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Food Faith Fitness

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Couscous Salad: A Mediterranean Meal {Flashback Friday}

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A quick and easy, healthy couscous salad featuring lots of bright, fresh vegetables. A great recipe to feed a crowd!

Mediterranean Couscous Salad - A quick, easy and healthy salad that is always a crowd pleaser! | Food Faith Fitness| #salad #recipe #couscous

This post brought to you by: I AM REALLY REALLY LAZY.

So, this couscous salad? It was one of the FIRST POSTS EVAH on FFF. And, you know what? (yes, lots of questions today) I still eat it ALL THE TIME.

I even brought it to my Bible Study a few weeks back because it’s just real good yo’.

So, since a lot of ya’ll weren’t around back in the beginning of FFF land, I decided to update the photos and bring it back fo’ yo’ taste budz.

Why a couscous salad like this is bringing out the gangsta in me, I have no idea.

OH and, for fun, I kept the original photos at the very bottom of the post. I also kept the original narrative.

Mediterranean Couscous Salad - A quick, easy and healthy salad that is always a crowd pleaser! | Food Faith Fitness| #salad #recipe #couscous

But, that wasn’t for fun. That’s because I’m lazy. šŸ™‚

READ ON and see the beginnings of FFF in what I am calling “Flashback Friday!” Enjoy your weekends lovelies!

 



The first time I made this I was in Wisconsin at Christmas time, meeting the hubster’s extended family for the first time. Scary stuff guys. I don’t know what possessed me to try out a recipe for the first time in a kind-of-a-big deal situation like that, but sometimes this gal be crazy.  No one out there had an idea what couscous was. To be honest, I am not even sure what it is myself. Is it a grain? A pasta? Can anyone help me, so silly things like this don’t plague my mind? I’m serious.

Anyways.  My now Grandpa-in-law (is that even what you call it? I don’t know.) thought that ā€œcouscousā€ was just the funnest word to say ever. Side note: as far as I know, ā€œfunnestā€ is NOT a word but spell check is not telling me to change it…have things changed? Am I misinformed? Again, someone help me please.

Mediterranean Couscous Salad - A quick, easy and healthy salad that is always a crowd pleaser! | Food Faith Fitness| #salad #recipe #couscous

I promise I am going to make it through this story by the end of this post, please stay with me…I also promise a delicious recipe awaits you at the end of my rambling.

So, I just remember him sitting in his chair going ā€œcoows coowsā€ over and over again and then laughing . Probably one the most entertaining and cutest things of my life. Seriously guys, feed it to your grandparents.

Now lets talk couscous salad. This recipe feeds a small army, but it also makes super duper leftovers! In fact, I like it better the next day when all the flavors have gotten cozy and comfy and have gotten their mingle on.  I’m having a new love affair with cous cous (but not one strong enough to trump my love of squash!) It is just so light and fluffy compared to something like rice.  I find it doesn’t give me that heavy feeling in my stomach, but it keeps me nice and full.  This salad is also just jam packed with our healthy little vegetable friends. The crunch from the cucumbers and red onion is the perfect finishing touch to the soft, airy couscous.  Not to mention the feta cheese…I don’t even have to tell you how this adds to the dish. It’s cheese. Cheese is good. Always.

Mediterranean Couscous Salad - A quick, easy and healthy salad that is always a crowd pleaser! | Food Faith Fitness| #salad #recipe #couscous

Finally the herbs and lemon dressing give it that nice, fresh zing that I think is the key to a perfect salad; grain free or not. You can even add some chicken or shrimp and pour yourself a nice glass of wine to make this a complete meal.

P.s If anyone is wondering, the couscous salad was a huge hit with the in-laws!

Mediterranean Couscous Salad - A quick, easy and healthy salad that is always a crowd pleaser! | Food Faith Fitness| #salad #recipe #couscous

And for fun:

mediterraneancouscous2

 

mediterraneancouscous

 

5 from 1 vote
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Mediterranean Couscous Salad

A quick and easy, healthy couscous salad featuring lots of bright, fresh vegetables. A great recipe to feed a crowd!

Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine Mediterranean
Keyword couscous salad, healthy salads, recipes with couscous, vegetarian dinners
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 10 People, as a side
Calories 107 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1/4 Cup White wine vinegar
  • 4 tsp Fresh lemon juice
  • 2 Tbsp Granulated sugar.
  • Salad:
  • 1 Cup dry whole wheat cous cous
  • 1/2 cup A Large red onion diced (about 1/2 )
  • 1 cups Medium cucumber chopped (about 1 1/2 )
  • 2 cups Large tomatoes chopped (about 1 1/2 )
  • 3/4 cup Fat free or light feta cheese
  • 3 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
  • 3 Tbsp Fresh basil sliced
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • 2 Tbsp Balsamic vinegar

Instructions

  1. In a medium sized pot,bring 1 1/4 Cups of water to a boil
  2. Once the water is boiling, add the cous cous, cover and remove from the heat.
  3. While your cous cous sits, dice the red onion, cucumbers and tomatoes.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together the white wine vinegar and lemon juice. Pop in the microwave for 10-15 seconds until warm.
  5. Add the sugar into the warm lemon juice mixture, and stir until dissolved. Set aside,
  6. Remove the lid from the pot, and fluff the cous cous with a fork. Transfer it into a large bowl.
  7. Add the chopped veggies to the cous cous, along with the feta cheese, Italian seasoning, basil and garlic powder.
  8. Mix until everything is combined and the Italian seasoning has been dispersed evenly.
  9. Pour the white wine vinegar mixture over the cous cous, mixing well.
  10. Season with a good amount of salt, and black pepper.
  11. Drizzle balsamic vinegar over the top and serve.

Recipe Notes

This is great served warm or cold!

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

If you try this recipe I would love to see it and share it! Tag me on IG @foodfaithfit, using the hashtag #foodfaithfit

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FOR THIS RECIPE, I RECOMMEND:

Nutrition Facts
Mediterranean Couscous Salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 107 Calories from Fat 17
% Daily Value*
Fat 1.9g3%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 4.3mg1%
Sodium 106.9mg5%
Potassium 123.3mg4%
Carbohydrates 19g6%
Fiber 1.4g6%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 4.8g10%
Vitamin A 375IU8%
Vitamin C 7.2mg9%
Calcium 29mg3%
Iron 0.6mg3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
(using light feta)

 


IF YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE, PLEASE REMEMBER TO TAG @FOODFAITHFIT AND #FOODFAITHFITNESS ON INSTRAGRAM! I LOVE SEEING YOUR RECIPE RECREATIONS!  šŸ™‚

 Want more easy salad ideas?

Healthy Grilled Ranch Potato Salad

Healthy Grilled Ranch Potato Salad

Pomegranate Persimmon Salad

Pomegranate Persimmon Salad

Bacon Kale Salad

Bacon Kale Salad

STAY IN DA KNOW (AND GET SPECIAL BEHIND-THE-SCENES INFO) BY FOLLOWING ALONG WITH FFF ON PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, AND TWITTER!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Alyssa {Cake, Crust, and Sugar Dust} says

    I’m loving the flashback! So fun to see old recipes revived! I only wish you would have posted this about a week ago so I would have seen this fab recipe when I decided to randomly make couscous for the first time without guidance! Definitely pinning so that I can actually make couscous that makes sense next time šŸ™‚

    Reply

    • Taylor Kiser says

      Haha oh no!! Without guidance either goes HORRIBLY wrong or AMAZING right in my books! I am guessing that it was the former for you? But I hope not!
      Thanks for the love and pin, I hope that the 2nd time is a charm! šŸ˜€

      Reply

  3. Derek the Zen Chef says

    This is perfect since I actually brought cous cous with me to Busan to cook something for my in-laws that they might find new and interesting; then we never ended up using it, so I brought the cous cous to Japan for three months, and didn’t use it AGAIN, and have now brought it back to Korea. In the ten more days before I head back to the states again, I am DEFINITELY using rit up somehow, and this will be a great way. Thanks for sharing!
    D

    Reply

    • Taylor Kiser says

      WHAT?! 2 times and not using it?! You have to make it happen Derek! I hope that you love this recipe….And, so cool that you’re in Korea…totally jealous!

      Reply

    • Taylor Kiser says

      Thanks Bri! I love me a good “leftover” recipe as well…since we have to eat a lot of those in this house! šŸ™‚

      Reply

  7. shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com says

    Your Flashback Friday recipe and it’s memory is the funnest evah! Apparently, not just love for your cous cous salad, but your gangsta talk is spreading too! šŸ™‚
    I love cous cous – I used to eat it all the time but I haven’t had it in awhile – thanks for reminding me I need it back in my life! Love your addition of white wine vinegar – I need to try that next time.
    Have a wonderful weekend Taylor!

    Oh hey – is it possible for you to have a recording of your presentation at HLS broadcasted on here?

    Reply

    • Taylor Kiser says

      Haha! YES! Is it wrong that the spreadage of gangsta speak makes me happier than the salad?
      Thanks Shashi! I hope you love it, I adore couscous!

