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Couscous Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Bell Peppers

Rated 4 out of 5
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Couscous Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Bell Peppers
Although couscous is commonly mistaken for a grain, it is actually tiny pasta made from durum-wheat semolina. In North African countries such as Tunisia and Morocco, where it is a staple, it is traditionally made by hand and then steamed twice in a special two-tiered pot called a couscousière. Elsewhere, precooked dried couscous, sometimes called instant couscous, is available either packaged or in bulk. It requires no cooking at all, just rehydrating in boiling water, before serving.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings 8

Ingredients

  • 2 cups water
  • 1⁄4 cup plus 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 2 cups instant couscous
  • 1 1⁄2 roasted red bell peppers, peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped (see related tip at left)
  • 1 1⁄2 cups mixed red and yellow cherry tomatoes, stemmed and halved lengthwise
  • 1⁄4 cup chopped fresh mint, plus whole sprigs for garnish
  • 1⁄4 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1 Tbs. grated orange zest
  • 3 Tbs. red wine vinegar

Directions

In a saucepan over high heat, combine the water, the 1 tsp. olive oil and 1/2 tsp. of the salt and bring to a boil. Pour in the couscous, stirring constantly, then remove from the heat. Cover and let stand for 15 minutes. The liquid will be fully absorbed and the couscous will have plumped.

Transfer the couscous to a large serving bowl. Using a fork, fluff the couscous grains to separate them. Add the bell peppers, tomatoes, chopped mint, orange juice, orange zest, the 1/4 cup olive oil, the vinegar and the remaining 1/2 tsp. salt. Mix gently but well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 12 hours before serving to allow the flavors to blend.

Garnish with the mint sprigs and serve the salad chilled or at room temperature. Serves 8.

Make-Ahead Tip: Because this salad is best when the flavors have been allowed to blend for several hours, it is a good choice for making in the morning and taking along to a leisurely picnic. It can be carried easily in a covered bowl.
Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Collection Series, Salad, by Georgeanne Brennan (Simon & Schuster, 2001).
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Make sure to let it rest & the flavors will blend We made this for New Years and found it to be so-so when we first made it, great after sitting for 12 hours and excellent after sitting 24 hours. We also found if you feel it is too bland, adding just a drizzle of lemon infused balsalmic really yummies it up. It does completely change the flavor, but pairs well with the flavors in the dish already.
Date published: 2013-01-13
Rated 3 out of 5 by from Nice, but not exciting I had higher expectations from this salad, but found it to be a little bland. Then again, I did not make it ahead and let it sit for hours, so perhaps if I had done so the flavours would have intensified.
Date published: 2012-05-24
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