Best Couscous And Dried Fruit Salad Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

CRAN-ORANGE COUSCOUS SALAD



Cran-Orange Couscous Salad image

I often create salads for summer using a variety of healthy, filling grains. This version with tender couscous is amped up by the bright flavors of oranges, cranberries, basil and a touch of fennel. -Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 40m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 18

3 cups uncooked pearl (Israeli) couscous
2 cans (14 ounces each ) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 large navel oranges, peeled and chopped
2 cups fresh baby spinach
1 cup crumbled goat cheese
1 small red onion, chopped
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup fennel bulb, thinly sliced, fronds reserved
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
8 fresh basil leaves, chopped, plus more for garnish
VINAIGRETTE:
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Prepare couscous according to package directions. Fluff with a fork; cool. In a bowl, combine couscous and the next 9 ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk together vinaigrette ingredients until blended. Pour over salad; toss to coat. Garnish with additional chopped basil and reserved fennel fronds.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 403 calories, Fat 16g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 12mg cholesterol, Sodium 335mg sodium, Carbohydrate 57g carbohydrate (15g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 10g protein.

CURRIED COUSCOUS SALAD WITH DRIED SWEET CRANBERRIES



Curried Couscous Salad with Dried Sweet Cranberries image

For a picnic, there's no way I'm going to pass on making couscous. Instant Couscous so easy, it's almost embarrassing. The only "cooking" involved is boiling some water. I love it! Of course, you need to add some flavor to the couscous, but that's not hard. When you spike it with curry powder, fresh herbs, and a splash of orange and lemon juice, no one will be complaining about blandness. This dish tastes great at room temperature, and that makes it a picnic no-brainer because you can make it hours ahead of time.

Provided by Dave Lieberman

Categories     main-dish

Time 20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 (5.8-ounce) box instant couscous
3/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1 tablespoon curry powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 orange, juiced
2 to 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 to 4 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced on an angle
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
1/2 lemon, juiced
3/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
Freshly ground pepper

Steps:

  • Stir the couscous, cranberries, curry powder, salt, and sugar together in a heatproof bowl. Bring water (amount will be listed on package directions) to a boil and pour it over the couscous. Add the orange juice. Give it a big stir, cover the bowl tightly and let it stand, giving it a big stir once or twice, until the water is absorbed and the couscous is tender, about 5 minutes.
  • Fluff up the couscous with a fork. Add the olive oil, scallions, parsley, lemon juice, and walnuts. Stir around until everything is distributed evenly throughout the couscous. Make up to 2 hours ahead of time and keep at room temperature until you're ready to serve. Check the seasonings just before you serve the salad and add salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Note: To toast the walnuts, spread them out on a baking sheet and bake in a 400 degree F oven until they turn a shade darker, about 8 minutes.

SWEET COUSCOUS WITH NUTS AND DRIED FRUIT



Sweet Couscous with Nuts and Dried Fruit image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     side-dish

Time 14m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 1/3 cups water
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup dried apricots, chopped
1/3 cup dried cherries, chopped
2 1/2 cups (about 1 pound) couscous
1/2 cup coarsely chopped toasted slivered almonds
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, if desired

Steps:

  • In a medium saucepan, combine the water, sugar, cranberries, apricots, and cherries. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar has dissolved, about 2 minutes. Stir in the couscous and remove the pan from the heat. Cover the pan with a tight fitting lid until the couscous has absorbed all of the cooking liquid, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Using a fork, fluff the couscous to break up any lumps. Add the almonds and hazelnuts and toss. Spread the mixture evenly on a baking sheet until completely cooled, about 10 minutes.
  • Transfer the couscous to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.
  • Serving Suggestion: Drizzle the couscous with 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil for a moister texture.

MIDDLE EASTERN COUSCOUS WITH DRIED FRUIT



Middle Eastern Couscous with Dried Fruit image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 15m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup raisins
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon coriander
1 1/2 cups packaged couscous
2 cups boiling water
3/4 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • In a medium saucepan, heat the oil. Add the raisins, garlic, cinnamon, cumin, and coriander. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the couscous to the saucepan, along with the 2 cups of boiling water and the salt. Stir once with a fork, cover tightly, and remove from the heat. Let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Stir with a fork before serving to fluff the couscous and combine the other ingredients. (This recipe can be made up to a day ahead and reheated over very low heat or in a microwave oven.)

NUMMY COUSCOUS SALAD WITH DRIED FRUIT



Nummy Couscous Salad With Dried Fruit image

Make and share this Nummy Couscous Salad With Dried Fruit recipe from Food.com.

Provided by trishypie

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 25m

Yield 1 cup, 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 1/2 cups boiling water
1 cup whole wheat couscous
2 tablespoons raisins
2 tablespoons craisins
1 (19 ounce) can chickpeas
3 green onions, chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped
1/3 cup dried apricot, finely diced
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup vegetable oil or 1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Put the cous cous into a large bowl and pour boiling water over top. Cover loosely with lid and let sit 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
  • Meanwhile, chop all your veggies and then add everything to the cous cous and stir well. Serve immediately or let sit in the fridge for a few hours. It tastes better the next day!
  • Enjoy!

Related Topics