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Fresh Israeli Couscous Salad

If the classic macaroni salad had a bougie relative, it would be this "Kiss Kiss Couscous" salad. Israeli couscous is pretty much the same thing as a macaroni noodle but shaped like a teeny tiny ball. When paired with sweet and crunchy sugar snap peas, green peas and radish, then mixed with an assortment of fresh herbs, then coated with a simple yet vibrant vinaigrette and finished with avocado, hemp seeds, and lemon wedges, it’s an elevated and fancy-ass version. You can’t help but raise a pinkie when eating. Fresh couscous bowl for the win!
Course Main, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine Middle Eastern
Keyword couscous salad, vegan couscous recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 1340kcal
Author Cara Cifelli

Ingredients

Couscous

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
  • 3 cups dried Israeli Couscous
  • cups warm water about 110° F

Simple Vinaigrette

  • cup red wine vinegar
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste

Salad

  • 10 ounces sugar snap peas
  • 2 cups frozen sweet peas
  • 1 cup radish thinly sliced
  • cup fresh herbs tightly packed and finely chopped (I recommend a mix of at least two of the following, but up to all four: cilantro, mint, dill or parsley )
  • ½ cup red onion finely diced
  • 2 green onions chopped
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 8 cups baby spinach leaves
  • 2 avocados cubed
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste

Garnishes

  • lemon wedges optional
  • hemp seeds optional

Instructions

  • Make the couscous: In a medium-sized saucepan, heat the avocado oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the couscous and stir for 30 seconds. Then, add the warm water and salt and bring to a boil. Cover, lower the heat to medium and cook until all the water is absorbed about 12 minutes. Drain and rinse with cool water, then set aside.
  • Meanwhile, make the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, garlic and maple syrup, then slowly whisk in the olive oil until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
  • In a medium-sized bowl, create an ice bath with ice cubes and cold water and set aside. Bring a medium-sized pot of water to a boil. Add the snap peas to the boiling water and boil for 3 minutes, then transfer to the ice bath to stop the cooking.
  • Defrost the sweet peas according to their package directions. 
  • In a large bowl, combine the radish, fresh herbs, red onion, green onions, garlic powder, sweet peas, sugar snap peas, and cooked couscous. Add three-quarters of the dressing and mix well.
  • To serve, divide the spinach equally among 4 serving bowls and drizzle each with some of the remaining dressing. Add a layer of the couscous mixture. Divide the avocado among the bowls, season with salt and pepper to taste, garnish with lemon wedges and hemp seeds and serve.

Notes

If making ahead of time, mix everything together as directed, except the avocado, which should be added just before serving, and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
For additional crunch, add some dry toasted slivered almonds.

Nutrition

Calories: 1340kcal | Carbohydrates: 140g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 78g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 55g | Sodium: 157mg | Potassium: 1626mg | Fiber: 21g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 15149IU | Vitamin C: 115mg | Calcium: 223mg | Iron: 8mg