festive pomegranate couscous salad
Festive pomegranate couscous salad with pearl couscous, pomegranate seeds, pistachios, parsley, mint, scallions, lemon-ginger dressing – deliciously easy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 side servings 1x
- Category: Salads & Bowls
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups pomegranate seeds (1 larger pomegranate)
- 2 cups (300 gm.) pearl couscous, rinsed and drained (you can also use regular couscous or quinoa)
- 3 cups of water + a pinch of salt
- 4 scallions (white and green parts) chopped
- 2 cups flat-leaf (Italian) parsley loosely chopped
- ½ cup mint leaves, chopped
- ½ cup pistachios (opt for salt-free)
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 2 tsp. grated ginger
- ½ tsp. salt (optional)
- ½ - 1 tsp. red chili flakes
- ¼ tsp. ground black pepper
Instructions
- Remove the seeds from the pomegranate (look to my blog for advice on this).
- Add 3 cups of water plus a pinch of salt to a medium saucepan and bring it to a boil. Add the rinsed couscous, stir, reduce the heat and cover. Allow the couscous to simmer until the liquid is absorbed (15 minutes). For best results , follow the package instructions.
- While the couscous is cooking, prepare the dressing by combining 1 cup lemon juice, 2 tsp. grated ginger, ½ tsp. salt and ½ - 1 tsp. red chili flakes and ¼ tsp. ground black pepper in a small bowl.
- Prep the green onions, parsley and mint. Add these ingredients, plus the pomegranate seeds and pistachios to a medium salad bowl.
- Once the couscous is done, allow it to cool. I find it easiest to transfer it to a small mixing bowl and stir it a few times. Once it has cooled a bit, add the dressing to the couscous and mix well.
- Add the couscous to the rest of the salad ingredients and mix well.
Notes
- The prep time includes 10 minutes to cool the pearl couscous.
- You can use regular couscous for this salad or if you want a gluten free option, use quinoa in the same amounts (2 cups).
- You take a twist on the dressing by adding ½ cup of lemon juice and ½ cup of lime or even orange juice.
Keywords: pomegranate couscous salad