Saturday, November 26, 2011

Greek Couscous Salad


Spending two weeks in Italy we surprisingly came across Greek Salads in nearly every restaurant.  While I'm not a big fan of the olives, which are usually a big part of Greek anything, I do love everything else about the salads.  Internet searches provide various versions of Greek dressings, however the main ingredients seem to include:  a good olive oil, red wine vinegar and lemon.

Adding couscous for substance, arugula (just because I love it) and avocado to give it a California twist, I put together a version of my own which I enjoyed so much I've actually made it twice in the last week.

Light and flavorful, the salad is chock-full of fresh, healthy veggies along with the substance of the tiny pastas making it a perfectly satisfying lunch.  I can definitively say that a piece of that leftover Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie makes a delightful finish...


Greek Couscous Salad with Avocado
This is one of those salads where I used what I had on hand... a handful of tomatoes, the end of a cucumber, a few slices of onion, etc.  Slightly different every time we make it, it's one of those that just works.  Garbanzo beans (chick peas) would make a nice addition...

1 cup water
1 cup dry couscous

1 1/2 Tbs good quality olive oil
2 Tbs red wine vinegar
1-2 Tbs freshly squeezed lemon
dash or two of dried oregano

handful of chopped tomatoes
handful of chopped cucumber
1-2 slices of red onion, chopped
1/2  avocado, diced
handful of arugula
salt and pepper to taste

Bring the water to a boil in a small sauce pan.  Add the couscous, stir, cover and turn off the heat.  After about 5 minutes the couscous will be ready to be fluffed.  Set aside.

While couscous is cooking mix the olive oil, vinegar, lemon and oregano.  Set aside.

Add the chopped tomatoes, cucumber and onion to a medium bowl.  Gently stir in the dressing.  Add a portion of the couscous depending on if you prefer your salad to be more veggies or more pasta.

Place a handful of arugula on a plate.  Drizzle with olive oil if you like, toss and sprinkle with salt.  Scoop the couscous salad on top of the arugula and top with avocado and feta.  Sprinkle with more salt and pepper if desired.  Enjoy!



29 comments:

  1. Yum...perfect after two days of heavy eating. And? Thanks for leaving out the olives...I think they're yicky too!!!

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  2. this looks great - light and healthy!

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  3. So you come home from Italy and make a salad. I come home and make pasta and pizza. Can I blame the fact that I was in the north for that? :)

    This does look delicious. I'd have left the olives and removed the cheese. Still not a fan.

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  4. This sounds wonderful and fresh! And you are right, the perfect change from all the heavy thanksgiving food! Hope you had a great holiday :)!

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  5. Mmmmm....this looks outstanding! And I love that you traded the olives for the avocado...good move :)

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  6. This looks really good! I love avocados in salads! And such vibrant colours!

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  7. I love, Love, LOVE greek salads....and couscous! What a brilliant addition! Buzzed!

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  8. The avocado and cous cous in this really make it stand out, whilst maintaining its quick and easy nature. Really nice - I was just trying to think of quick dinners for the week - I think a version of this will be on my week's dinner menu!

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  9. Such lovely colours and so healthy. The addition of avocado is really nice.

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  10. I echo Mom Chef, but what a great salad! I would definitely add chickpeas. I think I could make a meal out of this. Great recipe (and inspiration.)

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  11. There's nothing like a couscous salad. Perfection and stodge-free :)

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  12. What a great salad! I love all the personal touches you've added, makes it sound even better. Thanks for sharing :)

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  13. I love couscous and I can't wait to try it in this salad. YUM.

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  14. i love this recipe! it's so healthy and delicious!

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  15. I love everything about this salad, and I have to say I love olives..not so much black as I do green! Have a great week ahead!xoxo

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  16. Something this light and flavorful is very welcome right about now! If I see one more piece of turkey...

    Avocados are so smooth and rich, I love the Greek spin on this couscous!

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  17. This salad is the perfect thing after a weekend of Thanksgiving left overs! It looks so fresh and yummy. =)

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  18. Kim, isn't that funny about Greek salads in Italy? Love your Californian sunny touch with the avocado and argula. Beauty!

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  19. eating healthy is a major issue for me...and you just made it look so much easier to do because this looks just amazing...I can already taste it. :)

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  20. Your salad is gorgeous, and you put your own spin on the salad, whatever is in the fridge. I love those kinds of salads, and healthy, too.

    Congrats on the Top 9 today!

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  21. Your salad looks wonderful! I have not tried couscous in a salad before. Thanks for sharing!

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  22. Congrats on top 9,you deserve it,these salad looks so delicious :)
    Ridwan

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  23. This looks gorgeous, delicious and good for you - a perfect combination. :) Ongrats on top 9!

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  24. Perfect timing on this, Kim, as I try to detox from a week of the richest food ever. I could so go for a Greek salad right now and I'm looking forward to trying your version. Cheers!

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  25. That looks so fresh and delicious. A perfect dish for post Thanksgiving.

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  26. Wow, that looks incredibly delicious and inviting!

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  27. Congrats on Top 9!!!! Well deserved and I am TOTALLY making this!!! <3

    xoxo
    jenn

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  28. This looks amazing! I've been making something similar with quinoa instead of couscous - but I absolutely love the addition of arugula and avocado! Definitely making this sometime soon.

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