Description
A vibrant and flavorful Cranberry Couscous Salad featuring toasted pecans, fresh herbs, and a sweet-tangy dressing, perfect as a refreshing side dish for poultry or pork meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 can (15 ounce) chicken broth
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1½ cups uncooked couscous
- ½ cup pecan pieces
- ¼ cup chopped green onions (about 3 medium)
- 1-2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
Instructions
- Heat broth and spices: In a medium saucepan, combine the chicken broth, dried cranberries, ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, and ground cumin. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then remove from heat.
- Add couscous: Stir in the uncooked couscous, cover the pan with a lid, and let it stand for 15 minutes to absorb the liquid and flavors.
- Toast pecans: While the couscous is soaking, spread the pecan pieces on a small baking sheet and place under the broiler for 2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning. Remove and set aside.
- Fluff and chill couscous: Transfer the couscous to a serving bowl, gently breaking up any clumps with a fork. Refrigerate the couscous until chilled, about 30 minutes.
- Prepare dressing: Just before serving, whisk together the vegetable oil, apple cider vinegar, and honey to create the dressing.
- Combine salad: Fluff couscous again to loosen. Add the toasted pecans, chopped green onions, and fresh mint leaves. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat evenly.
Notes
- This salad pairs beautifully with pork, chicken, or turkey dishes, offering a fruity and nutty complement.
- For a vegan version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth and replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar.
- Toast pecans under close supervision as they can burn quickly under the broiler.
- Feel free to chill the salad longer for intensified flavors before serving.
- You can add a handful of chopped fresh parsley for an herbal boost if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 231 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 222 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 1 mg