      Umm…that I don’t know. Honestly, probably not šŸ™ I’ll ask, but they probably want to keep it for people that paid, you know?

      Reply

    • Taylor Kiser says

      Haha well thank you so much Gayle, you’re the best! I love me some couscous! šŸ˜€ Happy Friday lady! xo

      Reply

  10. Kelly - LEFT SIDE OF THE TABLE says

    I not only LOVE the story behind this post, but the fact that you revisited your very first one!! How special! It’s kind of unfortunate when you’re a new blogger, you put out some of your favorite recipes, but your photography skills develop so much that looking back at first posts can be daunting lol. Love the new pics, and really the old ones aren’t bad!! I love couscous, and love the natural full flavors you used. When I get in-laws, I will sure keep this dish in mind šŸ˜‰ Thanks sweet Taylor!!

    Reply

    • Taylor Kiser says

      Thanks Kelly! I am so glad you love my laziness! šŸ˜‰
      RIGHT?! That is how I feel about so many about my old recipes….And you’re sweet for saying the old photos aren’t bad. A sweet liar šŸ˜‰ ha!
      Thanks lady, happy weekend!

      Reply

  11. Melanie @ Carmel Moments says

    Oh! I love flashbacks. Amazing how practice helps immensely. I look back and my first photos and snicker. I’ve come a long back but have a REALLY long way to go.
    Love that salad bowl. It’s gorgeous (and so is that salad)!
    Happy Friday Taylor!

    Reply

    • Taylor Kiser says

      Right! There is only so much that Google can tell you before you just do it over and over and get better!!
      Thanks Melanie, happy weekend pretty lady!

      Reply

  12. Julia says

    5 stars
    I loooooooooove couscous! I’m going to feed it to myself. And my grandparents! Love the Mediterranean twist. Have a great weekend!

    Reply

  14. Rachel @ Bakerita says

    Love this Flashback! I have so many delicious posts on Bakerita from waaay back that so do not get the love they deserve because of my poor photo taking abilities. This salad looks absolutely delicious, and I love that it’s stood the test of time šŸ™‚

    Reply

  17. Nicole, RD says

    There are so many great recipes I need to remake and rephotograph and repost. If it’s good enough for a reappearance on the blog, you know it’s a winning recipe! Can’t wait to make this…I love couscous!

    Reply

  19. Stephanie @ Long Distance Baking says

    Such a fun idea!! I love seeing the old pics too šŸ™‚ This is basically how I make my pasta salad which I DEVOUR all summer longā€¦maybe I should try with cous cous (my computer just changed that to cow cowā€¦.) to make it a bit healthier!

    Ohā€¦and I totes say funnest, even though I don’t think it’s a real word either?? One of life’s great mysteries I guess šŸ™‚

    Reply

    • Taylor Kiser says

      HAHA @ cow cow.YES, try it with couscous…it’s YUMMAY!
      I am glad I am not alone in “funnest” It’s just such a great word!! Happy weekend lady!

      Reply

  20. Consuelo - Honey & Figs says

    Your photography has improved so so so much I’m jealous ahhh. And even that way, your first pics were loads better than mine was hehehe. I’m always frightened that people go into my recipe index and find them *ooops*.
    And the salad looks absolutely delicious and fresh. I’d love to give it a go anytime soon;)

    Reply

    • Taylor Kiser says

      Haha thanks girl! I am the same way, I never want people to see the old stuff! But, we all start somewhere!
      You should, I think you’d love it! Happy Sunday lady!xoxo

      Reply

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    a shout out from Dallas Tx! Just wanted to say keep up the excellent job!

    Reply

  25. JB says

    I couldn’t even get through the whole article because of the excessive writing and trying to be cute and ‘gangsta.’

    Honestly the most annoying thing about bloggers is when they go on and on before the recipe. Just show a few pictures and post the recipe. Get to the point!

    Your writing style is incredibly annoying and while I’m sure you have some great recipes, I definitely won’t be back to see any of them.

    Reply

    • Taylor Kiser says

      This is my writing style because it’s how I am as a person in real life, and I don’t believe in trying to be someone you’re not. If you don’t like it, Feel free to just scroll down to the bottom and to grab the recipe and look at the photos. šŸ™‚

      Reply

  26. Daniel W says

    HOLY FETA! I just made this salad and let me tell you, it is unbelievable! I subbed good olive oil for the balsamic vinegar to add richness and doubled the portions for lunch the whole week. It’s incredible. The flavors work so well together and everything is just fantastic. if only it weren’t so ingredient heavy…but well worth it!

    Reply

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