Summer Lemony Cucumber Couscous Salad with Common Ingredients
Summers in the Northeast can be hot and humid, but that doesn't mean you have to limit your salad options to the usual suspects like greens and tomatoes. This summer's lemony cucumber couscous salad is the perfect solution for a quick and delicious meal. The ingredients are common and can easily be found in the kitchen or at any grocery store. Plus, this salad is so versatile—it can be served as a main dish or a side dish. Give it a try! You won't be disappointed.
I. What is Couscous?
Couscous is a delicious, nutrient-rich food that can be found at just about any restaurant or grocery store. Couscous is typically made with semolina as the base, with water added for moisture and then rolled into tiny pieces that are easy to chew without getting your hands dirty! Semolina is a type of flour that’s made from durum wheat. It has higher protein levels than all-purpose flour and gives couscous an even more nutty taste, although it isn't gluten free like pasta or other types can be depending on how they're processed.
The most common way people enjoy this dish though would have more spice than anything else: Hoisin sauce on top along side vegetables like carrots, etc., often served alongside chicken wings, which makes it perfect if you want something light yet filling too.
II. How Do You Cook Couscous?
Here’s how to cook the instant couscous that is readily available in most supermarkets.
-Bring 1 part of water to a boil in a saucepan. Alternatively, you can simply pour boiling water into a bowl. Stir in 1 part of couscous.
- Remove from the heat and set aside for 5 minutes, covered with plastic wrap or a lid.
-Remove the lid and fluff with a fork to break up the grains.
III. What to serve with lemony cucumber couscous salad
This fresh summer salad is the perfect side dish for barbecues and grills. You could also enjoy it with some other delicious food options, like garlic marinated chicken, a giant veggie sandwich, or Mediterranean turkey burgers!
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IV. Lemony cucumber couscous salad
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup pearl couscous
1 lemon, fresh
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 English cucumber
1/4 bunch of parsley
1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
3 oz. crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
-Bring a pot of water to boil. Add the couscous and continue boiling for about 5 minutes, or until tender but not overcooked. Drain in a colander, then rinse briefly with cool tap water before letting it sit dry—this will help keep your wonderful salad from getting soggy!
- Zest the lemon and then squeeze out about 1/2 teaspoon of its juice. You'll need 3 tablespoons for this recipe, but don't forget that it needs to thicken, so you may have as little as or more than four servings.
- In a bowl, combine the lemon juice and olive oil with garlic powder and salt. Mix thoroughly to coat all of your ingredients before adding some cracked pepper for flavor.
- Chop the cucumber into quarters, peel it, and cut it lengthwise. Then put those two pieces in a salad bowl with parsley leaves on top for garnish before serving!
-Add drained and cooled couscous to a large bowl with cucumber, parsley, and lemon zest, then pour dressing overtop. Stir together before serving immediately or storing in the refrigerator until ready to eat.
V. FAQ
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
There’s no substitute for fresh lemon in this Lemony Cucumber Couscous Salad, so don't suggest using bottled juice. The zest alone provides most of the flavor you'll get from your salad, and it just wouldn't be right to try something else when we're talking about quality ingredients like lemons!
Conclusion
Couscous salads are a great way to use up leftover vegetables and grains. This recipe for Summer Lemony Cucumber Couscous Salad is simple, yet flavorful, and can be made with common ingredients. The lemon juice and zest give the couscous a bright flavor, while the cucumbers add a refreshing crunch. You can easily customize this salad to your liking by adding different herbs or using other types of couscous. Check out our blog post Anya’s Eats to discover more easy delicious recipes that will make your taste buds happy. Thanks for reading!