serve this salad warm, I recommend preparing the salad in the morning, storing it in the refrigerator to chill, and serving it aside a tasty grilled entrée for dinner. It is also perfect to share at potlucks because it makes so much!

Recipe inspired by A Little Bit of Everything:

1 ¾ cup chicken broth or water

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 ¼ cup Trader Joe’s Harvest Grains Blend             (Israeli style couscous, orzo, baby garbanzo beans, and red quinoa)

1 small white onion, chopped

1 celery rib, chopped

1 medium carrot, chopped

1 small cucumber, chopped and seeded

2-3 Italian tomatoes, chopped

2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Salt and Pepper, to taste

In a medium saucepan, bring 1 ¾ cup chicken broth or water to a boil.

Add 1-tablespoon butter and stir in 1 ¼ cup Trader Joe’s Harvest Grains Blend. Bring back to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, chop onion, celery, carrot, cucumber, and tomatoes in uniform-sized portions. And chop mint and parsley.

Pour couscous into large bowl and let stand for 4-5 minutes. Fluff with fork.

Add chopped veggies, herbs, lemon juice, and spices to taste. Cover and chill in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Makes 10 servings

Nutritional Information**

Calories: 106

Fat: 1.7 g (Saturated .5 g)

Cholesterol: <5 mg

Carbohydrate: 19 g

Fiber: 2 g

Protein: 3.6 g

**Note: I calculated nutritional facts using a feature on Daily Burn.