This colourful Jewelled Giant Couscous Salad is like sunshine on a plate. Serve with grilled chicken skewers for an easy and healthy meal.
You will also love my Lebanese Tabbouleh salad
I have been so irritable lately that my husband all but shouted ‘what’s your damage Heather?’ at me yesterday. I blame the dieting. And January. Even though it is getting darker slightly later these days it is still predominantly depressingly dismal outside (and many other words starting with ‘d’).
This is not just affecting my mood and increasing the struggle to get out of bed in the mornings (that, I am afraid, is year-round struggle with me), it has seeped into my photography. Without even realising it, all my recent shots have been moody and dark, or steely grey.
So I had to make a very conscious decision to avoid the moody blues on this latest post. Luckily it is such a sunny recipe at heart it practically shines from within. The inspiration comes from Ottolenghi’s tomato and pomegranate salad which may well be the most addictive salad on the planet.
Addictive is usually reserved for brownies and chocolate cakes, but trust me when I say this recipe is the perfect combination of sweet and salty with amazing contrasting textures to keep you interested and coming back for more.
I have sort of expanded the recipe and taken it in the direction of a jewelled couscous with added spinach and herbs and a leaner dressing. It is perfect to serve alongside these simple chicken skewers – a healthy meal that will keep you satisfied while feeling virtuous.
What is Giant Couscous?
Giant Couscous is a type of small pasta made from different types of flour, usually wheat and semolina. Unlike regular couscous which has a very small grains, Giant Couscous is the size of small pearls and also known as pearl couscous or Israeli couscous.
You will need to cook this the same way you cook pasta – boil for however long the packet instructs until al dente. Drain and cool before using in salads or use in soups or risotto type dishes.
What to serve with Jewelled Couscous Salad
Although I have served this with grilled chicken the salad would happily accompany any number of grilled meat or fish dishes such as these Easy Lamb Kofta or my Marinated BBQ Boneless Leg Of Lamb.
Keep it vegetarian by serving it with grilled halloumi.
Jewelled Giant Couscous with Grilled Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
For the salad
- 200 g | 7oz cherry tomatoes quartered
- 85 g | 3oz giant couscous
- 1 orange bell pepper finely diced
- half red onion peeled and finely chopped
- seeds from 1/2 large pomegranate
- 2 large handfuls fresh spinach finely chopped
- 10 fresh basil leaves roughly torn
- 1 tbsp virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tbsp pomegranate molasses
- 2 tsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 small garlic clove minced
- pinch ground all spice
- salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
For the chicken
- 2 large skinless chicken breasts cubed
- 2 tbsp date nectar or runny honey
- 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses
- 1 small garlic clove minced
- a little rapeseed canola oil to wipe grill rack
- salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- If using wood skewers, soak 6 (you may only need 4) in cold water and set aside. Mix the chicken, date syrup, soy sauce, pomegranate molasses and minced garlic in a bowl and season well with salt and pepper. Leave to marinate while you prepare the couscous.
- Boil the couscous for 8-10 minutes until al dente (or follow packet instructions). Rinse, drain and set aside to cool.
- Put the tomatoes, onion, pepper, pomegranate seeds, spinach and basil leaves in a large bowl.
- Mix the olive oil, vinegar, garlic clove together, add to the bowl and toss everything together.
- Stir in the couscous, sprinkle with the ground allspice, season well with salt and pepper and set aside – the salad can be made an hour or two in advance and kept in the fridge.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high. Thread the chicken on the skewers. Wipe a little oil over the grill rack and then cook the skewers for about 5 minutes per side, or until the chicken is fully cooked.
- For added gloss, drain any marinade juices into a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat for a few minutes until you have a sticky glaze. Brush over the skewers before serving.
Louise | Cygnet Kitchen says
Dieting always feels like such a punishment when you love good food. I am just trying to cut back on the sweet stuff but it just makes me crave it more. This salad looks so beautiful and colourful, January feels more cheerful already! x
Hannah Hossack-Lodge says
My partner refuses to speak to me if I'm dieting as I get so grumpy…the cold, dark and near constant rain really don't help either! The salad looks beautiful, I love all the different colours and textures and I think it would work really well with some halloumi, paneer or tofu in place of the chicken 🙂 x
Julia@Vikalinka says
I can definitely relate to what you are feeling, especially today with my especially murderous commute. I love any salad that could be described as addictive. Lovely colours! And the new print feature is so handy. Well done, Lucy!!
Lucy Parissi says
There's something totally addictive about pomegranate molasses. And date nectar is a new favourite too.
Low Carb Recipes says
Ooh giant couscous looks so good! Never heard of it before.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
The couscous looks absolutely beautiful – so colourful and just the thing to pull you out of the winter slump! Here's hoping the sun rears its head soon! 🙂
Katie Bryson says
What a riot of colour Lucy – perfect for these dank January days. Food photography is all but impossible at the moment which takes the wind out of a food blogger's sails doesn't it. I've gone veggie for January so this couscous salad is perfect for supper… i'll substitute the chicken for tofu as I think the marinade will be fabulous 🙂
Lucy Parissi says
I think I needed some cheerful food to perk me up and this is certainly very colourful and summery. Can't wait for the brighter days….
Angela Field says
Dieting makes me grumpy and I don't know if it's just me, but I feel like I have to layer up more. I hate getting cold as well.
This looks perfect healthy lunchbox material! Love the colours in this – so vibrant.
Lucy Parissi says
Yup – same here. I was a block of ice last night even though I was wearing a million layers and wrapped in a knitted throw like a giant burrito!
Nadia says
I don't think your shots have been gloomy and dark at all! In fact, your photos are some of the best I've seen! This Jewelled cous cous looks absolutely delicious! I can imagine me being addicted to it 😀
Sarah Montgomery says
Dieting makes me irritable too – or I just get grumpy in general when hungry. Hehe. I'm loving all the colours of this dish, sounds lovely. 🙂
Lucy Parissi says
I miss the chocolate… and the cocktails. But I am not going hungry 🙂