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Tuesday, May 25, 2010

GastronomicGallivant: Algerian Couscous and Green Lentil Salad

Hello dears, how have you all been? Me, I have been feeling a bit under the weather. Cold and sore throat that has me croaking like a toad.A nose that has been runny like a leaky tap.:(.Have been too unhappy with life in general..so didn't get to make anything nice to blog about.
I made this quick couscous salad for lunch with leftover green lentil and gourmet tomatoes.
For people who are wondering what a couscous is, its not a grain. Its a minuscule spherical pasta granules made with coarsely ground durum wheat.According to Organic Planet, Couscous is a good source of protein, fiber, niacin, selenium, and B vitamins. For those looking for added health benefits, whole wheat couscous provides the additional fiber and protein of whole grain wheat.
This makes its way to RV's  Food For Ailments and Old Age and to Presto Pasta Nights held at The Crispy Cook.

Ingredients:
  • Whole Wheat Couscous - 1 cup, uncooked
  • Whole Green lentil - 1 cup, cooked with a little salt
  • Mini Gourmet Medley Tomatoes - a handful, halved and then quartered
  • Red Onion - 1, small, finely chopped
  • Juice of 1 lemon/lime
  • Olive Oil - 2 tbsp
  • Garlic Cloves - 2, small, slightly smashed
  • Cilantro - 2 tbsp, finely chopped, for garnish
  • Water - 1 1/4 cups
  • Salt - as needed
  • Coarsely ground black pepper - per taste
Procedure:
  • Bring the water to a roiling boil with a tbsp of olive oil, little salt and 2 cloves of garlic.
  • Switch off the stove and add the couscous and cover the pan. Allow the couscous to absorb the water for about 5-10 minutes.
  • Fluff the cooked couscous with fork.
  • Add cooked green lentil,  chopped onions, tomatoes to the couscous.
  • In another small bowl, whip the dressing with the juice of lemon.lime, a tbsp of olive oil, a little salt and pepper.
  • Pour over the couscous and gently mix. Garnish with Cilantro and serve warm.
Makes ~ 4 cups.

Enjoy!

62 comments:

  1. I just prepared some cold salad with couscous today, urs looks more healthier and prefect..Will try this combo next time..

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  2. I love all the little different colored tomatoes!

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  3. the cous cous and lentil sounds delicious. what else need for a healthy lunch..really good one
    i like couscous..first i was not using this one.now really love to have it with chicken sides too.

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  4. மிகவும் அருமையாக இருக்கின்றது...வாழ்த்துகள்...

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  5. I brought a packet of whole wheat couscous and I was still wondering what to do with it...now I can try your dish...looks very colorful and good :)

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  6. Nice and delicious looking salad. Love the presentation.

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  7. yummy one dear...lentils with couscous ...whta healthy brunch...looks bful and delcious dear..awesome color..pls collect ur award from my blog as a token of gratitude and love

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  8. Was wondering what happened to you...
    hope u get well soon and tht is quite a fancy dish you have managed to whip up..in spite of bein sick

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  9. I love couscous, will try this one out

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  10. Hey lassie,

    Get well soon!!!

    And yes, the salad looks so lovely n refreshing!

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  11. Hi dear, hru now? Hope U feeling better there! ;)

    Couscous salad looks really yumm ya! Taking some for me! :D

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  12. Never tried anything with couscous. This dish looks really colorful and tasty. Hope you get well soon..tc

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  13. Oh sweetie I hope you are feeling better! This couscous dish looks delicious. So colorful!

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  14. Nice and delicious looking salad. Love the presentation.

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  15. Lentils and couscous looks like a delicious combination.Hope you feel better soon.

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  16. I can't take my eyes off those tomatoes! Lovely couscous. Get well soon dear!

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  17. Hope you will get well soon, me too, having sorethroat and cold currently. This look so comfort!

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  18. Hey lassie..hope you feel better soon..

    Salad with coucous and tomatoes, looks great dear..

    Love
    Kairali sisters

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  19. The couscous looks pur-fect...
    Between hope u get well soon.
    Tk care dear.

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  20. this is one of my favorite salads.. looks so colorful!

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  21. Colorful, healthy salad. Tempting click. Hope you are feeling better now. Take care.

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  22. very colorful salad .just feel like grabbing it straight frm ur plate

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  23. salad looks colourful and healthy ..
    nice click :-)

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  24. Hope you are feeling better now dear. Very colorful and healthy salad. WOnderul click

    Deepa
    Hamaree Rasoi

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  25. very tasty n colorful salad...Just tempted to taste some.

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  26. Lassie, hope u feel good very soon. The couscous looks lovely with those cherry tomatoes. Make a tomato soup with garlic, jeera seeds and turmeric. Have this warm soup very ofter, once every hour. Your throat and nose will feel much better. Take care :)

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  27. This is right up my alley! Healthy, simple to prepare, and delicious. Thanks!

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  28. Looks lovely...hope you get better and feel better!

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  29. hope u get better soon...
    wonderful recipe and very healthy too

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  30. Salad looks really perfect and easy and healthy one.

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  31. Really colourful salad..that's what I want have now days...quick and healthy..hope you are ok..

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  32. Wishes for ur speedy recovery cl.Healthy salad looks so lovely .

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  33. Hope your are feeling better..Salad looks delicious and the cute little tomatoes are awesome..

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  34. All of your dishes on your blog are so colorful and artfully presented, including this gorgeous salad. Thank you for sending it over to Presto Pasta Nights this week. Look for the roundup on Friday.

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  35. Delicious couscous salad, so colorful with the tomato medley!

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  36. I'm sorry to hear that you have been sick... That stinks! Hope you feel better.

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  37. I love couscous! I like how bright, colorful and sunny this salad is.

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  38. Colorful, luks bright..nice presentation too. hope u r better now, nose leakage is sumthing cant tolerate..will feel so heavy..

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  39. Salad sure looks delicious and colorful!!

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  40. Am sorry to hear u were not well, but hope ur dnd very fine today!!
    Am very sorry , but my browser was refusing me access to blogger sites including mine...lol...
    Jus began slowly last night!!
    Sounds like a delightfully hearty salad and deliciously so too..
    love ur info on the little wheat wonders!!

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  41. never had Couscous. Is that the same as broken wheat? Looks so. Take care of ur cold and sore throat.

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  42. Oh, I love couscous! The dish looks scrumptious.

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  43. I do hope you're over your cold soon. I must say, though, that even sickly you take a fantastic photo and put together awesome looking dishes. Thanks for sharing this one with Presto Pasta Night.

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  44. A refreshing salad,love the vibrant tomatoes.Hope you feel better soon.Me and my little one also when through a very bothersome episode of sore throat last week.

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  45. Hey dear, I love couscous!How are you? I hope you are fine, Thanks for coming. Have a nice weekend. Kisses

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  46. très bonne salade.
    J'aime beaucoup.
    Je note.
    See soon

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  47. Wow looks sooooooo colorful and healthy..yumm yumm!!!

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Thanks a bunch for your valuable comments and continued support.They are very much appreciated. Yes,like "Rain on Dry Land" and like "Oasis in Desert Sand".
XoXo, Cool Lassi(e)