Moroccan Desert Salad

Transport your taste buds to North Africa with this vibrant Moroccan Desert Salad, a harmonious blend of sweet, savory, and aromatic flavors. Fluffy couscous serves as the base, infused with the sweetness of diced dried apricots and pitted dates, complemented by the crunch of toasted slivered almonds. Fresh cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes, and fragrant herbs like mint and parsley add a burst of freshness to every bite. The zesty dressing, infused with lemon juice, honey, cumin, and cinnamon, ties the dish together with a subtle hint of warmth and spice. Perfect as a light main course or an exotic side dish, this easy-to-make salad is ready in under 30 minutes and best enjoyed at room temperature or chilled. A must-try for fans of Moroccan cuisine or those looking to elevate their salad game!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

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
• 0.5 cup dried apricots
• 0.5 cup pitted dates
• 0.25 cup slivered almonds
• 1 medium cucumber
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 0.25 cup fresh mint leaves
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 0.25 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon honey

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 teaspoon of salt.

Step 2

Stir in the couscous, cover the pan, and remove it from the heat. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.

Step 3

Dice the dried apricots and pitted dates into small pieces. Toast the slivered almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Set aside.

Step 4

Dice the cucumber into small cubes and halve the cherry tomatoes. Chop the fresh mint leaves and parsley finely.

Step 5

In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 0.25 teaspoons of ground cinnamon, 0.25 teaspoons of ground cumin, and 1 teaspoon of honey. Whisk together until emulsified.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the prepared couscous, diced apricots, dates, toasted almonds, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, mint, and parsley. Pour the dressing over the mixture and toss gently to combine.

Step 7

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or lemon juice as needed.

Step 8

Serve the salad at room temperature or slightly chilled. Garnish with extra mint leaves if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1151.5 grams (1151.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1180

Total Fat 46.80g	60%
Saturated Fat 5.70g	29%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.80g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1524mg	66%
Total Carbohydrate 190.40g	69%
Dietary Fiber 25.70g	92%
Total Sugars 115.20g
Protein 23.20g	46%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 472mg	36%
Iron 12mg	66%
Potassium 2818mg	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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 33.0%

Protein: 7.3%

Carbs: 59.7%