Vibrant Curried Couscous Salad with Cranberry and Chickpeas
Brighten up your meal rotation with this colorful and aromatic Curried Couscous Salad. This delightful dish combines fluffy couscous with the sweetness of dried cranberries and the heartiness of chickpeas, all enriched with a touch of curry and fresh herbs. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a nutritious side dish, this salad can be made ahead of time and served chilled, making it an ideal choice for warm weather dining. Packed with textures and flavors, it’s a refreshing alternative to traditional pasta and potato salads that is not only low in cholesterol but also bursting with nutrients.
N/A
Servings
270
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
couscous
10 ounces (uncooked)
dried cranberries
1 cup (none)
frozen peas
1 cup (thawed)
curry powder
1/2 teaspoon (none)
boiling water
2 cups (none)
green onion
1/4 cup (thinly sliced)
fresh basil
1/4 cup (finely chopped)
chickpeas
15 ounces (rinsed and drained)
fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup (none)
orange rind
1 tablespoon (grated)
water
2 tablespoons (none)
olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons (none)
orange juice concentrate
1 tablespoon (thawed)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
garlic cloves
4 (crushed)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, combine couscous, dried cranberries, frozen peas, and curry powder.
2
Carefully pour 2 cups of boiling water over the couscous mixture. Cover the bowl with a tight-fitting lid or plastic wrap and let it sit for 5 minutes.
3
After 5 minutes, fluff the couscous with a fork to separate the grains and allow it to cool to room temperature.
4
Once cooled, stir in the sliced green onions, chopped basil, and rinsed chickpeas until evenly distributed.
5
In a separate jar, combine the lemon juice, grated orange rind, water, olive oil, orange juice concentrate, salt, black pepper, and crushed garlic cloves. Seal the jar and shake vigorously until well mixed.
6
Pour the dressing over the couscous mixture and toss gently to combine all ingredients.
7
Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least one hour to let the flavors meld before serving.
Nutrition Information
6g
Fat
45g
Carbs
9g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vibrant Curried Couscous Salad?
It is a colorful, aromatic salad combining couscous, dried cranberries, and chickpeas with a citrus-curry dressing.
What are the main ingredients in this recipe?
The main ingredients include couscous, dried cranberries, frozen peas, curry powder, chickpeas, fresh basil, and a homemade citrus dressing.
Is this couscous salad vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian-friendly.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are 270 calories per serving.
Is this recipe low in cholesterol?
Yes, the recipe is noted for being a low-cholesterol alternative to traditional pasta salads.
How much protein does this salad provide?
This recipe provides 9 grams of protein per serving.
How do I prepare the couscous for this salad?
Mix the couscous with cranberries, peas, and curry powder, then pour 2 cups of boiling water over it and let it sit covered for 5 minutes.
How do I prevent the couscous from clumping?
After the couscous has sat for 5 minutes, fluff it with a fork to separate the grains.
What type of fruit is used in the salad?
The recipe uses 1 cup of dried cranberries for sweetness.
Do I need to cook the chickpeas?
No, you just need to rinse and drain one 15-ounce can of chickpeas.
What is in the salad dressing?
The dressing contains lemon juice, orange rind, olive oil, orange juice concentrate, garlic, salt, and pepper.
How much garlic is used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 4 crushed garlic cloves.
What fresh herbs are included?
The salad features 1/4 cup of finely chopped fresh basil.
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, it is an ideal make-ahead dish and should be refrigerated for at least one hour before serving.
How many grams of fat are in a serving?
There are 6 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 45 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What kind of peas should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of frozen peas that have been thawed.
How much curry powder is needed?
You will need 1/2 teaspoon of curry powder.
What size package of couscous is required?
The recipe uses 10 ounces of uncooked couscous.
Does the recipe use fresh lemon juice?
Yes, it requires 1/3 cup of fresh lemon juice for the dressing.
How much olive oil is in the dressing?
The dressing uses 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil.
What gives the dressing a citrus flavor?
The citrus flavor comes from fresh lemon juice, grated orange rind, and orange juice concentrate.
How do I mix the dressing?
Combine the dressing ingredients in a jar and shake vigorously until well mixed.
Are green onions used in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/4 cup of thinly sliced green onions.
How much salt and pepper is added?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
Is there water in the dressing?
Yes, the dressing includes 2 tablespoons of water.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 16 ingredients in total for this recipe.
When should I add the chickpeas and basil?
Stir in the chickpeas, basil, and green onions once the couscous has cooled to room temperature.
What is the purpose of the orange juice concentrate?
It adds a concentrated sweetness and citrus depth to the salad dressing.
Is this salad served hot or cold?
It is best served chilled after the flavors have had time to meld in the refrigerator.