Asian Couscous Salad
Posted by Aggies Kitchen on February 1st, 2010. Filed under: Aggie's Kitchen Original, Asian, Healthy, Healthy Meals, Salad, Salad Dressings.
Apparently I’ve been on a salad kick lately…at least from looking at my last few posts.
This one was another spontaneous creation. I was trying to throw together something quick to take to the park for lunch…a few moms and our kids were meeting up for an afternoon at the playground, and while the kids were eating their PB&Js, we ate this salad.
If you haven’t tried couscous yet, you must try it soon. It is so unbelievably quick to cook up, so that in itself is a huge reason why. Plus, if you are into whole grains, the whole wheat couscous is packed with protein and fiber…all good for you. I combined the cooked couscous with a bag of pre-shredded coleslaw, some additional shredded carrots, sliced green onion and sliced toasted almonds…then tossed with a homemade tangy vinaigrette made easily with pantry ingredients. The pictures shown are missing the almonds though…I forgot to add them until after the “photo shoot”! I probably could have gone back and retaken the pics but then in all reality who knows when this recipe would have actually been posted…
Enjoy!
Asian Couscous Salad
Recipe from Aggie’s Kitchen
1 cup uncooked whole wheat couscous
1 1/4 cup water
3/4 of 16 oz bag of pre-shredded coleslaw mix
2 carrots, shredded
3-4 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup sliced and toasted almonds
1/3 cup crunchy chow mein noodles (optional)
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil (or oil of your preference)
1 TB hoisin sauce
1 TB honey
1-2 cloves minced or pressed garlic
salt and pepper to taste
In small bowl, whisk together rice wine vinegar, oil, hoisin, honey, garlic, salt and pepper. Set aside.
Bring 1 1/4 cups water to boil. Add 1 cup uncooked whole wheat couscous. Take off heat and set aside for 5 minutes. Once couscous has absorbed water, fluff with a fork and let cool.
In large bowl combine shredded coleslaw mix, carrots, green onion and almonds (and crunchy noodles if adding). Add cooled couscous to mixture and gently combine. Add dressing to salad and toss. Taste for additional salt and pepper. Can be served immediately at room temperature or refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:04 am
Healthy & delicious….yum. I can have that for lunch, maybe with some chopped red chilies added to it.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:23 am
YUM! Sounds just fantastic. This would be a great side dish at my husbands birthday party! I might just have to make it. Thank you Aggie!
February 1st, 2010 at 1:50 pm
That sounds and looks wicked good. I’ve been trying to convince my girlfriend to try couscous, I’m almost there. Heh.
February 1st, 2010 at 1:57 pm
yum, this looks awesome! i’m a fan of couscous but rarely cook with it…need to try this!
perfect for a potluck too
February 1st, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Can’t wait for picnic season here in the Great White North.
February 1st, 2010 at 5:37 pm
wow that is a lot of flavor going on for a salad, I love it!
February 1st, 2010 at 5:45 pm
Mmmm…this is perfect picnic food!
February 1st, 2010 at 6:13 pm
keep the salad posts a’comin, i love them!
February 1st, 2010 at 9:04 pm
This looks fabulous Aggie? How have you been? Your site always makes me smile… bright and inviting.
February 1st, 2010 at 9:23 pm
Looks like a great way to get rid of extra cabbage, the old coleslaw gets old sometimes. I don’t know why, I feel like adding some raisins or dry cranberries in there too…
February 1st, 2010 at 11:19 pm
Love couscous, and now, love the idea of it in a salad – delish!
February 1st, 2010 at 11:49 pm
looks wonderful and fresh, yay for salad kicks!
February 2nd, 2010 at 5:50 am
I actually thought raisins would be great in there too! But didn’t have any… next time!
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Aggie, this salad is gorgeous…just look at the colors. I have been looking for a great and easy asian dish to try out and this one is definitely worth a go. Yummy!
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:17 pm
I am really loving the salads lately!
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:17 pm
What a wonderful yummy salad! My kids love couscous!
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:30 pm
oooh that looks awesome! I JUST bought couscous yesterday – love it!
February 8th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
I love the whole wheat couscous and all your yummy mix-ins. Okay, when are you going to write a cookbook????
February 10th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
I LOVE couscous and my husband doesn’t, so I have a whole container sitting in my pantry. This looks great to make for my lunches!