A colorful, tangy, and crunchy couscous salad.

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This salad reminds me of laughter and cool breezes while dining al fresco in Greece. My family and I traveled there during my college years and the texture and unbelievable flavor of the food has never left me. Another thing I remember is how the table was central to everyday life; people gathered, they shared good food, and lingered over heart connections. 

I invite you to gather your community, set the table, and enjoy deep Christ centered conversation together. This salad will help you do it easily and without much fuss. You can grill some chicken and use this salad as a side dish and Listo! you have a healthy meal to share! 

Ingredients

1 medium sized glass jar or food storage container
1 small red onion (or a half of a large red onion)
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp coarse sea salt
1/4 tsp cumin

1 cup of pearl couscous /(I used a tri-color Israeli toasted one)/ 

2 cups of cherry tomatoes /cut in half/

1 English cucumber /cubed into medium sized cubes/ 

1 can of garbanzo beans /drained and rinsed/

1/2 red onion /thinly sliced/

1 cup feta cheese 

1/4 cup of fresh parsley /chopped/

1/4 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp ground black pepper 

1/2 tsp sea salt

For the vinaigrette 

1/4 cup of olive oil + one tablespoon  to cut the tartness after you mix the ingredients 

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1 lemon /juiced/

2 cloves of garlic /minced/

1stp dried oregano

salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Begin by gathering all the ingredients to your work space

2. Thinly slice the red onion and put them aside

3. Take a quart sized pan and fill it with water, add salt and a splash of olive oil. (This step is flexible. Cook the couscous like you would cook pasta or follow the instructions on the package.)

4. Bring the water to a boil and then add the couscous simmer on medium until the couscous is “al dente,” not hard but not too soft. about 8-10 minutes. Then drain the couscous, rinse under cold water, and set in the refrigerator to chill. 

5. While the couscous is cooking, finish chopping the rest of the vegetables. (Keep your eye on the stove, anytime I cook pasta inevitably the water boils over.) 

6. While the couscous chills, mix the vinaigrette ingredients in a jar and shake vigorously until well blended. Taste to check the tartness and flavor. You may need to add the leftover olive oil or more salt and pepper. 

7. In a salad bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, garbanzo beans, feta, cucumbers, red onions, and parsley. Then add the chilled couscous. 

8. Serve immediately or place in the refrigerator for a few hours for the flavors to meld.

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Deliciosa ensalada de cuscús

Ingredientes:

1 taza de cuscús de perla (yo use un cuscús de tres-colores)

2 tazas de tomates cherry cortados por mitad

1 un pepino cortado en cubitos medianos

1 una lata de  garbanzo escurridos y enjuagados 

1/2 una cebolla roja picada bien delgadita 

1 taza de queso feta 

1/4 taza de perejil picado 

1/4 cucharadita de comino

1/4 cucharadita pimienta molida

1/2 cucharadita de sal

 Para la  vinagreta 

1/4 taza de aceite de oliva + una cucharada para cortar la acidez después de mezclar los ingredientes 

1/4 taza de vinagre de vino tinto

El zumo de un limón

2 dientes de ajo picados

1 cucharadita de orégano seco

sal y pimienta a sabor

Instruciones 

1. Comienza recogiendo todos los ingredientes

2. Toma la cebolla y córtalas en rebanadas finas

3. Cocina el cuscús siguiendo las instrucciones del paquete, cuando el cuscús esté al dente, escurrirlo, enjuagarlo en agua helada, y ponerlo en la refri para que se enfríe. 

4. Mientras el cuscús se cocina termina de cortar el resto de los vegetales. 

6. Mientras el cuscús se enfría, mezcla la vinagreta en un frasco y agítalo vigorosamente hasta que esté bien mezclado. Pruébala para ver cómo está de ácido, podría ser que tengas que añadir más aceite de oliva o sal y pimienta. 

7. En una ensaladera, combina los tomates, garbanzos,queso feta, pepinos,cebollas rojas, y perejil. Después agrega el cuscús frío.

8. Sirve inmediatamente o ponlo en la refri un par de horas para que los sabores se mezclen. 

Buen provecho,

PIC Credit: Cameron Braun

Post also appeared in Eclecticshadesmagazine March/April 2019 Issue