Sadly this isn’t my own quote but it’s pretty good right? I’ve been meaning to post about couscous for a while so here it goes.
Couscous ticks many boxes for being a useful kitchen ingredient. Not only is it an economical bulking addition to meals but it has lots of health benefits. The main ones being that the grains are a good source of lean vegetarian protein as well as containing a decent amount of fiber.
So what to do with couscous? Traditionally the North African countries where couscous comes from serve it with a variety of meats or vegetables and rich sauces which are absolutely delicious. When I lived briefly in Paris as a graduate, I really loved eating at Algerian or Tunisian restaurants where the pièce de résistance on the menu was their lovely couscous dishes.

These days I either serve it well seasoned & lightly dressed with olive oil and lemon juice or incorporate it into a mixed salad to add some bulk and make the salad more substantial.
This salad dish was so nice, we ate it twice (leftovers are great too!).
Izzie’s Kitchen Couscous
Serves 4
Ingredients
3 prepared cups of couscous, fluffed with a fork to loosen the grains
1/2 orange pepper chopped
1/2 green salad pepper chopped
1 vine tomato chopped
1 handful of baby spinach, shredded finely with a knife
2 Persian cucumbers chopped
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
Salt and Pepper
Method
- Add the chopped vegetables in a bowl with the couscous.
- Add the olive oil, lemon juice & vinegar and season well.
- Toss to combine and serve with a generous garnish of shredded spinach.
I Love couscous. Your salad is simple but delicious
Thank you!
Cute, and a very healthy variation of tabouleh – thank you for sharing!
Yes and I forgot to put that info on the post, well remembered! Thanks
My pleasure, but I don’t know for what!
Couscous is one of my pantry staples. I love your idea of adding white wine vinegar to add to the acidity.
Thanks, it does add a zest to the dressing, that’s for sure!
Its so healthy and refreshing.I love this.
Thank you, it’s lovely and light to eat 🙂
I’m not familiar with it. Is it a gluten free grain?
Hi Jessica – couscous isn’t gluten-free as it is made from durum wheat but it’s a similar idea texture-wise to quinoa. Thanks!
Oh, thanks! That’s good to know! 🙂
Looks yummy 🙂
Thanks, it was!
Looks more like taboulé but it sounds delicious 🙂
Yes very similar to taboule! Thanks
My partner saw the photo and asked ‘Is it art or food? Or both?’ Both, I think!
My daughter Izzie can take the credit, she does most of my blog photos! Thanks
I’m drooling over this dish!
Thank you!