Summer Corn & Couscous Delight
Bright, refreshing, and bursting with flavor, this Summer Corn & Couscous Delight is the perfect cold salad for warm weather dining. It showcases the sweetness of fresh corn coupled with the nutty crunch of toasted sesame seeds and ripe tomatoes. Creamy avocados and fresh spinach add richness and texture, while the homemade dressing balances everything with zesty and savory notes. Ideal for picnics, barbecues, or any summer gathering, this salad is not only delicious but also visually stunning, making it a favorite for both family and friends. Plus, you'll have extra dressing to keep things flavorful for future meals!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
couscous
4 cups (uncooked)
water
4 cups (boiled)
vegetable oil
3/4 cup (for tossing couscous)
fresh corn
6 ears (cooked and kernels cut off the cob)
sesame seeds
1/2 cup (toasted)
cilantro
1/2 cup (chopped)
spinach
2 cups (chiffonade)
tomatoes
3 cups (chopped)
avocados
2 cups (cubed and lightly dressed)
salt
to taste (for seasoning)
pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
vegetable oil
1 3/4 cups (for dressing)
rice wine vinegar
1 1/2 cups (for dressing)
sesame oil
1/2 cup (for dressing)
garlic
2 tablespoons (minced)
ground coriander
1 teaspoon (for dressing)
white pepper
1 teaspoon (for dressing)
salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (for dressing)
sugar
2 tablespoons (for dressing)
soy sauce
1/4 cup (for dressing)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
2
Once boiling, remove from heat and pour in the couscous. Stir briefly, then cover the pot and let it sit for 10 minutes to absorb the water.
3
After 10 minutes, fluff the couscous gently with a fork, then add 3/4 cup of vegetable oil. Toss to combine and allow to cool to room temperature.
4
While the couscous cools, prepare the dressing by blending the vegetable oil, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ground coriander, white pepper, salt, sugar, and soy sauce in a food processor or blender until smooth.
5
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled couscous with the fresh corn, toasted sesame seeds, chopped cilantro, chiffonade spinach, chopped tomatoes, and cubed avocados.
6
Drizzle enough dressing over the salad to lightly coat the ingredients, and gently toss to combine. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper to taste.
7
Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to one hour before serving to let the flavors meld.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Summer Corn & Couscous Delight?
It is a bright, refreshing cold salad featuring fresh corn, toasted sesame seeds, tomatoes, avocado, and spinach mixed with couscous and a homemade zesty dressing.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, the recipe is vegetarian as it consists of grains, vegetables, and a plant-based dressing.
How many ears of corn are required?
The recipe calls for 6 ears of fresh corn, which should be cooked and have the kernels cut off the cob.
What type of couscous should I use?
The recipe uses 4 cups of uncooked couscous which is prepared by soaking in boiled water.
How do I prepare the couscous?
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil, remove from heat, add the couscous, cover, and let it sit for 10 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
What ingredients are in the homemade dressing?
The dressing is made of vegetable oil, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, ground coriander, white pepper, salt, sugar, and soy sauce.
How long does the couscous need to absorb water?
The couscous needs to sit covered for 10 minutes to properly absorb the boiled water.
Can I serve this dish hot?
While you can eat it warm, it is designed as a cold salad and is best served at room temperature or chilled.
What kind of vinegar is used in the dressing?
The recipe specifically calls for 1.5 cups of rice wine vinegar for the dressing.
How much garlic is in the recipe?
The dressing contains 2 tablespoons of minced garlic.
What greens are included in the salad?
The salad includes 2 cups of chiffonade spinach and 1/2 cup of chopped cilantro.
How should the tomatoes be prepared?
You should use 3 cups of chopped tomatoes.
What is the role of sesame seeds in this dish?
Toasted sesame seeds provide a nutty crunch and flavor to the salad.
Is there any sugar in the recipe?
Yes, 2 tablespoons of sugar are added to the dressing to balance the savory and zesty notes.
How do I handle the avocados?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of cubed avocados that are lightly dressed to maintain freshness.
Can I make the dressing in advance?
Yes, the instructions suggest you will have extra dressing that can be kept for future meals.
What spices are used for seasoning?
The recipe uses ground coriander, white pepper, salt, and standard pepper to season the dish.
Is this a good dish for a picnic?
Yes, it is specifically described as ideal for picnics, barbecues, and summer gatherings.
How do I prepare the spinach?
The spinach should be prepared as a chiffonade, which means cutting the leaves into long, thin strips.
What type of oil is used?
The recipe uses both vegetable oil (for the couscous and dressing) and sesame oil (for the dressing).
Does the recipe use soy sauce?
Yes, the dressing includes 1/4 cup of soy sauce for a savory depth of flavor.
Should the couscous be cooled before mixing?
Yes, after fluffing and adding oil, you should allow the couscous to cool to room temperature before adding the other ingredients.
How much water is needed to boil the couscous?
You will need 4 cups of water to bring to a boil for the couscous.
Can I use frozen corn?
The recipe specifies fresh corn from the cob for the best flavor, though frozen corn could be used in a pinch if thawed and cooked.
How do I combine the dressing with the salad?
Drizzle enough dressing over the combined ingredients to lightly coat them and gently toss.
How long can the salad be refrigerated before serving?
It can be refrigerated for up to one hour before serving to let the flavors meld.
Is there any protein in this salad?
While it is a plant-based side dish, it contains some protein from the couscous, sesame seeds, and spinach.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
The specific serving size is not provided, but with 4 cups of couscous and several cups of vegetables, it serves a large group.
Can I omit the cilantro?
Yes, if you are not a fan of cilantro, you can omit it or substitute it with fresh parsley.
Why is oil added to the couscous after cooking?
3/4 cup of vegetable oil is tossed with the couscous to keep the grains separate and prevent clumping as it cools.