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Lightly Spiced Couscous Salad with Cucumbers and Red Onion

February 24, 2015 by Aida 18 Comments

After 30 plus years on this earth,  I’ve finally realized that there are a few things in my life that I NEED to keep my sanity. One is exercise – preferably outside in fresh air (Getting on a treadmill for more than 5 mile is pure torture for me). Two, at least 5 hours of sleep a night. And 3, nutritions, healthy, and easy to prepare food.  My solution for good food is definitely fulfilled by recipes like this Lightly Spiced Couscous Salad with Cumbers and Red Onion.

Lightly Spiced Couscous|The Crafting Foodie

As a mentioned in this post for chickpea salad, I struggle with lunch. If it’s not ready and available in the fridge, I just skip it. Then at 4 o’clock, I’m usually irritable and exhausted. My solution is simple: Make ahead salads packed with vegetables, healthy grains, and legumes just like this Lightly Spiced Couscous Salad from The Kitchn.

Couscous with Cucumbers and Onions|The Crafting Foodie

This salad is very easy to make and throw together. I use instant couscous. It’s made in about 5 minutes. The one finicky part of the recipe, if you can even call it finicky, is that the cucumbers and red onion must be cut very thin. As thin as possible. I hand cut mine, but if you have a mandoline slicer, then it’s even easier.

Spiced Couscous with Cucumbers and Onions|The Crafting Foodie

Aside from how delicious, easy, and healthy this Lightly Spiced Couscous Cumber and Red Onion Salad is, another reason I love it is that it’s a make ahead recipe. I make it the night before, giving  the couscous and the vegetables time to absorb the flavor of the spices and vinaigrette. Because the cucumbers and red onion or cut so thin, they also absorb flavor, making each bite of the salad so well balanced and packed with flavor. You could eat it immediately after making it, but it’s way more flavorful if you let it sit for a bit.

Light Couscous with Cucumbers and Onions|The Crafting Foodie

Since the salad already made with a grain, I don’t really feel the need to pair it with any sort of bread. I usually toss is with whatever greens I have in the fridge (spinach or kale), and just eat it with a fork. But, if I need to eat it on the go, I’ll wrap it in some romaine lettuce leaves. That way, the Lightly Spiced Couscous Cumber and Red Onion salad is contained in a neat, easy to eat package.

Spiced Couscous with Thinly Sliced Vegetables|The Crafting Foodie

 

 

Lightly Spiced Couscous Salad with Cumbers and Red Onion
Author: Aida Arain
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 5 mins
Total time: 15 mins
Serves: 4 to 6 Adutls
This light, nutritious, easy to make salad is filled with subtle flavors that blend perfectly together. The thinly sliced cucumbers and red onion are balanced with the fresh herbs and spies. It’s a perfect lunch or side dish at any meal!
Ingredients
  • 1 cup couscous
  • 1 1/4 cups water
  • 1 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
  • 1 cup flat leaf parsley leaves, chopped
  • 1/2 English cucumber, sliced very thin
  • 1/2 a medium red onion, sliced very thin
  • 1 medium lemon, zested and juiced (about 3 tbs lemon juice)
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbs honey, warm
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin powder
  • 3 ounces of feta cheese, crumbled
  • salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Boil the water in a large sauce pan. Once boiling, pour in the couscous. Place a lid on the pot for 5 minutes. Then fluff with a fork. Pour couscous into a large bowl.
  2. Add the chopped herbs, lemon zest, onions and cucumbers.
  3. In a small bowl, mix the lemon juice, olive oil, honey, chili powder, and cumin. Pour it over the couscous mixture.
  4. Add the feta.
  5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3.2.2885

 

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Filed Under: Lunch Ideas, Salad, Vegetarian

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Comments

  1. Suzan says

    February 24, 2015 at 3:45 pm

    Thanks for sharing! Can’t wait to try it! I am the same way, I tend to skip kunch..which is not good!

