10 Minute Winter Couscous Salad

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Winter Couscous Salad

Fresh, filling, salty, sweet, and fruity this Winter Couscous Salad is nearly everything you could ask for and only takes 10 minutes to make!

Course Main Course, Side Dish, Stuff in a Bowl

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Servings 3 -4

Author Brewing Happiness

Ingredients

• 1 cup dry whole wheat couscous
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons vegan buttery spread
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 4 blood oranges, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 cup halloumi cheese (sub paneer cheese)
• 1/4 cup pistachios, roasted and salted

Optional additions:

• lettuce of your choice
• champagne vinaigrette

Instructions

1. In a pot bring your water, vegan buttery spread and salt to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, take it off the heat, stir in your dry couscous, and let sit while covered for 5 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, heat a skillet over high heat, slice your halloumi into 1/4" thin slices and cook each side for 1-2 minutes or until browned.
3. When the cheese is browned and delicious, assemble your salad starting with couscous, then add your sliced blood orange, avocado, halloumi, and pistachios.
4. If desired, add some lettuce to your bowl and top with your favorite champagne vinaigrette. Or simply just EAT UP.

I just returned from a week long trip to Los Angeles, my old stomping ground. And OMG IT WAS PERFECT. Not only did the universe give me 80 degree weather, but I also got to see all my LA babes and eat all the good food. It was so refreshing and inspiring to see trees that were bursting with citrus fruits and eat avocados that tasted like butter. Oh boy, I forgot how inspiring fresh produce can be. So this salad was inspired by my renewed love of fresh produce combos and sunshine. Basically this winter couscous salad is sunshine in a bowl. I hope it brightens your winter, no matter if it’s snowing or if it’s 80 degrees. I think this salad can fit all of those situations. 

The salad is pretty great flavor wise. You have the warm nutty flavor of couscous, paired with the creaminess of avocado, the fresh-sweetness of blood orange, the saltiness of halloumi, and the crunch of the pistachio. It’s basically perfect. *HOWEVER* if you want or need you can always make substitutions. Here are a few I could suggest to you…

• sub quinoa or millet for the couscous (although obviously the cooking time will differ for each grain)
• sub grapefruit for blood orange
• sub almonds or cashews for pistachios

Or you could even add some fish or shrimp or chicken to the top of the salad and make it a full family main meal deal. Or don’t, and serve it for a side salad that will blow everyones mind. THE SALAD IS YOUR OYSTER. (That doesn’t make sense, but whatever.)  I really enjoyed putting my winter couscous salad on top of some butter lettuce, drizzling it with some champagne vinaigrette, and adding fresh ground black pepper. BOOM. *It would make an excellent work lunch if I do say so myself.*

So no matter if your winter is grey and rainy and snowy, or full of sunshine and sweat. I hope this salad can bring some light and happiness to your life. There are some beautiful things in this world, and some delicious foods in this world. So I hope you put some yummy things in your mouth, and consequently add joy into your life. Sending you some winter love. MUWAH.