Mr O and I are continuing to work hard on our healthy eating so I’ve been making loads of salads. This couscous based one has been such a hit that it’s become an almost overnight lunch/dinner staple. The reason it’s called a “jewel” salad is because all the pretty colourful ingredients look like little jewels dotted through the couscous.
Moroccan couscous jewel salad
Adapted from mediterrasian.com
175g couscous
300ml boiling chicken (or vegetable stock if you want to make the recipe vegetarian)
2 tablespoons extra virgin oil
Juice of half a lemon
1 clove of garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 carrot peeled and grated
1 red or yellow pepper, diced
100g pomegranate seeds
1/4 red onion, diced
1 400g can of chickpeas, drained
1 tablespoon flat leaf parsley chopped
Place the couscous in a bowl large enough to hold all the ingredients. Pour over the chicken stock and cover the top of the bowl with clingfilm, a pot lid or a plate. Set aside.
Prepare the vegetables.
Put the olive oil, spices, salt and lemon juice in small bowl and whisk together.
Remove the covering from the couscous bowl and fluff with a fork. Pour in the dressing and stir through. Add the vegetables, pomegranate, chickpeas and parsley and mix well.
Serves 4
abbiosbiston 
I have a thing for chickpeas. I LOVE them. This salad looks incredible. I’ll have to make it
Mr O cannot get enough of it. He’s been demanding it weekly.
I haven’t had couscous in years. We had it at least three nights a week when I was a teenager, and I’m still burned out on it. So, cautionary tale there for you. 🙂
I think everyone has foods like that!
Wow even the name sound scrumptious! Mr O is one lucky bloke, Abbi 😉
Aww thanks! He does say part of the reason he married me was for the food!
Not only does it seem yummy, it’s actually a very pretty dish, too. Never had couscous in my life! The food so nice they named it twice!
You’ve never had couscous?? You should try it out it’s a great alternative to rice or pasta.
I made this yesterday for a family get-together. It received mixed reviews. I love it! It tastes even better the next day, I think. I’ll be making this again for sure. Thanks for another great recipe 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. It definitely improves with a little time to marinate. It’s quite exotic though so I can imagine it might not be for everyone.