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Couscous Salad with Dried Cranberries and Pecans Recipe

User Rating4.0 out of 5 (1 Review)  Write a Review

From Simple Vegetarian Pleasures by Jeanne Lemlin (Harper Collins), About.com Guest

Along with couscous, cranberries, and pecans, this salad also includes peas, scallions, cucumbers, and fresh basil. It is topped with an easy lemon garlic dressing. The salad may be served warm, at room temperature or chilled.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup shelled pecans
  • 1-1/2 cups couscous
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 1 cup thawed frozen peas
  • 3 scallions, very thinly sliced
  • 2 medium cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and diced
  • 1/4 cup shredded fresh basil
  • .
  • Lemon Dressing:
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/3 cup lemon juice
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/3 cup olive oil

Preparation:

Toast the pecans in a shallow pan in a preheated 350-degree F. oven until very fragrant, about 7 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Place the couscous, cranberries, and turmeric in a large bowl. Pour in the boiling water, stir, then cover the bowl with a large plate or foil. Let sit for 10 minutes. Remove the cover, then fluff the couscous with a fork. Cover again and let sit 5 more minutes.

Stir in the pecans, peas, scallions, cucumbers, and basil.

Combine the dressing ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake vigorously.

Yield: 4 servings

Source: Simple Vegetarian Pleasures by Jeanne Lemlin (Harper Collins)
Reprinted with permission.

4 out of 5 4 out of 5
Great combo of flavours. Delicious & nutritiousDecember 25, 2007By marfieonline
"Easy-to-find ingredients that combine really nicely. The recipe says for four people but it's more like 6 or even 8, unless it's the only dish being served. We had tons left over after feeding five adults. Fairly easy to make, but I did find it took quite some time to prepare: toasting the pecans and preparing the cukes. It is also quite nice without the dressing, which can save prep time."

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