    Reply
    • Aida Arain says

      March 2, 2015 at 4:49 am

      Thanks Suzan! Try it, and let me know how it turns out. It’s also a great recipe for entertaining because you can make it ahead of time!

      Reply
  2. Cathy says

    February 26, 2015 at 2:51 am

    I love couscous and this looks flavorful and delicious! PINNED so I can make for dinner tomorrow! 🙂
    Cathy

    Reply
    • Aida Arain says

      March 2, 2015 at 5:17 am

      Thanks so much, Cathy! I love couscous as well – it’s so easy, filling, nutritious and it can take on pretty much any flavor.

      Reply
  3. Mila says

    February 27, 2015 at 1:20 am

    Hi Aida! I get nuts after 2 miles on the treadmill! And 5 hours of sleep for me is like no sleep:) I do eat my lunch on the clock though– I just get to hungry to go without! Love this idea of a salad. Looks so fresh and satisfying. I usually have some cooked eggs or meat in the fridge. I think I’ll try to add those for protein. Adding to my collection of salads on Pinterest.

    Reply
    • Aida Arain says

      March 2, 2015 at 5:21 am

      Hi Mila! I know – the treadmill is one of the fastest ways to get bored while working out 🙂 I hope you try the salad, and I think adding some protein is a great idea!

      Reply
  4. Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom says

    February 27, 2015 at 12:28 pm

    This salad looks so great! I want to take that fork and shovel it into my mouth!

    Reply
    • Aida Arain says

      March 2, 2015 at 5:25 am

      Lol! Kristen, it’s pretty delicious 🙂

      Reply
  5. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says

    February 27, 2015 at 5:48 pm

    There is nothing more refreshing to me than cucumbers! I love this dish, especially with the light seasoning. How nice!

    Reply
    • Aida Arain says

      March 2, 2015 at 5:26 am

      Thanks, Patricia! It’s very flavorful, but still light and refreshing 🙂

      Reply
  6. David @ CookingChat says

    February 28, 2015 at 12:51 pm

    looks very tasty & healthy!

    Reply
    • Aida Arain says

      March 2, 2015 at 5:26 am

      Thanks, David! It’s also so easy to make. A win in my book 🙂

      Reply
  7. Bridget/The Recipe Wench says

    March 6, 2015 at 10:52 am

    I love couscous salad. The cucumbers and lemon are such fresh flavors. Thank you for visiting the Inspire Me Mondays Link-Up. Have a fantastic weekend and we hope to see you back again next week!

    Reply
    • Aida Arain says

      March 12, 2015 at 3:47 am

      Thanks so much, Bridget! This salad is one of my all-time favorites. It’s so perfect for a light lunch or a side dish. I can’t wait to make this for a barbecue once the weather gets better!

      Reply
  8. Krysta @ KrystaSteen.com says

    March 9, 2015 at 3:25 am

    Sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing at Tips & Tricks! Hope to see you back this week! 🙂

    Reply
    • Aida Arain says

      March 12, 2015 at 4:19 am

      Thanks so much, Krysta!

      Reply
  9. Sherri Pelski says

    March 17, 2015 at 1:30 pm

    Aida,
    I was looking for a quick salad that I could simply add to lettuce for lunch that was healthy. This was so easy to pull together, and has great flavor. I am really enjoying it. Thanks for posting this. Great addition to my recipe box.

    Reply
    • Aida Arain says

      March 20, 2015 at 1:51 am

      Thanks so much for your sweet comment, Sherri! Quick, easy, healthy recipes are always invaluable 🙂

      Reply

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The Crafting Foodie is a simple, straight forward recipe and crafting journal where I share decadent desserts and healthy, easy to prepare weekday meals. Along with my concoctions in the kitchen, I also love crafting (especially knitting). The Crafting Foodie is my attempt to record all of the treats, recipes, and crafts I make for my family and friends. Read More…

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