I have had a busy week studying for my one and only midterm this quarter (don’t laugh, it’s really hard stuff!), so this calls for a easy lunch recipe: dried cranberry couscous salad! I used to always serve couscous as a side to a main dish just plain, but after I started experimenting with adding ingredients I realized there are many possibilities to liven it up. I love the flavor the dried cranberries add to this fresh salad, and the combination of cucumber and feta cheese is delicious. This couscous salad is an easy addition to your lunch bag: just throw all of the ingredients in a tupperware and you are on your way. It is best served chilled, but room temperature is also fine. You can eat it as-is or with an herb vinaigrette.
Yesterday I finally made time to get my hair trimmed. Am I the only woman who doesn’t enjoy getting my hair done? It just takes so much time! I always put it off as long as I can. Yesterday I looked in the mirror and said, “OK, I really need to get my hair cut.” I have been going to the same hair stylist for 2 years and she still doesn’t know my name, she just knows me as “flat iron girl.” Every time I see her she scolds me for using a straightener, especially because at each visit with her I promise her I will stop using is as much (which never really happens).
Anyways, back to this delicious couscous salad:
- 2 cups Israeli couscous
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2⅔ cups water
- ½ cup crumbled light feta cheese
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- ¾ cup NatureBox dried cranberries (http://www.naturebox.com)
- 2 tbsp red onion, finely chopped
- 10 cherry tomatoes, sliced in halves
- ½ cup cucumber, chopped
- In a medium-sized saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add couscous and stir occasionally over 5 minutes, until lightly browned.
- Add water and bring to a boil.
- Cover and turn down heat to low.
- Simmer for 10-15 minutes, until water is absorbed.
- Transfer to a large bowl and let rest 10 minutes to cool.
- Stir in red bell pepper, cranberries, red onion, cherry tomatoes and cucumber.
- Drizzle herb vinaigrette over the top and toss everything together.
- Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the top, or mix in.
- Serve chilled.
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Ha, I love getting mine done (it’s so pretty after) but 3 hours? Really? Can I bring my laptop?
Love the salad!
What a gorgeous looking salad. I love the colour the cranberries give it. Good luck for your exams and I’ll be at the hairdressers getting my mop sorted out tomorrow xx
Looks really good! Love the pops of color from the cranberries.
I love couscous – this salad looks delicious! And don’t feel bad, at least you have a semi-regular stylist, I haven’t been able to schedule time consistently with the same stylist ever. You’re totally right, it just takes so much time!
Good luck with your midterm!
Thanks Claire! Glad I’m not the only one, haha!
I love this kind of couscous!! It goes so well with parsley and tomatoes. I can’t wait to add the cranberries! Thanks for sharing!
I love how versatile couscous can be 🙂
The couscous salad looks amazing, very vibrant and colorful! I can’t stand getting my hair done either, it used to take 3 hours when I had foiled highlights touched up, way too much time in a chair trying to make small talk!
Thank you Christine!
I thank you humbly for shnarig your wisdom JJWY
This look so yummy!
Thank you!
Great looking salad! My wife hates getting her hair cut too, and always puts it off as long as possible (so do I, for that matter). So I certainly know where you’re coming from on this!
Thank you John!
What herb vinaigrette did you use?
Hi Marie – this is one I like http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/simple-green-salad-with-herb-vinaigrette-recipe.html