Delicious Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Fresh Herbs and Citrus Dressing

Ingredients

- 1 cup Israeli couscous
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (for cooking couscous) + extra to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 English cucumber, diced
- 1 medium tomato, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup raisins

Instructions

1. Prepare the Israeli Couscous:
- In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add 1 cup of Israeli couscous and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the couscous is tender and the water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature.

2. Make the Citrus Dressing:
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon of honey, the zest and juice of 1 lemon, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and black pepper to taste. Mix until emulsified and set aside.

3. Prepare the Vegetables and Herbs:
- Dice 1 English cucumber and 1 medium tomato. Chop 1/4 cup each of fresh parsley, cilantro, and basil. Chop 2 tablespoons each of fresh dill and mint.

4. Assemble the Salad:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled couscous, cucumber, tomato, herbs, 1/4 cup of walnuts, and 1/4 cup of raisins. Pour the citrus dressing over the salad and toss to combine until all ingredients are evenly coated.

5. Season and Serve:
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if needed. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours to let flavors meld before serving.

Preparation & Cooking Times

- PT35M
35 minutes

Total Time

- PT35M
35 minutes

Type of Dish

- Lunch

Keywords

- Mediterranean
- Couscous Salad
- Lunch Recipe
- Citrus Dressing
- Healthy Salad
- Vegetarian
- Fresh Herbs
- Quick Lunch
- Nutritious Meal
- Flavorful Salad

Recipe Yield

- Feeds 4 adults

Calories

- 850 calories for the entire dish

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