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.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

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

Directions

Step 1

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.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

Fluff the couscous with a fork and transfer it to a large bowl to cool.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

Chop the dried apricots into small pieces and add them along with the raisins to the bowl.

Step 6

Finely chop the parsley and mint leaves, and stir them into the salad mixture.

Step 7

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, lemon juice, ground cumin, and ground cinnamon to create the dressing.

Step 8

Pour the dressing over the couscous mixture and toss until all ingredients are well combined.

Step 9

Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 10

Serve chilled or at room temperature as a side dish or light meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	964.1 grams (964.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	493

Total Fat 2.00g	3%
Saturated Fat 0.30g	2%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.20g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1531mg	67%
Total Carbohydrate 116.50g	42%
Dietary Fiber 13.50g	48%
Total Sugars 52.70g
Protein 13.70g	27%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 271mg	21%
Iron 9mg	49%
Potassium 1837mg	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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 3.3%

Protein: 10.2%

Carbs: 86.5%