A Hearty Giant Couscous Salad for a Flavourful Autumn Transition

As autumn sweeps in, it brings vivid colours and delightful flavours. It's the perfect season to enjoy hearty dishes that nourish and refresh. One standout option is a Giant Couscous Salad. This dish is not only visually striking but brimming with flavour and nutrition. Imagine fluffy giant couscous simmered in vegetable stock, paired with crisp seasonal vegetables and an array of fresh herbs. It makes for an impressive addition to your autumn table.

In this post, we’ll guide you through crafting this simple yet satisfying salad, ideal as a side or main dish. Grab your apron, and let’s get started!

Giant Couscous Salad - The Recipe

Ingredients:

• 400g Giant Couscous:

• 1 Vegetable Stock pot:

• 1/4 Red Onion finely chopped.

• 1/4 Cucumber finely chopped.

• Fresh Herbs: mint, dill, and coriander, chopped

• 1 tsp sumac

• 1 tsp ground coriander.

• The juice of one lemon or lime

  
  

Method:

Cooking the Giant Couscous

Start by boiling a large sauce pan of water and add the vegetable stock pot. Once it reaches a rolling boil, add the giant couscous and lower the heat to a simmer. Follow the package instructions, typically cooking for about 10 to 12 minutes until the couscous is tender and light.

After cooking, drain any leftover liquid and allow the couscous to cool. This cooling step is vital as it prevents the couscous from becoming mushy while soaking up the salad's flavours.

While your couscous cools down, prepare the vegetables. Chop the red onions and cucumbers into small, bite-sized pieces. Aim for uniformity in size to ensure every bite offers a mix of flavours.

Combine the chopped vegetables in a large mixing bowl. The contrast between the vibrant red onions and green cucumbers makes for an inviting presentation.

Now, let's bring in the fresh herbs. Finely chop a handful of mint, dill, and coriander. In addition to enhancing the flavour, these herbs contribute a fresh aroma.

Gently fold the herbs into the vegetables, ensuring even distribution. This mixture will elevate your salad, enhancing both taste and aroma.

Sprinkle in sumac and ground coriander. Mix the spices thoroughly, ensuring they're well integrated into the salad.

To complete your Giant Couscous Salad, squeeze the juice of a lemon or lime over the mixture. This citrus addition provides brightness and helps balance all the flavors.

Toss everything well to combine. Taste your salad and adjust the seasoning if needed—maybe a pinch of salt or an extra squeeze of citrus for your preferred flavour profile.

Serving Suggestions

This Giant Couscous Salad shines in versatility. Serve it alongside grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or as a light lunch on its own.

For a complete meal, try pairing it with a Pet & Feta Salad. Such combinations of flavours and textures create a delightful dining experience, highlighting the joys of autumn.

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavours will blend even more overnight, making the salad even tastier. This makes it an ideal meal prep solution, ensuring you have a healthy and hearty dish available anytime.