Refreshing Couscous Tabbouleh Salad
This Couscous Tabbouleh Salad combines the light, fluffy texture of couscous with vibrant, fresh vegetables, making it a delightful and refreshing dish perfect for summer picnics or side dishes. The dish retains the essence of traditional tabbouleh while using couscous for a unique twist. It's loaded with colorful ingredients such as tomatoes, bell peppers, scallions, and optional fragrant mint, offering a burst of flavors with every bite. The addition of crunch from pistachios and capers adds an extra dimension to this healthy salad. Serve it chilled or at room temperature for a light and satisfying meal that is great for gatherings.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
dry couscous
1 1/2 cups (uncooked)
olive oil
1 tablespoon + 3 tablespoons (divided)
vegetable stock powder
1 teaspoon (for seasoning)
boiling water
2 cups (for cooking couscous)
freshly strained lemon juice
2 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
salt
to taste (for seasoning)
black pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
medium tomatoes
2 (chopped)
red bell pepper
1 (slivered)
scallions
4 (finely chopped)
capers
2 tablespoons (drained)
shelled pistachios
1/3 cup (roughly chopped)
fresh parsley
1 cup (patted dry and coarsely chopped)
fresh mint leaves
1/2 cup (optional, roughly chopped)
Instructions
1
In a large bowl, combine the dry couscous with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of vegetable stock powder. Mix thoroughly to coat the couscous.
2
Pour 2 cups of boiling water over the couscous mixture. Stir to evenly distribute the ingredients and then cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid.
3
Let the couscous sit for 10 minutes, allowing it to absorb the water and soften. Once done, uncover and fluff the couscous with a fork to break up any clumps.
4
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste.
5
Pour the dressing over the fluffed couscous and mix gently until evenly coated.
6
Fold in the chopped tomatoes, slivered red bell pepper, finely chopped scallions, and capers. Toss until all ingredients are well combined.
7
Gently stir in the coarsely chopped parsley, optional mint leaves, and shelled pistachios for added texture.
8
Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning as needed with additional lemon juice, salt, or pepper.
9
Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving, or serve it at room temperature.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Refreshing Couscous Tabbouleh Salad?
It is a light and vibrant salad that combines fluffy couscous with fresh vegetables like tomatoes and bell peppers, inspired by traditional tabbouleh.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this salad is marked with a vegetarian tag and contains no meat products.
How much dry couscous is needed?
The recipe requires 1 1/2 cups of dry, uncooked couscous.
Do I need to cook the couscous on the stove?
No, you simply pour 2 cups of boiling water over the seasoned couscous and let it sit covered for 10 minutes.
What is the purpose of the vegetable stock powder?
It is used to season the couscous while it absorbs the boiling water for extra flavor.
How long should the couscous sit before fluffing?
The couscous should sit covered for 10 minutes to allow it to soften.
How do I prevent the couscous from clumping?
The instructions recommend mixing the dry couscous with 1 tablespoon of olive oil before adding water and fluffing it with a fork afterward.
What ingredients are in the dressing?
The dressing consists of freshly strained lemon juice, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste.
How many tomatoes are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 medium tomatoes, chopped.
What kind of bell pepper is recommended?
The recipe uses 1 slivered red bell pepper.
How should the scallions be prepared?
You should use 4 scallions that have been finely chopped.
Do I need to drain the capers?
Yes, the recipe specifies 2 tablespoons of drained capers.
What kind of nuts are added for crunch?
The recipe includes 1/3 cup of roughly chopped shelled pistachios.
Which fresh herbs are included?
The salad uses 1 cup of coarsely chopped fresh parsley and an optional 1/2 cup of fresh mint leaves.
Is the mint mandatory?
No, the fresh mint leaves are listed as an optional ingredient.
How should the parsley be prepared?
The parsley should be patted dry and coarsely chopped.
Can I serve this salad immediately?
While it can be served at room temperature, it is recommended to chill it for at least 30 minutes.
Is this a good dish for summer?
Yes, it is described as a refreshing dish perfect for summer picnics.
What is the total amount of olive oil used?
A total of 4 tablespoons of olive oil is used, divided between the couscous preparation and the dressing.
How do I adjust the final seasoning?
You can taste the salad and add more lemon juice, salt, or pepper as needed.
Can this be served as a main meal?
Yes, it is described as a light and satisfying meal or a side dish.
What makes this a 'twist' on traditional tabbouleh?
It uses couscous instead of the traditional bulgur wheat.
What is the texture of the salad?
It is light and fluffy due to the couscous, with added crunch from pistachios and capers.
Is there a specific way to fluff the couscous?
The recipe suggests using a fork to break up any clumps once the water is absorbed.
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
The recipe recommends freshly strained lemon juice for the best flavor.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include salad, couscous, tabbouleh, mediterranean, vegetarian, summer, healthy, fresh, and sidedish.
Is the salad served hot or cold?
It is best served chilled or at room temperature.
How many servings does this make?
The exact number of servings is not specified, but it uses 1.5 cups of dry couscous and various vegetables.
What does 'slivered' mean for the bell pepper?
It means the red bell pepper should be cut into thin, long strips.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
The recipe has an ingredient count of 14 items.