GREEK COUSCOUS SALAD

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Greek Couscous Salad image

I'm not sure just where I got this recipe, but I've been fixing it for a long, long time, most often with bulgur wheat instead of the couscous. Prep time does not include setting time in the fridge.

Provided by Toby Jermain

Categories     Vegetable

Time 30m

Yield 5-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

10 sun-dried tomatoes (not oil packed)
hot water
2 cups cold cooked couscous
1 small unpeeled cucumber, seeded and coarsely chopped (about 3/4 cup)
4 -5 small radishes, unpeeled,scrubbed,stemmed,and chopped fairly fine (desirable) (optional)
3 -4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves or 1 teaspoon dried basil, lightly crushed
2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled,more to taste
2 tablespoons lightly toasted pine nuts
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar or 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano or 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, lightly crushed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Place sun-dried tomatoes in a large bowl, cover with hot water, and let stand 10-15 minutes or until softened.
  • Drain well, and coarsely chop.
  • Add couscous, cucumber, radishes, parsley, basil, feta, and pine nuts, and toss lightly to combine.
  • In a small bowl, whisk lemon juice, vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper until well combined.
  • Set aside for 5 minutes for flavor to develop.
  • Slowly add olive oil while continuing to whisk briskly.
  • Pour over couscous mixture, and toss to blend.
  • Cover, and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
  • Taste, and adjust seasonings before serving.
  • For some reason, this salad dissipates flavors like you wouldn’t believe.
  • You will probably need more of most dressing ingredients, especially more lemon juice, vinegar, salt, and pepper; but don’t add them into the initial dressing mix.
  • Add after the dish has set for a while.
  • Variation: Replace couscous with coarse bulgur wheat, preferably#3 (very coarse), available at middle-eastern markets and some specialty food stores.
  • To prepare, thoroughly rinse 1 cup bulgur in a strainer under running water.
  • Place in a medium bowl, cover with very hot tap water, add 1 Tsp salt, mix thoroughly, and set aside for 30 minutes.
  • Drain thoroughly, and use as noted above for couscous.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 438.4, Fat 16.4, SaturatedFat 3.6, Cholesterol 10.7, Sodium 461.5, Carbohydrate 61.1, Fiber 4.9, Sugar 4, Protein 12.2

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